Happy petition day, politicos! Good morning, and welcome to the Buzz.

Those awful, time consuming, irritating petitions begin going out today, so get excited for your inbox to fill up with invitations for signing parties. We, on the other hand, are excited for the fact that no potential candidate, no matter how coy, can equivocate about whether they’re running once its set to paper.

Cartwright Jumping in Against Holden: Scranton Attorney Matt Cartwright is expected to announce his Democratic primary challenge to Rep. Tim Holden in Pa’s 17th congressional district at noon Tuesday.

Keystone XL: Last Wednesday, President Obama announced he would not grant a Presidential permit to begin building a pipeline through the nation’s heartland. In the time since, Pennsylvania Democrats and Republicans have come out to criticize the President.

Steelworkers Endorse Critz: One of the biggest labor unions in the new 12th district, the United Steelworkers, came out for Rep. Mark Critz today in his primary against his colleague Jason Altmire.

WashCo Commish Gets in Vs. Murphy: Washington Commissioner Larry Maggi announced his bid for Congress. He’s the strongest Dem challenger yet to Murphy, but his best shot is if Murphy loses the GOP primary.

Altmire on Giffords: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords announced Sunday that she will be stepping down from Congress this week. Giffords survived a near-fatal gunshot wound in January 2011 in an attack that left six dead.

Legislative Election Updates

HD-27: State Rep. Dan Deasy has drawn a primary challenge from Mt. Washington’s Erin Molchany — the director of the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project and ally of former Rep. Chelsa Wagner.

HD-103: Roy Christ, former Harrisburg School Board President, public school teacher and ironworker will announce for retiring Rep. Ron Buxton’s seat in Harrisburg. The announcement is set to take place at 6th and Reily Streets at 1pm.

HD-116: Democrat Ransom Young has announced a bid against freshman Rep. Tarah Toohil in the Luzerne County district. Young, 57, a life-long resident of Butler Township, owns and operates a fourth generation family farm. He has been a member of the Butler Township Board of Supervisors for 28 years.

HD-134: Berks County attorney Jim Smith (R-) has announced his bid for the now-vacant seat of Rep. Doug Reichley, who now serves on the bench in Lehigh County.

HD-138: Leslie Altieri, 31, and president of the Northampton County Council of Democratic Women, will challenge Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton).

National
CNN: Obama to offer “blueprint” for the economy
CNN: Giffords to finish “Congress on Your Corner” before resigning this week
CNN: Gingrich says Romney is desperate
Politico: Rick Santorum: I’m the only real pro-lifer
Washington Post: Reps. Meehan and Kelly to Be Part of Larger Group of Bipartisan “Prom Dates” At State Of The Union
Early Returns: Daily Santorum: Moving to Florida
AP: Debates have major impact on GOP presidential race
AP: Giffords’ decision sets up a political free-for-all
AP: AP Source: Another $5M donated to pro-Gingrich PAC
AP: The big get in FL Rubio isn’t giving
AP: Romney defends investments, readies tax returns
AP: Gingrich’s former company releases contract
AP: Environmentalists see reason for alarm in GOP race
AP: Republic candidates on the issues

Statewide
Capitol Ideas: Supreme Court to hear redistricting challenges today
PA Independent: PA Supreme Court hears redistricting challenges to new state legislative map
PA Independent: Candidates, tea party leaders call on PA GOP not to endorse for US Senate
StateImpact PA: Chesapeake scales back its dry gas drilling operations
StateImpact PA: Environmental coalition moves to block natural gas pipeline
StateImpact PA: Could fracking earthquakes shake Pennsylvania?
StateImpact PA: Natural gas may be cheap, but home heating oil prices are skyrocketing
StateImpact PA: Drill Bits: New DEP rules; more fracking disclosure; Senate candidates support drilling
Keystone Politics: School voucher advocates have a Chester-Upland problem
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania lawmakers pass, consider multiple bills to restrict abortion
Post-Gazette: State Supreme Court reviews new House, Senate lines
AP: Pa. Senate OKs bill to extend jobless benefits
AP: State Oks northeast Pa. hospital acquisition

Philadelphia
ABC Philadelphia: Pa governor orders flags half-staff for Paterno
WHYY Newsworks: PA high court to rule quickly on redistricting appeals
WHYY Newsworks: Deweese corruption trial underway
WHYY Newsworks: Chester County’s Steve Welch gets nod from Corbett
KYW Newsradio: Corbett, state lawmakers discuss future of Chester Upland school district
Philadelphia Inquirer: Prosecutors: Deweese a common thief
PhillyClout:GOP still split on candidate to challenge Bob Casey

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: PA Supreme Court hears arguments of redistricting, legality
Delco Daily Times: Corbett, Delco officials huddle to discuss Chester-Upland school district
Delco Daily Times: Gov. Corbett orders flags at half-staff in honor of Paterno
Bucks Local News: Lower Makefield Township to review financial services, beginning with banking

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: USW endorse Critz over Altmire
Tribune Review: Former DeWeese aid says he worked on campaign on taxpayers’ dime
Tribune Review: New bill could make drivers give bicycles 4-foot berth
Tribune Review: Former House Speaker DeWeese likely to take stand at corruption trial
Tribune Review: Home sales in Pittsburgh region fell in 2011, when prices rose
Tribune Review: Chesapeake to cut natural gas production drastically
Tribune Review:  Mt. Washington Democrat to run for new state House seat
Tribune Review: Washington County commissioner to challenge Murphy for congressional seat
Post-Gazette: United Steelworkers endorse Critz
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County revamps website for new assessment values
Post-Gazette: DeWeese corruption trial begins in Harrisburg this morning
Early Returns: Orie issues letter; DA complains

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: DeWeese trial – lawbreaking or ‘pettygate’
Altoona Mirror: Blair County Ballpark to be renamed after Peoples Natural Gas
Somerset Daily American: Shuster, Critz defend House achievements
Daily Courier: Gallo resigns from hearing board; takes seat on Connellsville authority
Tribune Review: Advocates urge simpler state delivery of senior services
WJAC: Northern Cambria setting up foundation to help education costs
WJAC: Pro-life supporters, including bishop, head to March for Life rally in Washington

NEPA
The Times Leader: Public agenda names Lawton as new Luzerne county manager
The Times Leader: Bills up for review by Pa. house
The Times Leader: County looks at Valley Crest property for space
Standard Speaker: Corruption trial begins for ex-Pa. House leader
The Daily Review: Human service cuts prompt initiative
Pocono Record: Pa. Senate OKs bill to extend jobless benefits
Pocono Record: Corbett orders flags to half-staff for Paterno
Pocono Record: Pa. assembly redistricting plan heads to court

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Mitman to resign from LVEDC
Morning Call: 12 vie for open Allentown council seat
Morning Call: Berks county lawyer announces run for Reichley’s seat
WFMZ: Legal battles surrounding redistricting plan begin
Express Times: Bethlehem Township resident to run for 138th State House district
Express Times: Lehigh County voters among those appealing legislative redistricting plan

South Central
York Dispatch: Commissioner Reilly enters field for Platts’ seat

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Legislative Tally: Voting during the past week for elected officials in Northern PA
Center Daily Times: Santorum says Obama pushes doctors away from Medicare
Courior Express: DuBois school board questions expenses
Erie-Times News: State Democratic Chairman to visit Erie
Erie-Times News: Democrat Missa Eaton to run for Congress
Erie-Times News: Erie hopes to hear positive news during State of the Union

Opinions
Daily Local News: Opinion: Case of diminishing tax returns
Daily Local News: Opinion: Free election? Don’t make me laugh
Bucks Local News: Opinion: Hand that rocks the White House cradle

Blogs
Keystone Liberty: Job talks need substance
CasablancaPa: Let’s make a deal
Keystone State Education Coalition: In Obama’s race to the top work and expense lie with states
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Matt Cartwright to hit Holden from left?
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Should we switch to weekend voting?
Lehigh Valley Independent: How to increase Allentwon voter participation
NEPArtisan: Toomey responds to my PIPA email
2 Political Junkies: Voter fraud! or maybe not
Lu Lac Political Letter: GOP taking on the Dems
Keystone Politics: Tom Corbett just deferring to BrabenderCox on political endorsements
Keystone Conversvative: And then there were four
John Hanger: The 6 keys to Gingirich’s South Carolina triumph and what they portend