Schwartz is a little less likely to run for Gov, and the Pittsburgh mayoral race heats up. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Schwartz Tapped for DCCC Finance Chair: Rep. Allyson Schwartz keeps on moving up in the ranks of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and it’s cast doubt on her intent to run for Governor.

Pittsburgh Mayoral Campaign Teams Take Shape: Local candidates are the biggest beneficiaries of the fact that 2013 is a slow year in Pa. elections.

Local Elections Updates

Peduto Makes Mayor Run Official: Promising to “break the shackles of the old rusty political machine forever,” city Councilman Bill Peduto embarked on his third campaign for mayor Thursday night.

Statewide
Capitol Ideas: Guv announces “modernization” of PA Infrastructure.
State House Sound Bites: Trial in voter ID case “likely” to be set next summer
PA Independent: Fiscal cliff not so steep in Keystone State budget
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: Leaving lawmakers to reap state pension benefits
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: State Senator collects $30K in per diems while renting living space in Harrisburg
Capitolwire: ‘Fiscal cliff’ trade-off could hamper fund-raising, charity says.
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: Under last year’s Pileggi plan, applied nationally, Mitt Romney would be president.
Capitolwire: Judge ‘leaning’ toward July for start of Voter ID merits trial.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Intern on Menendez’s staff was undocumented alien and sex offender
Inquirer: Philadelphia City Council already wants to change new zoning code
Daily News: Firefighters sneer at city’s claim about contract cost
Commonwealth Confidential: Pension payout time…
Commonwealth Confidential: Voter ID: It could be nearly a year before we know if law will stand
PhillyClout: Got a parking ticket? You can now fight it online
PhillyClout: Council OKs Electric Factory billboard bill, skateboarder bill
PhillyClout: City: Aramark, Strother to pay $400,000 in settlement of minority-participation suit
PhillyClout: Council committee approves zoning changes
PhillyClout: Thursday’s DN: Mob hit mystery
WHYY Newsworks: Across Philadelphia, strong reactions to school closings plan
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia leads U.S. in HPV immunization
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia School District wants to close 37 schools, relocate or reconfigure dozens more
WHYY Newsworks: Councilwoman Bass says Philadelphia school closings proposal ‘just the start of the conversation’
WHYY Newsworks: Summer trial likely on Pa. voter ID case
Phillynow.com: Here’s What Gov. Corbett’s Health-Care Rejection Means
Phillynow.com: Food Stamp Challenge, Day 3: On Grocery Stores, Genetically Engineered Food and Assets

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Delaware county budget approved; taxes going up 2.8%
Montgomery Media: Governor Corbett: Pennsylvania will not set up its own healthcare exchange

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: State Treasurer McCord wants to review Lottery contract
Tribune Review: Amid cuts, 37 Philadelphia public schools to close
Post-Gazette: Duquesne schools recovery officer given extension to develop financial plan
Post-Gazette: Judge expects summer trial on Pennsylvania’s voter ID law
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania treasurer: No lottery funds for expanded gambling
Post-Gazette: W.Va. blast heightens concerns over natural gas pipelines
Post-Gazette: Pa. insurance exchange off table
Early Returns: Voter ID, Peduto announcement today
Early Returns: Corbett, Rothfus already targeted for ‘14
Early Returns: Lamb, Ravenstahl ready mayoral race staffs
Early Returns: Damper on Schwartz guv talk?
Early Returns: Vote ID could wait until summer

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Pa. lottery deal could yield big payout to firms
Beaver County Times: Amid cuts, Philadelphia to close 27 public schools
Altoona Mirror: Judge, lawyers, to discuss Pa. voter ID case
Altoona Mirror: Philly school district plans to announce closures

NEPA
Wayne Independent: Proposed budget now available for view
Standard Speaker: Hazleton mayor gets nowhere in concession bid
Standard Speaker: Mahoney City holds the line on taxes
Pocono Record: Pa cabinet member’s Rhode Island commute costing taxpayers
Pocono Record: Corbett: Pa will let feds run healthcare exchange

Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Ave: Local U.S. lawmakers reaction to Corbett health insurance exchange decision
Reading Eagle: County commissioners approve budget
AP: Corbett says state won’t run own health care exchange
WFMZ: Voter ID case likely coming next summer

South Central
Patriot News: Health care union members accuse Pa. chamber of “scrooging” the middle class
Patriot News: Voter ID case could go to trial in summer– after the May primary election
Patriot News: Dauphin, Lebanon county towns raise taxes after sluggish year
Patriot News: Looming ‘Fiscal Cliff’ has local charity leaders nervous
Lancaster Online: Terre Hill likely to raise taxes in 2013
Lancaster Online: New chairwoman vows to keep GOP united
Roxbury News: Ron Buxton and Jeff Piccola – Annual Pensions
Roxbury News: Municipal financial recovery advisory committee: Fred Reddig’s update on Harrisburg’s fiscal review
Roxbury News: Senator Folmer: A special prosecutor to investigate the financial transactions related to the Harrisburg Authority

North by Northwest
Campaign ‘12 Blog: Kelly elected co-chair of bipartisan House coalition
Centre Daily Times: Judge says summer trial likely on Pa. voter ID law
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Mayor hands mayoral tasks over to police chief this week

Opinions
Standard Speaker: Inauguration reserved for rich
Tribune Review: ‘Chameleon carriers’: Death by big rig
Post-Gazette: Wrong way put right: Technology can be the ignition key to curb DUIs
Post-Gazette: HSBC’s lesson: Light punishment awaits offending banks
Altoona Mirror: Costs of health reform law starts showing up
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Real cost of underage drinking