Our list of PA’s top operatives, Wolf will privately fund his transition and we ask whether people approve of Senator Pat Toomey. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

PoliticsPA’s Top Operatives: 2014: PA has a lot of political talent – some of the best in the country. These are the men and women who stood out in the last election cycle.

The Full 2014 PA Society List of Events: It’s that time of year, politicos: Pennsylvania Society! Here’s a rundown of all the events at the weekend-long marathon of receptions and cocktails.

PA-Gov: Wolf to Privately Fund Transition: The Governor-Elect will not accept any public money for the two month transition process.

Reader Poll: Do You Approve of Senator Pat Toomey’s Job Performance?: We ask our readers whether they approve of the job Senator Toomey is doing.

Reader Poll: Rep. Chaka Fattah Won’t Be in Congress A Year From Now: Our readers predict Rep. Fattah’s congressional career will soon come to an end.

Lalley Formally Announces Bid for Commonwealth Court: Republican candidate Paul Lalley formally announced his campaign to run for the open seat on the Commonwealth Court in 2015.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Wolf sets up self-policing measures for inauguration, transition
State House Sound Bites: A give-off before the hand-off
Capitolwire: Judge rules on decade-old consumer protection cases involving ‘living trust mill’ activity
Capitolwire: Florida’s cheaper pension system provides more options, less benefits
PLS Reporter: State’s revenue woes could impact tax refunds
State Impact PA: State to study effects of frack sand at Wyoming County site
State Impact PA: Study: Greenhouse gas emissions from industry concentrated in two sources

Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: Pennsylvania getting more money to help homeless vets
WHYY Newsworks: Following last year’s building collapse, Philly City Council reorganizing oversight
WHYY Newsworks: Fatality is first for a female firefighter in Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: PA pension costs to increase by nearly $500 Million in 2015
KYW: Phila. City Council Presses Ahead with New Structure for L&I Oversight
Inquirer: Evans bows out of Phila. mayor’s race before he gets in
Inquirer: AG Kane reshuffles her top staff
Inquirer: For PHA chief Carl Greene fined $75,000

SEPA
Courier Times: Bucks DA to investigate whether a Pennsbury school director is ‘“illegally seated’”
Courier Times: Bensalem sued by Muslim congregation over mosque ruling
Courier Times: Bristol council rejects docks bids as too high
Daily Local: Coatesville council opts for cuts instead of tax hikes
Montgomery Media: Franconia supervisors OK 19 percent take hike; says deficit was hidden from board, public
Bucks Local: Bucks County Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick votes in favor of bill empowering families of disabled children

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: 5 stories to read today
Post-Gazette: Former Erie state senator named to board overseeing state-owned universities
Post-Gazette: Retired Justice McCaffery collecting $11,000 monthly pension after quitting over porn scandal
Post-Gazette: Wolf to use own money for security team’s needs
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh City Council commits funds for body cameras for police
Tribune Review: Kane adds chief of staff, realigns attorney general executive office
Tribune Review: Audit: Hertz owes Allegheny County $650K in unpaid taxes
Tribune Review: Peduto swears in McLay as police chief, promotes 2 commanders

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Bedford County Prison Board’s decision possibly illegal
Altoona Mirror: Ex-judge in porn scandal gets $11K monthly pension
Observer-Reporter: Senate torture report condemns CIA interrogation program
Observer-Reporter: Proposed natural gas plant gets W.Va. air permit
Beaver County Times: Audit reveals Ohioville received excess state funds

NEPA
Pocono Record: Gov.-elect Tom Wolf will use own money for security team needs
Pocono Record: Report: IRS paid $6 billion in bogus child tax credits
Pocono Record: Lawmaker angered over PSU chief’s hands-up gesture
Times-Tribune: With tax increase, Scranton schools deficit would remain at 6.5 million
Times Leader: Labor Department: Marcellus Shale contractors owe $4.5 million in back wages
Times Leader: As Congress debates, Luzerne County housing officials await word on funding

South Central
Daily Record: York council, public wrestle with possible budget cuts
Daily Record: York County Judge John W. Thompson Jr. delays retirement until May
Patriot News: Lawmaker demands Penn State President Eric Barron apologize for ‘hands-up’ gesture at protest
Patriot News: Gov.-elect Tom Wolf to privately fund transition costs
Dispatch: At York City budget hearings, tough questions and hard answers
Dispatch: North York passes final budget with tax hike
Intelligencer/Era: Perdue says it will reduce proposed hexane emissions at Conoy soybean plant

Lehigh Valley
Capitol Ideas: AG Kathleen Kane shakes up inner circle
Express Times: Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence holiday tours up and running for 2014
Express Times: Upper Macungie Township supervisors approve animal control contract
WFMZ: “Veto the property tax increase”

North by Northwest
Sun Gazette: Group’s grants will help children
Sun Gazette: County budget vote set Thursday
Daily Times: Centre County Commissioners
Daily Times: State College Borough Council members hesitate to make further budget cuts

Opinion
Daily News: DN Editorial: Taking your leave
Inquirer: On employment, more work to do
Mercury: EDITORIAL: Phoenixville’s community spirit outshines vandals’ destruction
Post-Gazette: Our nation’s economy is energy-driven
Post-Gazette: The Education Department should turn over the records
Tribune Review: At what cost?
Altoona Mirror: Police always on guard
Beaver County Times: Legislature went to bat for Potter Township
Pocono Record: Jingle bells and rum balls
Times Leader: Make being ready a priority
Patriot News: Should Tom Wolf move in to the governor’s mansion? A PennLive poll
Patriot News: Gov.-elect Wolf will need more than good luck and charm to fix the state’s budget mess: Oren Spiegler
Daily Times: Letter to the Editor: Setting an example

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: They’re Complaining Because We’re Convincing
Commonwealth Foundation: More Choice on the way to Philadelphia?