Bob Brady is backing Allyson Schwartz, Mike Stack is running for Lt. Gov, and more. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Don’t forget to check back later today for the Ups & Downs!
Brady Backs Schwartz: In a major move, Congressman and Philadelphia Democratic party Chairman Bob Brady endorsed Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz for Governor.
State Sen. Stack Passes on Guv Run, Seeks LG Instead: After months of flirting with a bid for Governor, Philadelphia State Senator Mike Stack announced Thursday that he will instead run for Lieutenant Governor.
McCord Touts Support From 23 PA Legislators: The State Treasurer announced the endorsements of his gubernatorial candidacy from current and former members of the State Legislature – predominantly from outside southeastern Pa.
Q3 Fundraising: Winners and Losers: The numbers are in! Here’s how the incumbents and challengers running for Congress fared this quarter.
Statewide
State House Sound Bites: A call to assess how mental health services are delivered in PA
PA Independent: RACP debt program gets new rules, lower debt limit
State Impact: Natural gas supplies expected to meet demand this winter
State Impact: PUC opens proposed impact fee rules for public comment
State Impact: On oil embargo’s 40th anniversary, has shale drilling changed the game?
State Impact: The Delaware River Watershed: Healthy or At Risk?
Capitolwire: Sen. Stack joins lieutenant governor race
Capitolwire: Capitolwire: U.S. Rep. Bob Brady endorses Schwartz for governor
Capitolwire: PA House Education Committee reports out education transparency, teacher certification, gun education bills
Capitolwire: ‘Healthy PA’ prescription monitoring program proposal may still need more work
Capitolwire: Legislature votes to reduce RACP debt ceiling
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Council passes bill to give $50 million to schools
Inquirer: Corbett extends children’s insurance program
Inquirer: Toomey sides with Cruz on crucial vote
Inquirer: Matthews’ expunging case extended to next week
Daily News: Tom Corbett’s TV time
Daily News: City starts monthly payment plan for tax delinquents
Big Tent: Brady backs Schwartz for governor
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. district attorneys urge lawmakers to fund early education
The Intelligencer: State Senate OKs bill boosting judicial mandatory retirement age
The Intelligencer: Prescription drug database bill stands in Pa. House
Bucks County Courier Times: Churchville man convicted of $14M Medicare fraud
Bucks County Courier Times: Fitzpatrick defends vote ending federal shutdown
Pittsburgh
WPXI: Mayor says at grocery store opening in Hill that he’s getting job inquiries
Early Returns: FOP for Gross
Tribune-Review: Rothfus discusses voting against bill to end government shutdown
Tribune-Review: Western Pa. veterans roll to D.C. to visit war memorials
Southwest
Indiana Gazette: Applicants sought for Frick’s seat
Beaver County Times: DEP finds fault with FirstEnergy’s closure plan for Little Blue
Beaver County Times: Berosh asking AG’s office to take over Economy committee case
Daily American: Shuster: Voting against continuing resolution ‘irresponsible’
NEPA
News Eagle: Federal legislators comment on ending shutdown
Carbondale News: U.S. Rep. Marino won’t support deal that “kicks can down the road”
Citizens’ Voice: Luzerne County to cut 50 non-union jobs
Citizens’ Voice: Local nuclear plant has most violations in Pa.
Citizens’ Voice: Owner of kids-for-cash detention centers settles for $2.5 million
Standard Speaker: Voter ID ads draw controversy
Times-Tribune: Barletta, Cartwright, Marino campaign coffers swell
Times-Tribune: Rep. Farina’s office offers flu shots
News Item: Northumberland County row officers plan to sue
WNEP: New Weight Limits Set For Deficient Bridges
PA Homepage: Government Open for Business
AP: Pa. coal mine cleanup project wins national award
South Central
Patriot-News: Harrisburg mayoral candidates face off for third debate
Patriot-News: Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson’s legacy already memorable – and complex
Patriot-News: More money please, says the Pa. State System of Higher Education
Patriot-News: Carlisle School Board approves expansion of Crestview Elementary
Lancaster Intelligencer: Lancaster Newspapers names John A. Kirkpatrick III as its new president
Lancaster Intelligencer: Voting district changes on way across Lancaster County
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: State universities seeking $35.4 million funding boost
Morning Call: Charlie Dent not saying ‘I told you so’
Morning Call: Candidate night is on, but Allentown mayoral opponents won’t debate
Reading Eagle: Reading Charter Review Commission weighs revival of council-manager plan
Express Times: Warren County prosecutor reminds political candidates about the law
Express Times: Lehigh County voters could have say in future Coca-Cola Park-like projects
North by Northwest
Go Erie: Toomey stands alone among those representing Erie
Centre Daily: Borough, township candidates tackle issues at forum
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Casey praises bill, but Toomey votes ‘no’
Williamsport Sun Gazette: DEP to hold meeting on tire burner approval
Opinions
Daily News: A baby step on per diem reform
Daily News: DN Editorial: Put a hold on holds
Patriot-News: Sen. Toomey’s don’t-worry attitude about potential default is disturbing: Editorial
Times-Tribune: Not ready for prime time, or any other
Times-Tribune: Eliminate debt ceiling
Daily Review: A state requirement could protect Pennsylvanians
Pottstown Mercury: A federal deal is done, but it won’t last long
Pottstown Mercury: Obama finally shows real leadership
Pottstown Mercury: Obama does little to resolve shutdown
Pottstown Mercury: House Republicans, can you take ‘yes’ for an answer?
Pottstown Mercury: Perhaps the tea party fever finally will break
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. speed limit of 70? Aggressive drivers won’t notice
Daily American: Back to work
Altoona Mirror: COLA increase goes fast
Post-Gazette: Butt out, council: Leave city school decisions to the school board
Post-Gazette: Colorful Madoff: With city council a riot, she was in fine form
Blogs
Keystone Politics: Why We Need Even-Year Municipal Elections
Keystone Politics: Charlie Dent’s Tactical Moderation
Keystone Politics: The Republicans are just going to do it again this winter
Keystone Politics: Corbett: marijuana is “the most addictive gateway drug there is”
Keystone State Education Coalition: Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for October 17
Commonwealth Foundation: We just lowered the debt ceiling
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4 Responses
Dear COS GROMIS BAKER: I want a no-bid contract to due out-placement services for Corbett Brabender staffers like Roddy, Berstein, Branstetter, ect. What is the procedure to get a no-bid Corbett contract?
THANK YOU JEFF ROMOFF AND SCOTTY BAKER FOR ALLOWING GROMIS-BAKER TO BORROW YOUR LOBBYIST! tHANK YOU MR. DECOURSEY FOR LOOKING AFTER THE PUBLIC INTEREST!!!! :DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES
Wrapping up this week’s Beat is a pair of no-bid contract being sought by the Corbett administration for lobbying services in Washington, D.C.
Both are one-year contracts, valued at no more than $120,000 annually, according to the administration. The contracts do contain the potential for four additional one-year renewals of the contract.
According to the governor’s office, prior administrations have obtained federal government relations services by either operating a separate Washington office -requiring office space and full time personnel – or hiring law firms for this work. The administration says the full time office option would likely cost $900,000 annually, while contracting with a law firm would carry a cost of approximately $500,000 annually.
They claim a far less expensive option would be to enter into sole-source contracts with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and the Ridge Policy Group LLC , both of which the governor’s office states have extensive government relation expertise, particularly in Washington, D.C.
The plan appears to be to have Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney provide consulting and government relations services regarding healthcare and other federal issues , while the Ridge Policy Group would supply general federal government relations consulting services .
The Beat will keep tabs on both no-bid contract requests and update readers when something happens with either request.
The poor people of the distressed City of Johnstown are like 99.9% of the voters in PA; they mean nothing to Teaparty Tom Corbett. You only count in the Corbett/Brabender administration if you are: 1. An energy company; 2. a Corporate Welfare Queen like k-12 Inc. or Vahan Gureghian 3. UPMC Jeff Romoff 4. the former employer of Scott Baker and most likely Gromis Baker’s future employer or 5. a donation Bundler for Corbett so Brabender doesn’t starve. COS Gromis-Baker: How much do I have to donate to get a return phone call from your able, dedicated, and loyal hard-working staff?
Tom Corbett commits another Super Gaffe:
http://www.keystonepolitics.com/2013/10/corbett-marijuana-addictive-gateway-drug/ So this legendary public safety official has morphed into Tea Party Tom: Johnstown (home of PAGOP CHAIR-Rob Gleason) go hire your own George Zimmermans to clear out the riff-raff. Or maybe COS Gromis-Baker and acting Governor John Brabender are praying for a drive-by to get their own PAGOP Chair.