Happy Sequester Day! Today begin the automatic cuts that stem from the bipartisan ineffectuals in DC. In Pittsburgh, Mayor Ravenstahl still hasn’t addressed rumors that he won’t seek re-election. And the Pa. Progressive Summit starts today. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Don’t forget to check back later for the Ups & Downs.

The Latest: Insiders Say Ravenstahl Won’t Seek Re-Election: Rumors are swirling in the Steel City and over a dozen Democratic sources indicate to PoliticsPA that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will not seek re-election. Here’s the latest – and what it could mean for the mayoral race.

Preview: Pa. Progressive Summit: From the far left around Pa., progressives will gather in Harrisburg this weekend for their annual summit. It will be a key opportunity for prospective candidates to court the activist base of Democratic party. Here’s what to watch.

The Democrats “Nobody Problem”: “You don’t beat somebody with nobody.” In this column, Madonna and Young suggest the Democratic gubernatorial candidates could benefit from a primary.

PA Republicans Go 7-6 for VAWA Reauthorization: The US House passed Thursday a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. It enjoyed universal support from Democrats, but split the GOP caucus.

Wojcik Out, McVay in for Superior Court: One Pittsburgh Democrat is out and another is in for a Pa. Superior Court run. Attorney Michael Wojcik ended his bid Wednesday and Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jack McVay has thrown his hat in the ring.

Statewide
PA Independent: Partisanship edges out real Electoral College discussion
PA Independent: University officials: No need to know how we spend $500 million
PA Independent: Young, healthy people will pay more for health insurance
State House Sound Bites: For lawmakers, an interest in board reforms beyond Penn State
State House Sound Bites: Beer distributors putting up fight on liquor plan
Capitolwire: ‘Significant segments’ of state’s population are in for real shock due to Obamacare, say PA insurance officials
Capitolwire: Corman scolds PSU president for releasing Freeh Report without reviewing or defending it
Capitolwire: Democrats grill Commonwealth Secretary Aichele over lack of voter education money  Capitolwire: Secretary Aichele says AG Kane should defend Voter ID law
Capitolwire: Lawmakers, Secretary Tomalis debate new education funding formula

Philadelphia
AP: Sentencing set for Pa. high court justice, sister
AP: Dems chide administration for lack of voter ID
AP: Pa. county: New gun laws won’t apply here
Inquirer: Corbett touts anti-rape funding
Inquirer: Pa. sending new debit cards for jobless benefits
Inquirer: Major interstate pipeline firm wants to expand its network in Phila. area
The Big Tent: GOP electoral plan would dilute minority power in Pa., Dems say
Heard in the Hall: Council full of AVI ideas
PhillyClout: Council seeks relief for small businesses under AVI, aid for seniors
CapitolInq: Toomey, Durbin clash as sequester nears
WHYY Newsworks: At lager heads: Pa. beer distributors stoutly oppose Corbett privatization plan
WHYY Newsworks: Corbett hasn’t closed the door completely on Medicaid expansion in Pa.
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. lawmakers weight changes for governing state-related universities
WHYY Newsworks: People who have lost their homes could be hard-hit by sequestration cuts
WHYY Newsworks: Philly councilman proposes four-year phase-in of AVI
WHYY Newsworks: Business tax break proposed to offset Philadelphia property tax hikes
WHYY Newsworks: State AG’s office seeks OARC lawsuit dismissal [updated]
KYW Newsradio: Gov. Corbett gets vote of confidence from local women’s antiviolence groups
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia’s living wage law tweaked to include airport workers
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania’s top cop and AG Kane disagree on Mexican cartels
KYW Newsradio: Councilman Mark Squilla proposes an AVI phase-in

SEPA
AP: Aichele chided on voter ID funding
AP: How automatic federal budget cuts would affect Pa.
AP: Dems want more money spent to clear up voter ID confusion in Pa.
AP: Pa. judge who cleared officer of assault is married to a cop
Pottstown Mercury: Former Montco prosecutor admitted to special probationary program after DUI-related incident
phillyburbs.com: Meehan wants FAA to consider former Willow Grove base
Daily Delco Times: Senators Toomey, Casey put forth different sequester stopping bills

Pittsburgh
AP: Susquehanna County: New gun laws won’t apply here
WPXI: Chair of Democratic Party says Ravenstahl will not seek re-election
WTAE: Ravenstahl dealing with ‘personal issues,’ friend says
Tribune Review: Burn: ‘Extremely likely’ Ravenstahl will drop re-election bid
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh housing authority hires interim leader for full-time job
Tribune Review: Allegheny County executive reveals ‘vision team’ recommendations
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh councilman releases police job records; groups seek input on new chief
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh summer learning program avoids cuts
Post-Gazette: Mayor Ravenstahl’s absences raise questions
Post-Gazette: Opponents scuttle business tax in Lawrenceville
Post-Gazette: 39 candidates will stand for three alumni seats on Penn State trustees board
Post-Gazette: ‘Personal issues’ keeping Ravenstahl away from recent public events
KDKA: Mayor Revenstahl to Make Major Announcement about Future
KDKA: Democratic Mayoral Primary to be Affected by Ravenstahl’s Decision
KDKA: Sources: Mayor’s Mother Facing ‘Serious Health Crisis’
KDKA: Wine, Beer Could Be Sold Many Venues if Pa. Privatizes States Stores
KDKA: New Pet Food Stamps Program Gaining Popularity
Early Returns: Waiting; aka the hardest part
Early Returns: Breakfast Sausage: 5 stories to read this morning

Southwest
AP: Pittsburgh mayor’s absences prompting questions
Beaver County Times: Things You Should Know – Thursday
Beaver County Times: Aliquippa mayors and residents say NO to seismic testing
Altoona Mirror: Lt. Governor talks beer, budget during local stop
Altoona Mirror: Toomey, Casey discuss coming sequester
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Critz lands corporate job weighs future campaign

NEPA
The Times Tribune: No gamble for lottery consultants
News Item: Sequestration: Barletta rails over release of immigrants
Wayne Independent: Major to offer legislative services
Standard Speaker: Change must be transparent

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: New investment to bring tens of thousands to Allentown, Reading
Reading Eagle: Boone avoids cutting kindergarten, sports, above-index tax increase for now
Reading Eagle: PA pension executives met with lawmakers
Reading Eagle: Some parents want more guards in Wilson elementary, middle schools
Morning Call: Democrats reject Toomey sequester pla
Morning Call: Union: Allentown water, sewer lease will cause layoffs
Morning Call: Final Allentown water, sewer lease raises rate hikes, lowers fee
Morning Call: No decision on Lehigh County Authority extension

South Central
AP: Democrats chide Corbett aide for lack of voter ID info
Carlisle Sentinel: Authority approves pipe repair plan
Harrisburg Patriot News: Release of illegal immigrant detainees akin to communist Cuba move, says U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta
Harrisburg Patriot News: Corbett’s new prison reform: Tying contractors’ profits to public safety
Harrisburg Patriot News: More than 1K voters to cast ballots at new polling location in Silver Spring Township
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County to debate use of $350,000 in Marcellus money –  Ben
Harrisburg Patriot News: County leaders concerned mandatory federal cuts will hit services and programs hard
York Daily Record: BAE Systems could lay off 4,000 under sequestration
Roxbury News: Senator Rob Teplitz: A letter to District Attorney Marsico.

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News Campaign ’13 Blog: The Pennsylvania Democrats’ ‘nobody’ problem for 2014
Erie Times-News Campaign ’13 Blog: Sinnott, Grossman applaud decisions in Erie tax cases
Centre Daily Times: Erickson peppered with Freeh report questions at Senate Appropriations hearing
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Former city police officer seeks sheriff post
Opinions
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: Make liquor sales customer-friendly

Opinion
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Corbett pension plan is the path back to fiscal stability
Tribune Review: More sequester lies: Teachers & illegals
Tribune Review: The Thursday wrap
Post-Gazette: Hopeful exchange: Talks on Iran’s nuclear program take a new tone
Post-Gazette: Sequester madness: Congressional folly puts America at risk
Observer-Reporter: Some better than none
Reading Eagle: Budget overlooks increasing need for higher education
Daily News: DN Editorial: Sequester talk is just Congress acting like children
Daily Local News: Better known as the “Right to Work for Less”
Delco Daily Times: Sequester: Political pot is coming to a boil

Blogs
Keystone Politics: The Corbett Medicaid Climb-down Begins
Keystone Politics: The Insanity of Blaming the City of Harrisburg For Its Fiscal Woes
Keystone Politics: Ravenstahl Thinking About Dropping Out of #PGHMayor Race?
Keystone Politics: The Ultimate #AVI Tax Relief Plan: 77% of Philly Residential Properties Would Save Under Land Value Tax
Keystone State Education Coalition:  Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup For February 28, 2013