The 2016 DNC is scheduled, the December jobs report is released and judicial candidates are lining up support. Plus, last week’s Ups & Downs! Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!
1/23 Ups & Downs: Inauguration, resignation and very little legislation. See who made this week’s list!
2016 Democratic National Convention Scheduled: The Democrats will hold their convention the week of July 25th, a week after the Republican convention.
December Jobs Report: Unemployment Down to 4.8%: Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate hits its lowest point in over five years.
Commonwealth Court Candidate Wojcik Writes Letter Seeking Dem Endorsement: Michael Wojcik invoked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade to exemplify the importance of judges.
Influential Politicos To Host Fundraisers for Judicial Candidates: Two Democratic candidates for judicial office will receive some significant fundraising help.
Statewide
Capitolwire: DeLissio Receives Committee Appointments for 2015-16 Legislative Session
Capitolwire: Costa Working to Protect All Kids from Bullying
Capitolwire: Quinn Announces Committee Assignments for 2015-16 Legislative Session
Capitolwire: Benninghoff Continues to Fight for Adoptees Right to Birth Records
Capitolwire: Schreiber and Bracey Seek Meeting on York Schools
Philadelphia
The Inquirer: Wolf Already Clashing with GOP
The Inquirer: Kenney Decides to Run for Mayor
Daily News: Trujillo Sending Staff, Money to Kenney?
Daily News: Confirmed: Lynne Abraham Opposed to Animal Cruelty
WHYY Newsworks: How Would You Grill the Applicants for the Job of Philly Mayor?
WHYY Newsworks: The Obama Solar Success Story that Nobody Talks About
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Chester County Political Leaders Divided Over State of the Union
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. Lawmakers Revive Efforts to Close Union Stalking Loophole
Pottstown Mercury: Grand Jury Wants Narrower Shield Law for Journalists
Bucks County Courier Times: State Lawmakers Revise 2015-2016 State Committee Assignments
Bucks County Courier Times: Kane Investigations Keeps Mystifying State’s Legal Community
Delco Daily Times: Divided Commissioners Pick Leaders in Haverford
Delco Daily Times: Chester DJ Dawn L. Vann Suspended Among Ethics Probe
Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: State’s No-bid Contracts with Private Law Firms Prompt Scrutiny
Tribune-Review: Wolf says he Recalled Appointees on Principle and to Gain Respect
Tribune-Review: Report Questions Spending of Federal Job Training Dollars
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Insurance Customers like Obamacare and the Price Wars for Business
Post-Gazette: Possible GOP Candidates Pitch Ideas at Forum
Post-Gazette: Joe Biden’s Touch Endears him to Tim Murphy
Post-Gazette: Open Records Director Shows up to Work; Acting Director, too
Early Returns: Workers Line up to Meet Wolf
Early Returns: Allegheny County Unloads Fitzgerald’s SUV
Pittsburgh Business Times: Peduto Releases Names of Donors for ‘Undercover Boss’ gifts
Southwest
Beaver County Times: Shale Development Slowing Due to Market Prices
Beaver County Times: The Boom-Proof Economy: How to Handle a Fracking Bust
Beaver County Times: Planning Commission Chairwoman Announces County Commissioner Campaign
Observer-Reporter: AP: Analysis: GOP Calls for Bipartisanship, says Obama Defiant
Observer-Reporter: State Advisory Council Receives Comments on Act 54 Mine Subsidence Report
Observer-Reporter: AP: Kane Investigation Keeps Mystifying State’s Legal Community
Tribune-Democrat: Local Nonprofits Worry Cost of Background Checks may Deter Volunteers
Tribune-Democrat: State Expands List of those Working with Kids who Must Pass Background Checks
NEPA
Times-Leader: Councilman, Former Police Chief Tony George Kicks off Run for Wilkes-Barre Mayor
Times-Leader: Affordable Healthcare Creates New Taxing Hurdles for Wyoming Valley Residents
Times-Leader: Charities, Cities at Odds over Constitutional Amendment
Times-Leader: Wilkes-Barre Council Race Taking Shape, All Five Seats Open
Pocono Record: Monroe Rep. Parker to Serve on Four Committees
Pocono Record: Attorney General Kane Walked Fine Line, but Did She Cross It
Wayne Independent: Councilman Withdraws from Apartment Case
South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: State denies chance for parking changes in Harrisburg
Carlisle Sentinel: State officials emphasize safe driving, preparation with winter storms
Patriot-News: Gov. Wolf visits PennDOT salt shed, urges residents to stay off roads ahead of snowstorm
Patriot-News: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf points to Tom Ridge-era case as setting precedent for dismissal of state’s Open Records Officer
Patriot-News: Gov. Tom Wolf greets state workers: ‘He made me feel welcome’
York Daily Record: Wolf calls dispute over open records director ‘a gift’
York Daily Record: Wolf’s inauguration day completes journey from Mount Wolf to Harrisburg
York Dispatch: Prendergast running for York County judge
Lebanon Daily News: Folmer ready, eager for new Senate assignments
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: New poll shows challenge for Toomey in 2016
Morning Call: Wolf-Senate very close to shortest celebrity marriage ever
Morning Call: Bethlehem Controller David DiGiacinto dies, former councilman was 61
Reading Eagle: Berks Habitat leader enters Reading mayor race
Reading Eagle: Independent candidate to run for mayor of Reading
Express-Times: Bethlehem controller remembered as fiscal watchdog, family man
Express-Times: Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano to run for statewide seat
Express-Times: Attorney enters Northampton County Council race
North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Palmer Museum of Art lends 2 pieces to Harrisburg exhibit marking Wolf inauguration
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Divided over Cuba: Local people weigh in on restoring relations
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers from region learn committee assignments
Erie Times-News: Short honeymoon for Gov. Wolf?
Erie Times-News: Wolf sets aside Earll’s reappointment to state education board
Opinion
Post-Gazette: Nasty Start: Gov. Wolf Picks a Fight that was Unnecessary
The Inquirer: Limited Utility
Philly.com: Philly’s Economy Still Lagging
Tribune-Review: Notes on the State of Things
Times-Leader: Time to Grow Up
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: New child abuse laws a positive step
York Daily Record: White roses and thorns
Blogs
Citified: Lynne Abraham’s First Campaign Video Stars … Lots of Dogs and Ghandi?
Citified: Nutter on Ori Feibush: “A Little Jerk with a Big Checkbook”
Pittston Politics: Coleman Resigns as Exeter Mayor, Takes Position with Gov.Wolf
Pittston Politics: Kelly Is in, Might Be the Spoiler
Keystone State Education Coalition: Dworetzsky: Approve Quality Charters or Reject Them All? Which Is the Irresponsible Move?
Above Average Jane: John Oliver at the Tower Theater