Steve Urban, a councilman for Luzerne County, confirmed with PoliticsPA Thursday that he is circulating petitions to run for U.S. Congress. He would be representing the recently redistricted PA-17.

PoliticsPA previously reported that Steve was circulating petitions. We reported then that if Urban enters the race, it would be a big boon to Holden. He would likely split the Lackawanna-Luzerne bloc that is key to Cartwright’s campaign.

Urban, 59, would face Rep. Tim Holden, the number two most senior Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. Holden most recently made national headlines when he withdrew support for the Stop Online Piracy Act.  

There is currently another Democrat in addition to Rep. Holden in the race. Moosic-based attorney Matt Cartwright jumped into the race for the 17th Congressional District, he formally declared his candidacy on Jan. 24.

When asked about the most important issues for the PA-17 campaign, and to the region he would be representing if elected, Urban cited the economy, local businesses and regional growth —all part of the same problem in one way or another.

Stephen is currently working in Luzerne County, but spent 24 years in the U.S. Army, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, and also was deployed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. More recently, Urban worked at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. for four and a half years.

Urban had the following to say about Matt Cartwright. “I don’t think he’s ever run for public office before,” he said. When asked about he’s outlook on the race and how he felt he would fare, Urban said: “You’ve always got to run like you’re behind in the race.”

“I know the district well,” said the Wilkes-Barre resident. “People in the area know my name from fighting corruption in Luzerne County.”

Prospective candidates, it’s not over yet. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rendered its much-anticipated redistricting ruling Friday afternoon but declined to lay out a specific way forward for the 2012 elections.

The Court cited an excess in municipal divisions as its chief complaint with the plan.

“We are not in a position to predict when the LRC will complete its task of developing a new final redistricting plan that complies with law, nor when such a new plan can become final and have force of law,” the Court ruled. “Any issues respecting deferring the state legislative primary, or scheduling special elections, etc., are, in the first instance, the concern and province of the political branches. Such questions have not been briefed and presented to this Court.”

The court ruled last week 4-3 to remand the map back to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission.

Lawmakers are still absorbing the decision, but prior to the ruling Republicans were intent in enacting the new lines prior to the 2012 primary. The 2001 lines would negate the GOP’s efforts to shore up incumbents via redistricting. On the legal side, Republicans argue that the vast shift in population since 2001 means that those lines would violate constitutional provisions one man, one vote. Additionally, Latino groups have argued that the 2001 are illegal on the grounds that they do not reflect minority populations in Pa.

Democrats, on the other hand, say there is no way for the LRC to resubmit a map and put it forward for a 30 day review period in time for the April 24 primary, and are pushing for the 2001 lines.

A split between the state and federal primaries is unlikely, indicated one Republican, but said a measure to delay the primary would require a relatively simple change to the election code.

More about the decision

The ruling follows more than a week of confusion from lawmakers and prospective candidates. But the Court was direct in pointing the blame at the Legislative Reapportionment Commission which, despite technological advancements, the 2011 Commission took weeks longer than previous ones. (23 days longer than 2001, 27 days longer than 1991).

As to why this plan passed the muster as opposed to the 2001 plan, which was also challenged but Castille voted to uphold, the court said it was a matter of the fact that the 2001 challenges were piecemeal. The challenges this year, namely than by citizen activist Amanda Holt, challenged the plan as a whole.

The problem was not, as some suspected, the LRC’s decision to move districts from some parts of the state to others.

Finally, the LRC needn’t prioritize population equality at the expense of other considerations, the Court said.

“Embrace contiguity, compactness, and the integrity of political subdivisions, no less than the command to create legislative districts as nearly equal in population as ‘practicable.’”

Pennsylvania’s Senate delegation split Thursday, with one Senator voting against the other’s legislation.

The Earmark Elimination Act of 2011, introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), was voted down 59-40 in the Senate. Among those opposed: Sen. Bob Casey.

The bill would effectively finish off the practice of earmarking. Earmarks, the allocation of federal money for specific home-front projects and organizations often buried deep in congressional bills, have been under a moratorium for over a year now.

Casey’s office said he supports a ban on earmarks – the one currently in place.

“Senator Casey supports the earmark ban that has been in effect for the current Congress and he is pleased that the ban is being extended through next year,” said spokesman Larry Smar.  “He has consistently supported a number of measures to clean up the process to make it more transparent and accountable to taxpayers.”

But one of Casey’s prospective Republican opponents, Steve Welch, blasted him for opposing Toomey’s legislation – and a similar measure back in 2010.

“This shows once again how addicted Bob Casey has become to Washington’s corrupt culture of wasteful spending,” Welch said in a statement. “If Casey is unwilling to vote against the most outrageous, the most wasteful, and the most secretive type of Washington spending, then there is no hope that he will ever do what’s necessary to tackle our $15 trillion national debt.”

NDIC Closing

Back in Pa., where the rhetoric on spending cuts meets the road, both Casey and Toomey criticized a decision by the Department of Justice to close the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown. While not an earmark, many critics of government spending have characterized the NDIC as a pork barrel project. Supporters have said it serves a valuable purpose and means 180 jobs for the area. It was a casualty of Republican-backed spending cuts in November.

“The NDIC has played a crucial role in fighting drug trafficking and gang violence in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation,” said Casey in a statement. “Closing the facility will hurt jobs and the economy throughout the region in addition to hampering the efforts of local law enforcement.”

Early into his term, Toomey departed from conservative orthodoxy on NDIC. He echoed Casey’s concerns.

“It is extremely disappointing that the Obama administration has decided to shut down the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown,” said Toomey in a statement. “As I have repeatedly told Justice Department officials, the NDIC serves an essential function and maintaining its operations in Johnstown is better for taxpayers than relocating those operations elsewhere. Among other reasons, it is also why I voted against the appropriations bill last November that enabled this administration to wind down the NDIC.”

Welch declined to comment on the NDIC.

We’re not really sure what to make of this. Is the NRCC rooting for Mark Critz?

“Will Jason Altmire follow Shuler’s lead and just retire now rather than face the embarrassment of being unelected in the primary?” The release asks.

Altmire has $852,292.22 on hand. His prospective GOP opponent Keith Rothfus, who he defeated in the Republican wave year of 2010, has $196,086.20 on hand.

He’s facing fellow Democrat Mark Critz in the primary. They share a career party loyalty vote rating in the neighborhood of 80 percent.

Update 2:00pm: Altmire’s CM Angela Ruslander responsed to the NRCC release.

“The message is clear: the NRCC believes they can beat Mark Critz. Unfortunately for them, the NRCC’s wishful thinking is all for naught. With a 16-point lead in the polls and a nearly two-to-one cash advantage, Jason Altmire is going to win the primary. Having failed 3 times to beat Altmire in a Republican-leaning district, it should come as no surprise that the NRCC is openly rooting for Critz.”

Update 4:30pm: Before the Altmire camp runs too far away with the release, it is fair to note that he is an official, card-carrying member of the Blue Dog Coalition. Critz is not. He voted against Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House:

“Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania was the first Democrat to cast his vote against Pelosi, and did so loudly and with a defiant expression, adding an element of suspense to the usually boring roll call vote for speaker and minority leader, which goes member by member, calling the name of all 435 lawmakers.”

Here’s the whole release image included:

Happy Friday!

Heading into the weekend, consider the following.

Yesterday, Congressman Health Shuler in North Carolina became the latest “Blue Dog” Democrat to announce his retirement, a move that his own colleague Congressman Kurt Schrader described as a “crushing blow” to the vulnerable group.

The Blue Dogs’ ranks are rapidly diminishing, as voters in their districts realize they have been fraudulently campaigning as moderates only to turn their backs on constituents by voting with Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama back in D.C.

Today’s Roll Call lays out how bad things are for the Blue Dogs: “The once-mighty fiscally conservative group was a thorn in the side of Democratic leaders while the party was in the majority following the 2006 elections, but the Blue Dogs lost scores of members to the bruising 2010 midterms, a trend that will continue as a wave of retirements has hit them.”

So, will Jason Altmire follow Shuler’s lead and just retire now rather than face the embarrassment of being unelected in the primary?

“Altmire has played a game of wag-the-dog for too long, scamming voters by campaigning as a moderate and then rolling over for Obama back in Washington. Voters need a watchdog, not a lapdog. It’s time for Altmire to follow the lead of his Blue Dog colleagues and retire before he finds himself in the doghouse come primary day.” – NRCC spokesman Nat Sillin

Pa. Supreme Court. Come ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.
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Tom Smith. In the wake of Tim Burns’ departure from the GOP Senate primary, each campaign has argued that it’s a boost to them. We think it helps Smith the most. Burns would have taken part of the western Pa. vote that Smith now has virtually to himself. Additionally, with Casey’s Q4 numbers in, it emerged that Smith has more cash on hand than the Senator.
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Tom Corbett. On the campaign trail, Corbett whacked the health care law. But this week, the rubber met the road – as it so often does when actually governing. The administration applied for federal funding under ‘Obamacare.’ His ‘up’ comes courtesy of GOP state committee. His successful vote whipping for Steve Welch showed that he is top dog in the party.

Joe Scarnati. The Senate Pro Tem had hoped to get a Marcellus deal in place in time for Governor Corbett’s budget address on Feb. 7. Well, that ship has pretty much sailed. Plus, 9 GOP state senators came out against a provision – prioritized by the industry – that state rules for drilling superceded local ones.
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The Q4 numbers are in. Who’s on track and who needs to catch up? We break down the 2011 fundraising of every incumbent member of Congress and challenger in Pa.

Winners:

Pat Meehan. A million dollars on hand and no serious challenger in sight. Not too shabby.

Allyson Schwartz. The ultimate team player for the DCCC, Schwartz continues to bring in the bucks.

Manan Trivedi. The challenger has big ground to cover against Jim Gerlach, but he has done very well thus far – thanks in large part on his cultivation of Indian American donors.

Tim Murphy. He’s never had a tough primary or general. If he maintains his million dollar edge, that trend will continue.

Losers:

Mark Critz. The incumbent has lots of new constituents to introduce himself too, but he’s off to a slow start in the cash department – he trails Jason Altmire by over $350K.

Tim Holden. All of a sudden he has a serious primary race. His campaign says its on track to win in April, but you better believe that fundraising is a top priority.

Evan Feinberg. He’s been getting tons of earned media, but he’s facing a yawning gap when it comes to fundraising. An uphill climb is a given when primarying an incumbent, but he’s at a million dollar disadvantage.

Mike Kelly. No freshman Republican, who rode the GOP tide of 2010, should end a quarter barely breaking even. Kelly barely avoided a net loss in Q4. He can expect a call from the NRCC.

Here’s the full list. Incumbents are ranked by total raised in 4th quarter. Challengers paired with incumbents. Note: challengers who declared since the new year did not file fundraising reports.

Allyson Schwartz (D-13, Montgomery) leads the way. In 2011, she raised $1,500,201.92. Schwartz’s cash on hand is $2,309,896.07. She raised a total of $385,124.99 in the 4th quarter.

Pat Meehan (R-7, Delaware) follows closely behind Schwartz with his total 2011 funds raised at $1,297,825.65. Meehan’s cash on hand comes out to $969,413.17. He managed to raise a total of $312,725.00 in the 4th quarter.

Jason Altmire (D-4/12, Allegheny) raised $1,138,136.83 in 2011. Altmire’s cash on hand is $852,292.22. From October through the end of December, Altmire raised $180,745.00.

Challenger: Keith Rothfus, R-Allegheny is the sole Republican in the race to face the winner of the Altmire-Critz primary. He raised $240,385.00 in 2011. $56,005.00 was raised in the 4th quarter. Rothfus holds $196,086.20 on hand.

Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8, Bucks) raised $1,099,692.91 in 2011. $248,040.00 of the total was raised in the 4th quarter. Fitzpatrick’s cash on hand is $678,482.94.

Jim Gerlach (R-6, Chester) raised a total of $1,057,184.57 in 2011. In the 4th quarter alone, Gerlach raised $278,182.00. His total cash on hand is $600,602.22.

Challenger: Gerlach’s Democratic opponent Manan Trivedi, D-Berks raised $214,984.20 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, $112,435.30 was raised. Trivedi has $212,731.64 currently in cash on hand.

Tim Murphy (R-18, Allegheny) brought in $940,587.90 in total fundraising in 2011. Murphy raised $263,525.00 in the 4th quarter. He has $1,044,683.82 at his fingertips.

Challenger: Murphy’s primary opponent Evan Feinberg, has raised $50,005.12 in 2011 (The same amount for the 4th quarter). Feinberg currently has $40,049.28 cash on hand.

Mark Critz (D-12, Cambria) raised $869,088.25 in 2011. $130,635.41 was raised in the 4th quarter. Critz has $465,496.14 at hand.

Charlie Dent (R-15, Lehigh) raised $705,666.04 in 2011. His 4th quarter funds totaled out to $186,290.00. Dent has $353,707.94 cash on hand.

Challenger: Dent’s Democratic opponent Jackson Eaton raised $94,569.84 in 2011 (the same amount for the 4th quarter). Eaton has $90,628.39 cash on hand.

Joe Pitts (R-16, Chester) raised $649,718.70 in 2011. $168,299.90 was raised in the 4th quarter. Pitts has $407,094.82 on hand.

Lou Barletta (R-11, Luzerne) raised $633,780.76 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, Barletta brought in $146,378.98. He has $269,498.39 cash on hand.

Challenger: Barletta’s prospective Democratic opponent Bill Vinsko, D-Luzerne raised $105,546.91 in 2011. $20,574.75 was raised in the 4th quarter. He has $52,786.21 on hand.

Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-5, Centre) raised a total of $622,063.61 in 2011. $118,970.77 was raised in the 4th quarter. Thompson has $160,266.64 on hand.

Bill Shuster (R-9, Blair) raised $617,270.27 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, $229,069.56 was raised. Shuster has $367,189.10 cash on hand.

Mike Kelly (R-3, Butler) raised $497,725.36 in 2011. $103,231.84 was raised in the 4th quarter. Kelly’s cash on hand is $226,619.96.

Tim Holden (D-17, Schuylkill) raised $480,190.73 in 2011. $99,885.68 was raised from October to the end of December. Holden holds $337,274.14 cash on hand.

Tom Marino (R-10, Lycoming) raised $377,758.57 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, Marino raised $68,717.76. Marino’s total cash on hand is $194,781.74.

Mike Doyle (D-14, Allegheny) raised $369,159.00 in 2011. $114,039.00 was raised in the 4th quarter. Doyle currently has $271,380.29 cash on hand.

Bob Brady (D-1, Philadelphia) raised $276,525.00 in 2011. Brady raised $102,300.00 in the 4th quarter. His cash on hand is $758,355.26.

Challenger: Brady’s Democratic opponent Jimmie Moore raised $64,657.06 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, Moore was able to raise $27,937.06. Moore has a mere $3,977.89 cash on hand.

Finally, Chaka Fattah (D-2, Philadelphia), raised $261,345.84 in 2011. $69,775.00 was raised in the 4th quarter. Fattah’s total cash on hand is $120,714.57.

Keegan Gibson contributed to this report.

PS. Enjoy the Super Bowl this weekend. If only they could somehow both lose.

2011 Fundraising Winners and Losers: The Q4 numbers are in. Who’s on track and who needs to catch up? We break down the 2011 fundraising of every incumbent member of Congress and challenger in Pa.

Burns Exits Senate Race: Tim Burns has dropped out of the U.S. Senate race. He had defiantly pressed on in the immediate aftermath of GOP state committee’s decision to endorse rival Steve Welch, but ultimately decided against a run.

Is Raja Back? Check the Election updates below for more details, but sources indicate the Allegheny Exec candidate is running for office again.

Keegan on PCN: Did you miss PoliticsPA Managing Editor Keegan Gibson’s appearance on PCN on Tuesday? The topic: the 2012 presidential election as it affects Pa. Watch it here.

PA Dems Ding Romney: As Republicans choose their nominee, Democrats from DC to Pa. haven’t taken their eye off the ball: Mitt Romney. Pa. Dems organized a conference call Thursday afternoon to critique Romney’s health care and entitlement program policies.

Critz Endorsement: In the intensifying Democratic primary race for the new 12th congressional district, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare endorsed Rep. Mark Critz, his campaign announced Thursday.

Philly Dems Line Up Behind Murphy: It appears that Southeastern Pennsylvania is firmly in Patrick Murphy’s corner, after the Philadelphia Democratic Committee and its chairman Rep. Bob Brady announced their endorsement of him Wednesday.

$250K for Fitzpatrick in Q4: Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick begins 2012 with $678,000 on hand, according to his year-end report with the FEC.

Kelly’s Rough Q4: We initially reported that Kelly had a net loss of #13K in the fourth quarter, but his campaign said it finished Q4 in positive territory. A spokesperson cited a clerical error and said the campaign would file an amendment to its FEC report Friday.

Term Limits in Harrisburg? State Rep. Rick Saccone of Alleghney/Washington has announced the introduction of House Bill 2160, which proposes to impose 12-year term limits on members of the General Assembly.

Pitts Challenger: Aryanna Strader, the Democrat running against Joe Pitts lives a stone’s throw outside his district – a common theme so far in 2012.

Legislative Election Updates:

SD-29: It looks like Dave Argall’s problems with the Schuylkill County GOP are coming home to roost. He will face a primary challenge from Reading Anthracite President Brian Rich. “There are too many career politicians in Harrisburg with no fiscal discipline and no understanding of how to create jobs,” he said in a release (which in 487 words didn’t name Argall). Rich says he would serve two terms max and won’t take a pension.

SD-37: Raja, the 2011 candidate for Allegheny County Executive, is circulating petitions for retiring Sen. John Pippy’s South Hills seat. That’s according to several GOP sources there. He’ll face Rep. Mark Mustio, gun rights advocate Kim Stolfer, and GOP state committeewoman Sue Means.

SD-49: Janet Anderson is officially in the running for Jane Earll’s seat. She held a meet-and-greet at the Erie Intermodal Center.

HD-39: Freshman Republican Rick Saccone, who announced a term limits bill this week, also announced his bid for re-election in the Allegheny/Washington Co. district.

HD-82: Jim Felmlee, Lewistown Boro President, has announced that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for the 82nd Legislative District, a reader reports. The seat is currently held by Adam Harris (R-Juniata).

HD-89: Susan Spicka, the Democratic former teacher from Shippensburg who had been running for State Senate, is officially in against Rep. Rob Kauffman.

HD-107: Freshman State Rep. Kurt Masser officially announced his bid for re-election in the Northumberland/Montour district.

HD-134: We’re going to start updating this one every day a Republican doesn’t jump into this race. Ryan E. Mackenzie is the latest to seek the seat of former Rep., now Judge, Doug Reichley.

National:
Mother Jones: Komen’s $7.5 Million Grant to Penn State Appears to Violate New Policy
Pennsylvania Ave.: Senate Shoots Down Effort By Sen. Toomey To End Earmarks; Sen. Casey Votes No
Early Returns: Casey to propose fuel tax credits
Early Returns: Burns drops from U.S. Senate race
Beaver County Times: Santorum says daughter Bella out of hospital
Beaver County Times: Santorum sharpens criticism as urgency peaks
Politico: Should GOP even have an agenda?
Politico: Why Obama should be worried
Politico: Presidential circus comes to the Nevada caucus
Politico: Influence
Pennsylvania Ave.: Romney plays Trump card in Las Vegas
Politico: Tim Geithner: ‘no credible evidence’ financial reform hurting
Roll Call: Senate passes STOCK act
Roll Call: Control of Senate may rest on money
Washington Post: Minor Senate bill transformed into broad reform package
Washington Post: Corporations are sending more contributions to Super PACs
Real Clear Politics: Can Newt Gingrich win GOP nomination without women
Real Clear Politics: Obamanomics vs. Reaganomics
Real Clear Politics: How GOP is re-segregating the South
The Hill: Romney gaffes alarm GOP
NY Times: Obama glad to debate Romney on Afghanistan pullout
NY Times:’Super PAC’ filings show power and secrecy
NY Times: Obama’s words hint at Romney as expected rival
USA Today: Romney super PAC supporter has ties to Freddie and Fannie
USA Today: Romney remark puts focus on safety net for very poor
Slate: Did Obama just declare victory in Afghanistan?

Statewide:
AP: Jury set to get case against ex-PA House Speaker DeWeese
Capitolwire (Paywall): Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille Has More Swing Votes To Cast
WHYY Newsworks: A less strict asset test for PA food assistance program
Tribune Review: Heavier trucks could roll by Congress
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania welfare secretary: Limits on food stamps relaxed
Post-Gazette: Pa. bill would provide help to struggling schools
Post-Gazette: Corbett reasserts position on drilling consistency
Early Returns: Social Security group backs Critz
Early Returns: Controversial food stamps test a go
Observer-Reporter: First-term lawmaker announces re-election bid
Altoona Mirror: Corbett backs off limits on asset test
Republican Herald: Casey supports tax cut extension; move would save average Schuylkill County worker $448
Call Washington Bureau: Senate votes down Toomey effort to ban earmarks

Philadelphia:
Fox: Teachers’ Union: Layoffs endanger kids
ABC: Former Pa. judge’s wife charged with perjury, obstruction of justice
CBS: Petitioners to Corbett: Fund Chester-Upland’s foundering school district
Inquirer: Philly lost highest number of construction jobs in US last year
Philly Weekly: City Council introduces “Land Bank” bill; advocates see hard work ahead
Philly Weekly: Philly City Council says no deal for mortgage lenders

SEPA:
Philly Burbs: Fox hunting suspended in Bucks County public parks
Delco Times: “Ellen Degeneres Show” pledges $100,000 grant to Chester-Upland school district
Daily Local: SAP adding 500 jobs in Newtown Square
Montgomery News: Ambler residents voice opposition to billboards with online petition

Pittsburgh:
Tribune Review: DeWeese jury: No verdict after deliberating for a day
Tribune Review: Lawyer: Allegheny County property figures askew
Tribune Review: Judge gives Occupy 3 days to leave
Tribune Review: Feds laud region’s business model
Early Returns: A.M. heds: 6 more weeks, says Phil
Early Returns: Social security group backs Critz
Post-Gazette: Ravenstahl, Peduto vie for LED spotlight

Southwest:
WJAC: PA Supreme Court lifts the emergency stay on Horner murder trial
Daily Courier: Legal action weighed against Uniontown school district

South Central:
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Taxaide program kicks off in Chambersburg
Carlisle Sentinel: Shippensburg Township polling place to move to SU foundation building
York Daily Record: York city school district faces $8 million deficit for this year
York Daily Record: Hatch Act forces Kyle king, DePasquale challenger, to drop out
York Daily Record: Santorum sharpens criticism as urgency peaks

Lehigh Valley:
Morning Call: Allentown Council elects new board for special tax zone
Morning Call: Upper Nazareth upset over earned income taxes staying in Allentown to fund hockey arena
Morning Call: Cunningham vetoes Lehigh County reassessment bill
Reading Eagle: Lehigh County man seeks House seat in the 134th
Reading Eagle: City Council appoints Corcoran new member
Reading Eagle: Spencer repackages request for special assistants
WFMZ: Allentown Diocese fight new birth control rules
WFMZ: City creates authority to oversee NIZ
WFMZ: St. Luke’s, Warren Hospital formalize deal
WFMZ: Lopatcong residents upset with asphalt plant plans
WFMZ: Former Hunterdon prosecutor sues state over firing
Express Times: Oxford Township Committee seeks long-term debt solution
Express Times: Allentown city council creates hockey arena district authority, appoints 9 members
Express Times: Robert Pinel, new Nazareth Area School Board member, discusses his goals for the board
Express Times: South Whitehall Township adopts ordinance governing alternative energy projects
Express Times: Union leaders protest Easton Hospital’s hiring of Lancaster County-based construction group
Express Times: Allentown city councilman to propose regional council seats
Express Times: Locals join environmentalists in legal battle against the Portland Generating Station

NEPA:
The Times Leader: Republican Tim Burns drops out of Pa. Senate race
The Times Leader: Judges will not sue to block cuts
The Times Leader: Governor backs away from low asset limits for food stamps
The Times-Tribune: New Lackawanna County positions given nod
The Times-Tribune: Redistricting, lack of cash conspire against congressional hopefuls
Citizens’ Voice: Judiciary, country reach tentative deal on funding
Wayne Independent: Controversial Josh Fox arrested at U.S. Capitol
Standard Speaker: Streetlights company subject of probe
The Daily Review: John Johnson appointed Ridgebury supervisor
Pocono Record: Two Pa. Primaries would face cost, practical hurdles

North by Northwest:
Erie Times-News: Burns drops out of U.S. Senate race
Sharon Herald: Bond Payment savings will exceed $1M
Centre Daily Times: PSU professor hopes to be on ballot
Centre Daily Times: Driller’s $2.2M to pay for hazardous PA. dam fixes
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Jobless rate for area drops for 4th month

Opinion:
John Brenner, York Daily Record: I’m not running for Congress.
Roll Call: Don’t Bet on Gingrich showing up in Tampa
Lancaster Era: Follow the money
York Dispatch: Ideas worth more than money around here
Courier Express: Can schools hold the line on higher taxes? We doubt it
Pottstown Mercury: What is Pa. Supreme Court’s real motive?
The Times-Tribune: Opinion: Taking STOCK of Congress
The Times-Tribune: Opinion: Investigate false charge
Burlington County Times: “Elite Media” thrilled to have Newt in race
Daily Local: Gingrich is right to shoot for the moon
Burlington County Times: “Ghost voting” a naked assault on voters’ rights
Citizens’ Voice: Opinion: Congressional info should not be sued to pad portfolios
Citizens’ Voice: Opinion: Sentences may be short, but impact of crimes is long
Standard Speaker: Opinion: Stunting growth no way for Pa. to fight recession
The Daily Review: Opinion: Funding needed for redevelopment
The Daily Review: Opinion: Paying more with reputation that jail time
York Daily Record: Brenner: I’m not running for Congress

Blogs:
The Caucus: Fact Check: Romney on the recession
The Inquirer: Grant a win for fire, EMS paging
NY Times: Romney is a clear favorite in Nevada, Arizona and Michigan; Ohio is a tossup
Keystone Politics: Frackers pressuring media to stop using the word “fracking”
Keystone Politics: Eugene DePasquale making sense on prison waste
Keystone Politics: Corbett finds a way to make the sales tax more regressive
Keystone Politics: 4,000 will lose food stamps under Corbett asset test
Keystone Politics: Activists put “land bank” bill on the agenda in Philly
John Hanger: Large 80 year old coal plant closes
John Hanger: American Municipal Power goes hydro
NEPArtisan: Various Observations
Water Cooler PA: Gingrich is right to shoot for the moon
Water Cooler PA: Saccone: Twelve and you’re out
Pennsylvania Progressive: Obama seeks to reassure angry homeowners
Pennsylvania Progressive: Mitt Romney announces “I’m not concerned about the very poor”
Above Average Jane: Delco Dems make endorsements
Above Average Jane: Bob Casey on OutFront with Erin Burnett
Above Average Jane: Altmire on extension of FMLA
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: NIZ board rubber stamped by Allentown City Council
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Lehigh & Northampton tax collectors to discuss Allentown’s EIT tax grab
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Cynthia Mota sworn in by man she replaces
2 Political Junkies: Mitt Romney’s foot-in-mouth & tin-ear disease
2 Political Junkies: The Trib goes with Mitt
Lu-Lac Political Letter: Edition #1928, Feb. 2nd 2012
Keystone State Education Coalition: Some dates to remember so that this year’s PA budget is not a Ground Hog Day repeat of last year’s budget

It may not mean much in the way of contributions or grassroots muscle, but it’s sure to look good on campaign literature and ads.

In the intensifying Democratic primary race for the new 12th congressional district, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) endorsed Rep. Mark Critz, his campaign announced Thursday.

Rep. Critz is battling Rep. Jason Altmire in the upcoming primary after their districts were combined following redistricting last year.  The 12th district includes the two counties – Beaver and Westmoreland – with the highest enrollment in Medicare Advantage in the nation.

“Protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare has been a top priority for me in Congress and this endorsement demonstrates that I am the only candidate in this race who is fully committed to protecting these benefits for seniors and future generations,” Critz said in a statement. “I will continue to stand up to those in Congress who would destroy these vital programs through risky schemes like privatization and gimmicky constitutional amendments.”

The statement released by the Critz campaign also notes that he “opposed the Republican Balanced Budget Amendment that would have led to massive cuts in Social Security and Medicare” while his opponent, Rep. Altmire, voted for the amendment.

The endorsement comes just a few weeks after Critz picked up huge endorsements from the United Steelworkers Union, United Mine Workers, and the Laborers District Council of Western PA.

These endorsements are a major boost for the Critz campaign following the recent release of fourth quarter fundraising numbers for 2011:  Rep. Altmire reported $386,796 more cash on hand at the end of the year than Rep. Critz.  In addition, internal polling a few weeks ago from the Altmire campaign showed a 16-point advantage over Rep. Critz.

Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick begins 2012 with $678,000 on hand, according to his year-end report with the FEC.

With the deadline to submit the financial report looming, Fitzpatrick disclosed that his campaign took in a sizable $248K in the fourth quarter of the 2011 election cycle. All told, the incumbent representing Bucks County took in $1,100,000 last year.

“We will raise sufficient resources to securely win this seat,” Fitzpatrick told PoliticsPA.

Kathryn Boockvar, a Democratic attorney who ran for Pa. Commonwealth Court in 2011, announced she would be challenging Fitzpatrick. Having just filed her candidacy, she did not file an FEC report.

“There would be a robust discussion on how to get people back to work,” Fitzpatrick said of Boockvar. “And what appears to be a very clear distinction between my pro-growth economic policy and her lack of record, lack of leadership, and lack of experience on job creation.”

He also boasted of his independent record; he’s voted with the Republican party 81 percent of the time so far in the 112th Congress, according to the Washington Post Votes Database. It’s the lowest of any Pa. Republican, and the sixth-lowest of the 244 Republicans in the U.S. House.

Fitzpatrick has term limited himself through 2016.

State Rep. Rick Saccone of Alleghney/Washington has announced the introduction of House Bill 2160, which proposes to impose term limits on members of the General Assembly.

“Term limits have been and will remain a major priority of my reform agenda,” said Saccone, a freshman.

House Bill 2160 would limit elected Representatives to the Pennsylvania General Assembly to a combined total of 12 years in office, including combined House and Senate service.

Correction: Due to a typo, the original version of this story cited a 21 year term limit, rather than 12.

“This legislation…will help to ensure that Pennsylvania’s legislature is always refreshed..” Saccone said in a press release issued Wednesday.  “Out founders intended for public service in any legislative body to be temporary, limited, and never a permanent career.  House Bill 2160 will ensure that these great intentions are finally realized.”