Wolf reveals his transition review teams, Toomey’s race is called a toss-up and Rizzo announces he won’t run for Philly Mayor. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!
PA-Gov: Wolf Reveals Leaders of His Transition Review Teams: The Governor-Elect is launching an extensive review of state agencies and commissions.
PA-Sen: Sabato’s Crystal Ball Calls Toomey’s Seat A “Toss-Up”: The Governor-Elect is launching an extensive review of state agencies and commissions.
Rizzo Won’t Run for Mayor of Philly: Frank Rizzo Jr. announces he’ll run for City Council instead.
Politically Uncorrected: The Age of Tom Wolf: It’s not often that someone’s greatest wish and worst nightmare occur at the same time, but for Governor-elect Tom Wolf both are fated to occur the same day, hour and minute. January 20th 2015 will witness the swearing in of the state’s new governor.
Donohue Seeks Dem Endorsement for PA Supreme Court: The three openings on the commonwealth’s highest court attracts another prospective entry in Superior Court Judge Christine Donohue.
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.
Statewide
StateImpactPA: Wolf appoints reviewers for DEP, DCNR, DOH and PUC
StateImpactPA: Report criticizes expanded drilling on public land
StateImpactPA: Study: Abandoned wells could be significant source of greenhouse gas
PLS Reporter: Rendell-era administration officials headline Wolf transition review team leads
PA Independent: Audit: PA handed out $93 million to businesses that missed job projections
Capitolwire: Point of Order: Medicaid provider access concerns rekindled by new federal report
Capitolwire: Florida’s school choice programs reach far and wide; more voucher expansion on the horizon
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Penn’s president feels heat from her police for ‘Die In’ stance
Inquirer: In final 2014 meeting, Philly City Council gets blue – as in blue-collar
Inquirer: Council cracks down on those who prey on immigrant workers
Inquirer: Cheltenham school ‘monitor’ salary: $900 a day
PhillyClout: ‘America’s deadliest DA’ targets Council president for dead PGW deal
WHYY Newsworks: Former councilman rested and ready for another run at his old job
WHYY Newsworks: Philly police roll out the cameras
WHYY Newsworks: Judge will decide York schools’ fate
Philly.com: Business exec says Phila. mayoral run as Republican
KYW: Mayoral Candidate Lynne Abraham Urges Another Try at PGW Sale
City Paper: Is Philly charter wait list make believe?
SEPA
Courier Times: No tax hike in final Northampton budget
Courier Times: Bristol won’t hike taxes in 2015
Local News: Complaint filed with D.A.’s office raises questions over residency of Pennsbury School Board member
Daily Times: Two Dems apply for seat being left by McGarrigle
Mercury: Chester County SPCA sees spike in adoptions with new programs
Mercury: Democratic leaders take issue with county commissioner appointment
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Chairman of Penn State trustees doesn’t plan to attend meeting on NCAA suit
Post-Gazette: Santorum running for president again
Post-Gazette: Congress would cut Pell Grants for poorest students
Post-Gazette: U.S. House approves renaming Pittsburgh federal courthouse for Judge Joseph F. Weis Jr.
Post-Gazette: Job creation programs fall short of predictions, audit finds
Tribune Review: Wolf appoints 7 from Western Pennsylvania to his transition team
Tribune Review: Woman files federal lawsuit against 4 McKeesport police officers
Tribune Review: Daughter of conservative state House member to run for Butler office
Southwest
Altoona Mirror: City Council decides to not raise taxes
Altoona Mirror: General Cable plant cutting about 160 jobs
Observer-Reporter: Newly elected state rep. denies voter fraud
Observer-Reporter: SpringHouse has no worries about eggnog despite state actions
Beaver County Times: Heritage Valley, Duquesne University sign student affiliation agreement
NEPA
Pocono Record: Councilwoman: ‘Yes means yes’ for Philly colleges
Pocono Record: Pa. school district hires superintendent monitor
Times-Tribune: Scranton likely won’t make full pension payment
Times-Tribune: Shale gas industry ripe for noncompliance with wage law
South Central
Patriot News: One of Susquehanna Twp. School District’s superintendent candidates has dropped out: PSBA consultant
Patriot News: ABLE Act: For people with disabilities, a tax-free way to save for college
Patriot News: Will Carlisle’s budget raise taxes for residents next year
Sentinel: Carlisle Borough passes 2015 budget
Daily Record: York County prison staff to get body cameras
Daily News: S. Londonderry OKs $2.9M 2015 budget; no tax hike
Intelligencer/Era: RRTA, Berks transit merger complete
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Williams Township won’t fight PennEast pipeline
Express Times: Bethlehem City Council votes to close two pools as part of budget reductions
Express Times: Bethlehem councilwoman to seek amusement tax reduction for nonprofits
Eagle: Transit agency for Berks, Lancaster counties takes shape
North by Northwest
Campaign 14’: Wolf Names Hanger to Staff
Sun Gazette: Township OK’s budget
Daily Times: Judge rejects heirs’ attempt to block sale of College Heights school to Penn State
Opinion
Daily News: DN Editorial: Painted into a corner
Courier Times: Torturous report
Daily Times: Editorial: Corbett missed boat on extraction tax
Patriot News: If the GOP is looking for someone to blame for Pa.’s $1.8b budget deficit, the mirror would be a good place to start: John Blake
Daily News: Supervisor wrong to target private citizen
Express Times: EDITORIAL: Is Downtown Easton’s ‘ring road’ in need of retooling?
Post-Gazette: An op-ed on gay rights ignores reality
Tribune Review: Models aren’t foolproof
Tribune Review: Keeping gas prices down
Altoona Mirror: Parents must think about guns
Observer-Reporter: 39 million? Ho-hum
Pocono Record: Letter: Sore about negative campaigns, GOP victories
Times-Tribune: Legislature dodges reform
Blogs
Keystone State Education Coalition: Federal Spending Bill Would Fund Pre-K Grants, Not Race to Top
2 Political Junkies: Yea, Torture Works…