Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz. It was a busy weekend in Pennsylvania politics – we are still distilling all the news from Republican State Committee. Electoral college updates, new candidates, and endorsements galore – stay tuned all day for the news.

Republican State Committee:

Asher for Rafferty: Republican National Committeeman and Pennsylvania power broker Bob Asher has thrown his support behind PA Senator John Rafferty for Attorney General.

Corbett on Electoral College Plan: Tom Corbett reiterated his support of Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi’s controversial changes to Pennsylvania’s electoral college on Saturday morning, but said he will, “keep an open mind.”

Santorum Wins PAGOP Poll: PA’s favorite son made good in the Republican State Committee’s presidential straw poll this evening, winning 36 percent of votes cast. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney came in second with 25 percent of the votes, followed by Texas Governor Rick Perry at 18 percent.

Gleason, Priebus Back Down? Republican infighting over proposed changes to the way Pennsylvania allots its Electoral College votes was one of the main story lines heading into GOP state committee this weekend. But the chairmen of the PA and national parties each backed off criticism of the plan.

Burns Likely for Senate Race: Tim Burns, the businessman who ran for Congress against Mark Critz in a 2010 special election and again in the general election, confirmed that he is seriously considering a bid for U.S. Senate.

Other news:

9/16 Ups & Downs: GOP proposals to tinker with PA’s electoral college have made national news. See who’s winning and losing the PR battle.

PA-Sen Forum: Marc Scaringi and John Vernon sought to win over conservative activists in Pittsburgh last night at the first panel or forum of the 2012 U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania.

What They’re Saying: From the halls of Harrisburg, to national news. Here’s the latest media coverage on the proposed Electoral College reform controversy.

Chief of Staff Spotlight: PoliticsPA is proud to present the 14th installment of our Chief of Staff Spotlight feature. This week, we talked to Patrick Lyden, CoS to Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8).

PA Tea Party Pres Survey: Romney may have won CNN’s GOP Tea Party Debate according to national polls but according to a recent survey, one of the largest PA Tea Parties prefers Perry.

Ridge Endorses Huntsman: According to the New Hampshire Union-Leader, Gov. Ridge will endorse Jon Huntsman today at an event in St. Anslem, New Hampshire. Updated with the announcement email from Ridge’s office.

National
CBS Philadelphia: First Day Of Teaching For Former Sen. Specter At Penn Law School
Early Returns: Mrs. Santorum: Obama Must Be Defeated

Statewide
Patriot-News: Experts Praise Gov. Corbett’s Handling Of Flood Crisis
Patriot-News: Central Pa. Farmers Suffer ‘Astronomical Losses’ As Result Of Floods
Capitol Ideas: Gov. Corbett Says Unspent Surplus Money Could Be Spent On Storm Cleanup
Commonwealth Confidential: Former Gov. Rendell and Oliver Norquist Debate Over Taxes & Infrastructure
Post-Gazette: Shale Drilling Fee High On To-Do List For Governor, Legislature
Times-Tribune: DEP Inspections Show More Shale Well Cement Problems
The Morning Call: Politics as usual
The Morning Call: Pileggi pushes for change in electoral vote allocation
Intelligencer: Corbett: Surplus Money May Be Needed For Cleanup
Intelligencer: PA Electoral Reshuffling Plan Not a Done Deal
The Morning Call: Corbett: use surplus on flood damage

Philly
CBSPhilly: Analysis- Mitt Romney and Rick Perry
CBSPhilly: Chester Republican & Governor Corbett Want New Rules for Electoral Votes
PhillyNow: PA Sen. Casey Breaks With Obama on Jobs Bill
Daily News: Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler wins national award
Inquirer: Bush, Perry rift roots in nixed in-law appointment
Inquirer: Corbett says he has an open mind on apportioning electoral votes

Philly Burbs
Bucks Local News: Mary Smithson honored by Pennsylvania State Association of Prothonotaries and Clerks of Courts
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners honor Bristol Riverside Theater’s 25th season
Bucks Local News: Fitzpatrick announces disaster recovery town halls to provide victims of hurricanes Irene and Lee with information
Montgomery News: State Rep. Matt Bradford to host job fair Sept. 22
DelcoTimes: Obama to offer his own deficit reduction package
DelcoTimes: Republican council hopefuls support small business
PhillyBurbs: Corbett: surplus money may be needed for cleanup
PhillyBurbs: Bucks County man seeks run at Casey

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Alcohol Policy Is Often Unwritten
Post Gazette: Impact Fee High On Corbett Priorities
Post Gazette: Pittsburgh Trying To Keep Up With Vacant Properties
Post Gazette: Interfaith Group Opposes Marcellus Shale
Early Returns: Maher Mulls Auditor General Run
Early Returns: RSC Meeting

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Running on Empty: Scranton Searches for Answers to Fiscal Crisis
Times-Tribune: In Duryea, Biden Lifts Spirits, Promises Help
Times-Tribune: For Those Near Rivers, Fear of Future Flooding
Times-Tribune: DEP Inspection Show More Shale Well Cement Problems
Times-Tribune: Local History: On Way to War, a Horrific Train Crash Kills 33
Times-Tribune: Child Seat Checkup Planned
Times-Tribune: Criticism of Levee Fees Subsiding, Commissioner Says
Times-Tribune: Funding Sought for Susquehanna River Flood Warning System
Times Leader: Flood Takes Emotional Toll
Times Leader: Important Numbers for Flood Victims
Times Leader: Saddest Day Recalled
Citizens Voice: Feds Take Blame in Gauge Flap
Citizens Voice: Funding for River Gauges Still in Jeopardy
Citizen Voice: Urban: Levee Fee Critics are Changing Their Minds
Wayne Independent: Week in Review: Marine Receives Medal of Honor
Wayne Independent: Bucks Cove’s $2,700 Steak Case Overturned on Appeal
Standard Speaker: City Zoning Board Denies Development Requests
Standard Speaker: Decision on Shared Coningham, Sugarloaf Twp. Services on Hold

South Central
Public Opinion: White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Visits Grandview Elementary Today
Fox Harrisburg: Mayor Thompson Calls Out City Council Members, Council Member Koplinski Responds
Public Opinion: Pa. Attorney General Reaches Settlement with Pharmaceutical Companies
Public Opinion: Pa. Treasury, DEP Lower Rates On Lower Rates on Loan Program to Help Flood Victims
Cumberlink: Former Pa. Secretary of state to be Guest Speaker at Hispanic Heritage Observance
Patriot News: Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson Says Some City Council Members ‘Have No Idea What They’re Doing’
Patriot News: Pa. Flooding From Tropical Storm Lee Raises Questions About Levee System
Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s Department of State Denies Inmate’s Request for a Copy of the State Constitution
Patriot News: GOP Debate is Cautionary Tale for Other States
AP, Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s Surplus Money May Be Needed For Flood Cleanup, Gov. Tom Corbett Says
Patriot News: Experts Praise Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s Calm During Flood
York Daily Record: States Struggle for Financing to Meet Road Needs
York Daily Record: Bioethicist Challenges Bachmann on Vaccine Claim
Lebanon Daily News: Poverty Fighting Program Probed

North by Northwest
Erie-Times News: Ex-judge Joyce stripped of pension over Erie fraud case
Centre Daily Times: CBICC to host county comissioner candidates

Lehigh Valley
The Morning Call: Lower Macungie to appeal court ruling that shot down Jaindl zoning
The Morning Call: Macungie Mayor may appeal ruling that gave him police powers

Southwest
Indiana Gazette: Churches Back Effort to Help Homeless
Daily American: Seven Springs Hosts Earth Friendly Fair
Altoona Mirror: Glendale Teacher Attends White House Speech
Tribune Democrat: Council and Housing Agency in Tussle
Times Online: School Working To Keep Students Nourished

Opinion
Times Leader: GOP Hopefuls Need to Work on Real Issues
Patriot News: Illegal Immigrant Crackdown Would Backfire on Pa.
York Daily Record: County Building Under Budget
York Daily Record: Really? iPads in City School Grant Request?
York Daily Record: Regain Unity of Post 9/11 Days
Inquirer: Ensuring Pa. Doesn’t count
Express Times: Tax policies need to change; Pa. should approve drilling tax
Erie-Times News: Dionne: Perry jousts with what passes as Republican establishment
Bucks Local News: What do you think of Pres. Obama’s new job plan he presented to Congress?
Delco Times: Pillegi’s Electoral College Idea: A Really Bad Idea
The Mercury: Time for Sestak to run for president
The Mercury: Liberals rely on ‘federal family’
Sun Gazette: Official misconduct

Blogs
Centre Square, WHYY Newsworks: How Aggressive Should Philadelphia’s War On Tobacco Be?
Lehigh Valley Rambling: State Supremes Clear Way to Moravian Village Expansion