Obama came to town and took a swipe at Gov. Corbett, a new super PAC spawns from the PAGOP, and a retirement in the state Senate. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Obama Knocks Corbett’s “Brutal” Education Cuts: President Obama took a swipe at the Pennsylvania’s education funding during remarks on college affordability in Scranton.
Kane Called Rising Star and Corrupt All in One Day: The Attorney General was named one of the Washington Post’s rising stars at the same time as she is being criticized for naming her sister to a new government position.
Cook Report Changes PA-12 Rating to Solid R: Mark Critz’s decision to run for Lieutenant Governor gave current Congressman Keith Rothfus’ re-election prospects a boost says one national observer.
8/23 Ups & Downs: A presidential visit gets the state in a tizzy, while internal polls get the political chatter going big time. Here are this week’s Ups & Downs.
Delco State Senator Erickson to Retire: Republican State Sen. Ted Erickson will not seek re-election in 2014, leaving open his seat in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Toretti Sets Up Super PAC to Support GOP Women: The prominent PA fundraiser and RNC member Christine Toretti is creating a Super PAC called Women Lead to target female Republican donors and candidates. The goal is to re-engage GOP women into politics.
Legislative Election Updates
HD-74: The new district in Coatesville, Chester County was drawn for a Democrat (the district moved from Clearfield County). One of the candidates, Josh Maxwell, had been unopposed for his Downingtown mayoral re-election this year. But by neglecting to file a form, he was denied his status as the write-in candidate on the GOP side. Now he has a Republican opponent in Tony Babcock. The tenor of Babcock’s opening salvo is unsurprising, given their history. “Knowing that Josh has a lot of higher political goals, including his intentions to run for State Rep again next year, I ultimately had to ask myself is it good for the town to elect a mayor to only serve one year before moving on to the next stepping stone,” he said.
Statewide
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: Erickson retirement sets off 3-way GOP battle in Delaware County
Capitolwire: Lack of transportation funding leads to bridge closings
PA Independent: PA Week in Review: Bridges get restricted, Democrats look to 2014
PA Independent: CDC opposes liquor store privatization in PA
PA Independent: Bridges of Monroe County: New PA weight restrictions hit area hardest
StateImpactPA: Obama Stays On Message As Protesters Attempt To Force Fracking Issue
StateImpactPA: Fellow Republicans Slam State Senator Over ‘Ignorance’ Comment
Philadelphia
Big Tent: Poll: Schwartz top Dem in Pa. gubernatorial
Big Tent: Sen. Bob Casey gets effusive praise from VP and President
Inquirer: District, city at odds over selling buildings
Inquirer: Obama, in Scranton, blasts the GOP
Inquirer: Pa. Sen. Erickson won’t seek reelection
Inquirer: A battle to bury remains of the ‘Gosnell babies’
SEPA
Phillyburbs: Community activist to run for Middletown supervisor
Phillyburbs: A day to march and remember MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech
Phillyburbs: Neshaminy issues business tax reminder
Montgomery Media: New Souderton Area School District Superintendent Frank Gallagher gears up for the new school year
Montgomery Media: Colonial School District students shine at Technology Student Association National Conference
Montgomery Media: Lower Moreland School District sees new faces on staff
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Equality tops protesters’ agenda
Post-Gazette: Fracking health numbers put to debate
Post-Gazette: Natural gas study looks at long-term health impacts in Washington County
Tribune-Review: Pa. GOP sets sights on black, Hispanic voters
Tribune-Review: Allegheny County councilman continues push for ballot question on drilling at parks
CBS: City Gets Advice on International Airport Gas Drilling
Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Shuster attempting bill without earmark aid
Altoona Mirror: Churches protecting against gay marriages
Altoona Mirror: Cranking up stalled transportation act
Observer-Reporter: Washington residents attend 50th anniversary rally
Observer-Reporter: Common Core heading to classrooms despite debate
NEPA
Pocono Record: President hones in on college issues.
Citizen’s Voice: County controller candidates interviewed.
Citizen’s Voice: Educators, lawmakers discuss Obama college plan.
Citizen’s Voice: Schools would feel impact of changes to charities law.
Citizen’s Voice: Stevens elevation spurs new Act 13 dispute.
Citizen’s Voice: Obama talks education, jabs at Corbett, GOP.
AP: Fracking health project puts number to debate.
Times-Tribune: Local farmland preserved by state program.
Times-Tribune: Protesters assemble in Scranton to get the attention of President, speech attendees.
Times-Tribune: Residents and visitors have brushes with fame at Obama speech
Times-Tribune: At Susquehanna County restaurant, presidential visit a treat.
Times-Tribune: Young guns busy getting the scoop at Obama event.
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Toomey to hold four town hall meetings in Pennsylvania next week.
Morning Call: Lehigh County residence remember march on Washington.
Reading Eagle: Penn Square rally calls for legalization of marijuana.
WFMZ: Obama focuses on college message in visit to Pennsylvania.
WFMZ: Group calls for Charlie Dent to pass immigration reform.
South Central
Patriot News: PA School Board Association interest group to receive state pensions.
Patriot News: PA Supreme Court to weigh in on Kindergarten attendance case.
Patriot News: PA Democrats dismiss GOP fracking attacks.
Lebanon Daily News: 30 Richest Members of Congress
North by Northwest
Erie Times News: Erie lawyer challenges courthouse search
Centre Daily: Plenty of school changes in place for local students
Sun Gazette: Petitions against drilling in forest delivered
Sun Gazette: Commissioners Ok CDBG projects
Sun Gazette: Local bridges affected by weight posting changes
Opinions
Patriot News: 5 Takeaways from Obama and Biden’s visit to Scranton
Today’s the Day: Homeless Veterans in Harrisburg? What to do.
Morning Call: Clinton would beat Biden, even in Scranton.
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Crisis requires union action
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Toomey shows the way for other lawmakers
Post-Gazette: Academics skeptical of Obama’s message on higher education
Blogs
Pittston Politics: Bernadi makes it official, union talks at a halt
Keystone Politics: The Point Breeze Organizing Committee, Loser Liberalism, and Housing Scarcity
Keystone Politics: Failure to Pass a Transportation Bill About to Start Biting Into PA Job Growth