All the Democratic gubernatorial candidates come to state committee in Montco. And in DC, the government grinds toward a shutdown. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Don’t forget: lawmakers play a charity game of softball tonight at 5:30. Catch it on PCN.

Democratic State Committee Wrap-up & Rumors: Hundreds of committee members, candidates, operatives and more gathered this weekend at Democratic State Committee. Here’s a rundown of the leads and rumors of the weekend.

9/27 Ups & Downs: Lawmakers are back in session in Harrisburg and DC; hilarity ensues. Plus some Good sports news for PA and the Dem primary for PA-Gov make this week’s list.

Dem Guv Hopefuls Work the Room at State Committee: Gubernatorial hopefuls packed the room Friday night as the Pennsylvania Democratic Party sold out the first annual Jackson Jefferson dinner at the Valley Forge Casino Resort.

Schwartz Names Campaign Manager: Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz hired a campaign manager and named a few other senior staff for her gubernatorial effort.

Toomey Joins Conservatives to Oppose Cloture on CR: Senator Pat Toomey joined a small group of conservative Senators including Ted Cruz and Rand Paul in an effort to block cloture on a bill that would prevent a government shutdown.

Trio of PA-Gov Endorsements: Allyson Schwartz, Rob McCord and Tom Wolf each pulled in an endorsement ahead of this weekend’s Democratic State Committee meeting.

New Corbett Web Ad is Out of This World (With Video): The new spot touts the state’s natural gas industry as a worldwide source of energy.

Koplinski Rolls Out 86 New LG Endorsements: The list includes former Congressman Joe Hoeffel and former Treasurer and Auditor General Barbara Hafer.

Pelosi Makes Fundraising Pitch For Strouse: The House Minority Leader made a personal appeal for Kevin Strouse’s 8th district congressional campaign today.

Legislative Election Updates

HD-81: State Rep. Mike Fleck (R-Huntingdon) will run for re-election next year. He participated in a big New York Times feature about his personal story that published over the weekend, and posted this YouTube video announcement. He has to watch his right flank in the conservative rural district, including against Huntingdon County Treasurer Rich Irvin. However, if Fleck draws a primary, it’s not necessarily a statement on his sexual orientation (although that fact undoubtedly will bolster the chances of any challenger). Fleck took lumps from the right more than a year before he came out as gay, mainly for his votes in favor of Rendell-era budgets Capital Budget spending.

Statewide
New York Times: The Log Cabin Republican (state Rep. Mike Fleck) – Keegan
Capitolwire: Dem Gov candidates talk Dem fracking moratorium, attack Corbett
Capitolwire: Justice Baer endorses GOP retention judges as well as his fellow Democrats on statewide judge slate
PA Independent: Week in Review: Lawmakers back in action in Harrisburg, another candidate in 2014 field
PA Independent: PA House passes cuts to cyber charter schools
StateImpactPA: Company Cancels Plans For Southeast PA Pipeline Carrying Imported LNG
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia, The Grassroots Anti-Fracking Movement’s New Old Front

Philadelphia
CapitolInq: Local lawmakers split on House plan as shutdown nears
CapitolInq: Toomey sides with GOP hard-liners in key funding vote
WHYY Newsworks: Rendell weighs in on Philly casino plans
WHYY Newsworks: Councilman Kenney seeks restored rank for demoted Philly firefighters
WHYY Newsworks: Casey warns of dire consequences from congressional showdown over Obamacare
KYW: Philadelphia Community Calls For Unity In Fight To Stop Gun Violence

SEPA
Bucks Local: Bucks County Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick calls for one-year delay of ‘ObamaCare’
Montgomery Media: Wissahickon School Board puts new high school plans on hold
Montgomery Media: Lower Gwynedd Township Board of Supervisors approves zoning amendment to Dow Chemical site to allow for multiple tenants
Montgomery Media: Jenkintown Borough Council, residents talk zoning, rain water issues, tree revitalization
Montgomery Media: Norristown council endorses comprehensive immigration reform
Montgomery Media: Lansdale council debates LED sign application
Philly Burbs: Lumberton civic leader gets the kind of memorial he would have appreciated

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Halt to college faculty cuts sought
Post-Gazette: Sen. Rubio blocks nod for judge, a Western Pa. native, to federal bench
KDKA: Unlikely Pair of Legislators Offer Solution to UPMC-Highmark dispute
Tribune Review: Beaver County woman accused of duping Medicare for $200K
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania education officials delay release of school performance scores
Tribune Review: Casey eyes recovery of Penn Hills pilot, other military lost overseas
Tribune Review: As enrollment for Obamacare arrives, act remains a hard sell

Southwest
AP: State braces for possible shutdown
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmakers form ‘Coal Caucus’

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Democrats set sights on governor’s race
Morning Call: State eliminates mandate for graduation projects
Morning Call: Dent trying to avert a government shutdown
AP: Democratic candidates’ focus may leave Corbett

NEPA
Times Leader: Mericle’s donations draw questions
Times Leader: Dem campaign focus may shift from Corbett
Times Leader: Urban worried about levee fee increase
Times-Tribune: Newspaper’s investigation finds municipal pension plans underfunded
Times-Tribune: Scranton’s new amusement tax has come up empty so far this year

South Central
Patriot News: Democrats’ hope for civil gubernatorial primary permeates weekend gathering: column
Patriot News: Corbett reps meet with feds, have no idea when Medicaid might be used for Pa.’s uninsured
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration is monitoring federal budget talks and potential for shutdown
Patriot News: Rep. Glen Grell to unveil a pension reform proposal on Monday
York Daily Record: As Oct. 1 nears, still questions about Obamacare
Lancaster Intelligencer: Lancaster County officials got pay raises in 2013, even if they didn’t want them
Lancaster Intelligencer: The $100,000 club: 13 highest paid Lancaster County government employees

North by Northwest
Meadville Tribune: Group of lawmakers form ‘Coal Caucus’ to oppose new coal plant limits
Daily Item: Department of Education corrects numbers, delays evaluation system
Erie Times-News: Casey: #AJO
Sun-Gazette: Commissioners forgive more than $12,000 in taxes
Venango County Daily News: Lawmaker Wants To Strengthen State Dog Law
Venango County Daily News: Online Service Now Available For Replacement PA. Drivers Licenses, Photo I-D’s
Punxsutawney Spirit: Rep. Smith issues statement on Brockway shooting
Bradford Era: Third Circuit Denies Appeal In ANF Mineral Rights Case
Bradford Era: Area VA Offices Prepare For Potential Government Shutdown
Times Observer: Commissioners plan paving at Youngsville justice office

Opinions
Times-Tribune: There will be some debate
Sun-Gazette: Highway and bridge improvement plan is long overdue
Patriot News: Miller’s challenge to financial recovery plan doesn’t help Harrisburg: Editorial

Blogs
Midweek Wire: 8th district Dems split on permanent fracking ban
John Hanger’s Facts of The Day: Building Two New Nukes By 2016 In Texas Would Be Big News, But Constructing That Much New Wind Draws Yawns
John Hanger’s Facts of The Day: Stunning Fact: NYC Air Is Cleanest In 50 Years, Saving 800 Lives/Year–See Why
Above Average Jane: Creepy Uncle Sam Videos
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Former Bank Prez Charged in $10 Million Ponzi Scheme
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: NorCo GOP Meeting Ends With Call to 9-1-1
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Lehigh County’s Crumbling Bridges Blamed on GOP Comm’rs
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: LV Building Trade Unions Pick Hunter Over O’Donnell
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Donovan Won’t Take King Edwin’s BM
Keystone Politics: Resist the Opportunity for Political Gamesmanship and Pass the Transportation Funding Bill
Keystone Politics: Earth to Corbett: Natural Gas Employment Only 0.5% of the PA Workforce
Keystone Politics: Replay: Property Tax Swap Creates a Dilemma for Liberals
Keystone Politics: #PA15: Charlie Dent to Party with Bono at Anti-Poverty Concert Days After Voting for $40 Billion in Food Stamp Cuts
Lu Lac Political Letter: A Frantic Friday
2 Political Junkies: Scaife, The Trib, And The NIPCC
2 Political Junkies: Josh Wanders the Road Less Traveled to Election Day `
Bals Blog: Lose with Cruz
Pittston Politics: Smiles has challenge for Congressman Cartwright