Gov. Corbett prepares to expand Medicaid. Or not expand Medicaid. Or expand Medicaid but not call it “expansion.” It’s complicated. Good morning politicos, happy Friday the 13th. Here’s the Buzz.

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

Report: Corbett to Expand Medicaid: Governor Corbett has reportedly decided to move forward with Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Update: It’s complicated.

Rendell Won’t Back Anyone in PA Gov Primary: The former Governor held a press conference after news broke that he will headline an event for EMILY’s List, a PAC that has endorsed Allyson Schwartz.

Judge Blocks Montco Same-Sex Marriage Licenses: Montco Register of Wills Bruce Hanes must stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a Pa. Commonwealth Court judge ruled Wednesday.

PA Gridiron Dinner Tickets Now Available: The 83rd annual off-the-record dinner will be held in Harrisburg on Oct. 15th. Be there.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Clerk Ordered to Stop Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
State House Sound Bites: House GOP Floats a Smaller Transportation Funding Plan
PA Independent: Frackers fired up by criminal charges in 2010 spill
PA Independent: Kane got campaign cash from firm challenging PA’s gay marriage law
State Impact: DRBC Head Carol Collier To Retire In 2014
Capitolwire: UMW endorsement shows Schwartz’s blue-collar appeal exceeding expectations.
Capitolwire: PA lawmakers wade into debate about ‘biosimilars.’

Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: Head of national teachers union joins City Hall protest over Philly school funds
WHYY Newsworks: What if Philly mayor could not appeal contracts without council’s approval?
WHYY Newsworks: Councilman wants to cap Philly real estate tax abatement
WHYY Newsworks: GOP crafts $500 million plan for Pa. transportation projects
Inquirer: Short of funding, SEPTA unveils doomsday plan
Inquirer: Party at Fumo’s house: Ex-aides invited
PhillyNow: New fight for Pennsylvania Medicaid expansion continues in Philly City Hall
CapitolInq: Casey: Putin op-ed “obnoxious”
Big Tent: Union backs Strouse for Congress in Pa. 8th
KYW: Montco Officials Consider Next Move In Effort To Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
phillydotcom: Goode Jr. opens up new front on Phila. schools’ cash crisis
phillydotcom: Philly City Council has its own plans for selling closed schools

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Montco stops issuing same-sex marriage licenses
Delco Times: Politically Uncorrected: Crunch time for Corbett and the Legislature
Delco Times: Parking tax closer to reality in Chester
Daily Local: Emotions run high as ‘Coatesville Remembers 9/11′
Daily Local: Coatesville schools need for time for newspaper’s requests

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Ravenstahl: Federal investigators ‘continue to ask questions and we continue to cooperate’
Post-Gazette: Slippery Rock president addresses budget shortfall concerns
Post-Gazette: Pa. judge orders halt to marriage licenses to same-sex couples
Post-Gazette: Steelers, SEA plan meeting to settle funding dispute for 3,000 new Heinz Field seats
Tribune-Review: Ravenstahl responds to chief of staff’s appearance before grand jury
Tribune-Review: Corbett reviewing options for Medicaid reform, not expansion, aides say
Urban Media Today: First City Council Candidate Forum 2013 – September 17 at The Union Project in Highland Park

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Area marks 9/11 anniversary
Altoona Mirror: Board approves contracts
Observer-Reporter: Carmichaels remembers Sept. 11, 2001
Observer-Reporter: Charleroi mayor steps down from beleaguered theater board
Observer-Reporter: Union Township sues Tomko over mining issue

NEPA
The Times Leader: W-B Area pact has costs, savings
Times-Tribune: Clarks Summit man charged for emailed death threat to Obama
Times-Tribune: Dunmore Democrats have a candidate for vacant council seat
Times-Tribune: Cabinet secretary outlines steps to stop ‘cash for convicts’
AP: Pa. judge orders end to same-sex marriage licenses

South Central
York Daily Record: Pa. lawmakers’ charity bike ride to go through York County
Patriot-News: Validity of same-sex marriage licenses unclear in wake of Pennsylvania court decision
Patriot-News: PennDOT applies the brakes to certain personalized license plates
Patriot-News: Ruling expected next week on ballot appeal by Harrisburg mayor hopeful Mindlin
Lancaster Intelligencer: Rep. Pitts defends oversight of Obamacare specialists
Roxbury News: Dan Miller – The Harrisburg Strong Plan “Smoke, mirrors and uncertainty.”
Record Herald: Quad State lawmakers share Interstate 81 concerns

Lehigh Valley
The Morning Call: Tom Corbett to propose Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania.
Reading Eagle: Casey pushing aid for locally-owned bridge
AP: New rule takes effect for jobless benefits in Pa.
WFMZ: Senator Casey proposes bridge funding bill
The Express Times: Two candidates apply to replace Macungie councilman who abruptly resigned

North by Northwest
AP: Senate panel OKs measure defining a journalist

Opinions
Post-Gazette: Break on Syria: The diplomatic option offers a new, hopeful path
Tribune-Review: Putin & Syria: What’s he up to?
Patriot-News: Here’s why I’d be a ‘no’ vote on Syria: Bill Shuster
Times-Tribune: U.S. must be ready to follow through on threats of force
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania should emulate Florida’s approach to teen smoking

Blogs
Keystone Politics: Who Does Don Sapatkin Think Would Save Money From Tom Corbett’s Medicaid “Reforms?”
John Hanger’s Facts of The Day: XTO Faces Criminal Charges For Drilling Wastewater Dumping And Ranks In Top 10 For Violations
Third and State: A Recovery for Some but not for All
Keystone State Education Coalition: Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for September 12, 2013