An internal poll for Pa. Governor, a slew of PA-Gov endorsements, and a special election. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

McGinty Poll: Schwartz Leads PA-Gov; McGinty 2nd: A poll commissioned by Katie McGinty’s gubernatorial campaign finds her in second place among Pa. Democrats behind Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz.

Sheet Metal Workers Endorse Schwartz: The Schwartz campaign announced they’ve received the endorsement of the state Sheet Metal Workers union.

Pawlowski Lists First Endorsements: The gubernatorial candidate received several endorsements, most of them from his own back yard.

Speaker Sets Jan 28 Date for Hess Seat Special: The special election to replace the late state Rep. Dick Hess will be January 28, Speaker Smith announced. One name has already emerged as a GOP candidate.

Reader Poll: Corbett’s Medicaid Plan: The Governor revealed yesterday that he will accept federal medicaid expansion funds, but only if those qualifying are given private insurance. What do you think?

Reader Poll: PA Should Stick With Its Election Cycle: Readers decided not to follow New Jersey and voted against off-year elections.

Legislative Election Updates:

SD-28: State Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) is retiring. So far business owner Scott Wagner is the only declared candidate to replace him. An anonymous writer this week sent letters to various York County politicos detailing some personal issues (divorce, etc) that brought Wagner into court – although the info included in the letters was abridged to paint a worse picture than court documents do. Full details from YDR.

HD-78: Speaker Smith set Jan. 28, 2014 as the date for the special election to replace the late Rep. Dick Hess (R-Bedford). So far minister and state committeeman Jesse Topper is the only GOP name in contention for the safe Republican seat.

Statewide
PA Independent: Three things to know about PA’s alternative to Medicaid expansion
State House Sound Bites: Corbett’s Medicaid plan taking friendly fire
StateImpactPA: Republicans Criticize Obama Energy Nominee
Capitolwire: Metcalfe slams Corbett’s healthcare push
AP: Pa. poverty rate inches up
AP: Pa. Lawmakers To Target Gay “Conversion” Therapy
AP: Study: Methane leaks from gas drilling not huge
AP: Kane’s top deputy defends her sister’s promotion

Philadelphia
PhillyClout: Despite recommendations, PICA approves Nutter’s five-year plan
PhillyClout: Philly state senators push minimum wage increase bill
PhillyClout: Councilman to Mayor: Lease city-owned sports boxes to raise $ for school supplies
Big Tent: Conservative lawmaker rips ‘one term Tom’ Corbett
CapitolInq: Toomey doubtful on new push on gun laws
Inquirer: New poll: Phila. residents give schools bad grades
Inquirer: PICA board says yes to Phila.’s 5-year plan
Daily News: Butkovitz urges rejection of city’s 5-year plan

SEPA
Phillyburbs: BKO Hunger surplus funds help ‘fill in the gaps’
Phillyburbs: Bristol Twp. sets bond parameters, rating downgraded
Phillyburbs: Fundraiser for cancer research coming up Saturday
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County Register of Wills to appeal state court decision on same-sex marriage licenses
Montgomery Media: Montgomery Township board changes definition for ‘family’
Montgomery Media: PHOTOS: ACPPA Community Art Center in Norristown hosts open house

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council bill would outsource off-duty hiring of officers
Post-Gazette: Ex-Pittsburgh mayoral candidate A.J. Richardson waives hearing on assault, drunkenness charges
Tribune-Review: Veon appeals BIG case, argues he shouldn’t pay taxpayers restitution

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Shuster challenged by Tea Party
Daily American: School district secession request may go to state Supreme Court
Beaver County Times: Local legislators react to Corbett’s health care plan
Beaver County Times: Politics and the ACA

Lehigh Valley
Express Times:Macungie council selects Marvin Moyer to replace Linn Walker
Pennsylvania Ave: Toomey: ‘Unclear’ if Navy Yard shooting changes background checks debate
Morning Call: U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey adds name to bills delaying Obamacare
Morning Call: Feds rejected Medicaid mandate Corbett proposed
Morning Call: Northampton County judge hears spat between county executive and council over Gracedale ambulance contract
Morning Call: Macungie Council fills vacancy with frequent critic
Reading Eagle: Health care law supporters distribute fliers to educate public
WFMZ: Governor Corbett visits Lehigh Valley Hospital
WFMZ: DA: Gov. Corbett’s liquor privatization plan is bad policy

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Dickinson College to host town hall with gubernatorial candidate
Carlisle Sentinel: CAEDC: County should pay fees for ‘duplicative’ audit
Patriot News: Pa. Supreme Court upholds law allowing abolition of county jury commissioners
Patriot News: Sen. Pat Toomey considers more steps to defund, dismantle healthcare law
Patriot News: Pa. court upholds unfair labor practice ruling against Berks County in prison union dispute
Patriot News: Corbett’s health care lite keeps Obamacare as 2014 campaign issue: column
Patriot News: Harrisburg City Council approval brings debt plan closer to implementation: 5 takeaways
Patriot News: Harrisburg City Council voting on incinerator sale
York Daily Record: Anonymous mailing draws attention to Pa. Senate candidate Scott Wagner’s family court disputes
York Daily Record: York County-area leaders react to Corbett’s Medicaid proposal
York Dispatch: Wrightsville hopes $4.7M makeover will draw more visitors
York Dispatch: Calif. congressman to speak at York County GOP dinner
Lancaster Intelligencer: Democrats, Republicans question Corbett’s health-care plan
Lancaster Intelligencer: Lancaster County commissioners support purchase of Harrisburg incinerator
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon School District targets federal funds
Roxbury News: Harrisburg City Council – Sale of the Incinerator
Roxbury News: Mayor Linda D. Thompson. Lincoln was here.
Today’s The Day Harrisburg: Harrisburg Strong Plan: Point to Ponder

NEPA
Press Examiner: Concerned citizens talk of ‘grand jury’
Daily Review: Troy councilwoman to testify on Prevailing Wage
FOX 56: Gun Manufacturer Looking To Move
Standard Speaker: State helping fund firm’s move from western Pa. to Humboldt

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Mayor and his team lash council leaders’ crime-fighting plan
Williamsport Sun Gazette: South Side council OKs single-stream recycling
Centre Daily Times: Centre County hires team for Centre Crest transition
Centre Daily Times:Open Philipsburg borough council seat filled

Opinions
Post-Gazette: Phony protection: Pa. politicians seek power on endangered species
Daily American: Needing welfare
Daily Review: Pennsylvanians deserve open meetings
News Item: Add audio option to legitimize executive sessions
Times Leader: Ban job discrimination for sexual orientation
Patriot News: Corbett rolls the dice with new Medicaid expansion plan: Editorial
Patriot News: With health insurance plan, Corbett can seize the political moment. But will he?: Editorial
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Income gaps can be catalysts
Daily News: DN Editorial: Tree’s company

Blogs
Lu-Lac Political Letter: Here we go again
John Hanger: Stunning fact: Coal usage has grown more than gas or oil over the last 40 years
Keystone Politics: McGinty poll shows a “very real potential to emerge victorious”
Keystone Politics: Health Providers: Paying us more money will save you money!
Keystone Politics: Don’t like CorbettCare? Stop it by voting for Democrats in 2014
Keystone Politics: John Morganelli thinks kids drink alcohol at the liquor store