Kane gets sued, Stephens and Rafferty trade endorsements and a new candidate emerges in PA-16. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

Kane Sued Again: Former AG employee Graham Moore is filing a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Allegheny GOP Chair Endorses Stephens for AG: The Attorney General candidate scored the backing of the Western PA official.

PA-16: Wegman Declares Candidacy: The Reading dentist is jumping into the Democratic primary.

Reader Poll: PA Society Should’ve Been Cancelled: Our readers aren’t fans of the NYC gathering.

Reader Poll: Will Pennsylvania’s 2016 Presidential Primary Matter?: When it comes to the Democratic and Republican nominations, will the Keystone State get a say?

Fmr. Sen. Robbins Endorses Rafferty for AG: The ex-State Senator and his wife declare their support for John Rafferty’s campaign.

Statewide
PAIndependent: Kitchen cabinet: Wolf nominates former employee, political supporter to PLCB
State House Sound Bites: Kane Tries to Limit Questions at Upcoming Court Appearance
State House Sound Bites: House & Senate Tussle Over Pension Payments
PLSReporter: Feature: Charter school compliance with right to know laws
PLSReporter: House Liquor Chairman: “We don’t have a clear path forward right now” on Senate wine privatization bill
PLSReporter: Pension reform bill gets House “tweaks”
Capitolwire: House GOP, with some Democratic help, makes changes to the framework pension reform plan
Capitolwire: House GOP softening on education demands?
Capitolwire: At least one budget framework bill is on its way to the governor

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Bitter adversaries Kane and Fina to take stand in sting case
Daily News: Upper Darby cops, Muslims speak out against ISIS
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. education secretary lauds new federal school accountability law
WHYY Newsworks: In face of indictment and four rivals, Fattah counts on record in run for 12th term in Congress
KYW Newsradio: Brandon Tate-Brown Protesters Slow Traffic Around Center City
Philadelphia Business Journal: Kenney to discuss Temple football stadium with school officials this week
Philadelphia Business Journal: What employers should know about ‘ban the box’

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Tullytown council Rick Adams dies
Bucks County Courier Times: In Bucks, concealed-carry permits up 175 percent
Delco Daily Times: Muslims, U.D. officials take stand against violence
Daily Local News: Unionville native seeks GOP bid for Chris Ross seat

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council approves budget, controversial new fee for landlords
Post-Gazette: Group of apartment owners files suit against Penn Hills
Post-Gazette: Oil and gas producer Magnum Hunter files for bankruptcy
Post-Gazette: Zagat: Pittsburgh restaurant scene is No. 1
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania school districts may lose ability to borrow
Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh approves $518M budget despite uncertain revenues
Tribune-Review: Pa. AG Kane may give limited testimony in sting case if judge agrees, aide says
Business Times: Exclusive: Marc lands account of major restaurant chain
Business Times: Computer virus targets casino

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Indian Caverns’ future in limbo
Altoona Mirror: Blair CY&F forms response team
Beaver County Times: House Democrat Snyder: GOP handling of Pennsylvania budget ‘isn’t anything short of insanity’
Beaver County Times: Heritage Valley Beaver among 758 hospitals penalized for incident rates
Beaver County Times: Aliquippa water and sewer authority plans nearly $1.5M in upgrades, rate increases

NEPA
Times Leader: No Luzerne County tax hike in 2016
Times Leader: Dallas Township proposed budget contains a 28 percent property tax increase
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre ups funding requests in flood control projects
Times-Tribune: With credit ratings withdrawn, Scranton, other school districts face financial woes
Times-Tribune: County GOP select three candidates for DA job

South Central
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Pa. legislation would require residents to obtain firearms eligibility license to purchase a handgun
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Would consolidating Pennsylvania school district health plans save money? Maybe a little, study says
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Local experts don’t discount role of education in anti-poverty fight
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Greg Paulson resigns as Democratic Party chairman in Lancaster to run for state Senate
Harrisburg Patriot News: Late budget could give teachers extra year to meet professional development requirements
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pa. pension reform takes another step toward full House vote
York Daily Record: Anthony Pugliese announces run for House

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Bethlehem City Council passes Martin Tower rezoning
Express Times: Synthetic pot’s toll on users, community rising, experts say
Reading Eagle: The view from the bench on capital punishment
Reading Eagle: Pottstown holds line on taxes in 2016 budget that’s adopted

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Council approves 0.5-mill tax hike in Jersey Shore
Erie Times-News: Breakthrough in state budget?
Erie Times-News: Monday is deadline to apply for County Council vacancy
Erie Times-News: Erie School Board to consider authorizing $47M loan
Erie Times-News: Millcreek GOP chairman previews prez candidates’ debate
Centre Daily News: Ryan tells GOP there’s agreement on tax and spending bill

Opinion
Pottstown Mercury: Putting WAMs in Pa. budget is giant step back
Inquirer: Wild West revisited
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: An answer to prison overcrowding
Williamsport Sun Gazette: House Republicans should tinker with unacceptable budget
Post-Gazette: Moveable feasts: Councilman Gilman’s food truck bill is a welcome update
Post-Gazette: Growth industry: The Pentagon should not be adding new bases
Tribune-Review: A victory for kids

Blogs
2 Political Junkies: December 15 Christopher Hitchens/BIll of Rights Day!
Commonwealth Foundation: Celebrating Crummy Care
Commonwealth Foundation: House Pension Compromise Is Step in Right Direction
Commonwealth Foundation: Spending Increases in the “Framework Budget”
PA Budget & Policy Center: PA lawmakers: While you’re scouring for revenue, look here, under this rock – it’s a minimum wage increase!
Citified: How To Win Elections Without the Democratic Machine