Lawmakers in Harrisburg are testing the waters on several major legislative initiatives to coincide with the Governor’s budget address. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
1/25 Ups & Downs: It was a weird week in Harrisburg, and we gave out almost all ‘Downs.’
Governing Magazine: Kane a Pol to Watch: Governing Magazine has listed newly elected PA Attorney General Kathleen Kane as a State Official to Watch.
PA Angle: The Clinton Benghazi Hearings: Here’s what members of the Pa. delegation had to say during Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Wednesday testimony about the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya.
Reader Poll: Do You Support Gov. Corbett’s Plan to Remove the Cap on Wholesale Gas Taxes? Removing the cap on the gasoline wholesale tax could go a long way towards funding Pa.’s transportation projects. Do you support the Governor’s plan?
Reader Poll: Corbett’s NCAA Lawsuit Will Not Aid Re-Election: Voters aren’t optimistic that the NCAA lawsuit will aid Corbett’s re-election, see it as a political move.
Statewide
PA Independent: Week in Review: Pennsylvania lawmakers’ agenda a lot like last year’s
StateImpactPA: Fracking’s Other Danger: Radiation
Capitolwire: McCord, still skeptical of Lottery deal, says withholding payments revolves around Keno details
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Gun show in Northeast Philadelphia does brisk business
Inquirer: Thomas Fitzgerald: Corbett’s road show
Inquirer: Pa. lawmaker seeks to change offensive name of mountain
Inquirer: Risks Are High in Kane’s Corbett Probe
Philly.com: PhillyDeals: State pension board made expensive bet on hedge funds
Philly.com: Clout: City Commission fights ‘fact-finding team’
WHYY Newsworks: Philly pension fund closer to pulling gun company investments
WHYY Newsworks: Philly ethics board giving teeth to campaign rules
WHYY Newsworks: City Commission won’t play ball with Nutter’s team
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Dems differ with Corbett pension assessment
City Paper: Inspector General: Worries about office’s independence aren’t just hypothetical
Phillynow.com: Health Care Advocates and Politicians Discuss Obamacare Savings in Philly
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: As pension crisis looms, Pottsgrove thankful for foresight.
Pottstown Mercury: PA Pensions by the numbers
Pottstown Mercury: Pottsgrove mulls $61 million budget with 3.3% tax hike
Phillyburbs.com: Fitzpatrick pushing states to get on board with background checks
Pittsburgh
AP: Imprisoned Pennsylvania ex-senator Fumo hospitalized with heart problems
AP: Lawmakers want ‘Negro Mountain’ to get new name
Tribune Review: Fight over union gains steam in state
Tribune Review: Retiring liquor board CEO Conti rehired as temporary worker with governor’s blessing
Tribune Review: LCB chief Conti to retire, return as consultant
Post-Gazette: PLCB chief to retire, then return as consultant
Post-Gazette: Bill would alter funding for charter schools in Pa.
Post-Gazette: Lawyer: Justice Orie Melvin worked too hard to be corrupt political operative
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh creates state-ordered task force to study nonprofit gifts to government
Post-Gazette: City council races starting to take shape
Post-Gazette: Port Authority board postpones decision on CEO bland
Post-Gazette: Judge unseals ‘Jane Doe’ lawsuit documents sought by suspended Justice Orie Melvin
KDKA: Pittsburgh Police Chief expected back at work next week
KDKA: Trial underway at in Orie-Melvin Case
KDKA: Decision over Port Authority CEO’s jobs delayed
Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Battle lines taking shape over Pa. highways bill
Observer-Reporter: Justice Melvin is innocent, attorney tells jury
Altoona Mirror: Legislators meeting about prison closure
Altoona Mirror: State’s electoral system faces new GOP challenge
NEPA
Times-Leader: Third-class cities’ problems, solutions to be addressed
Times-Tribune: Tax collector announces run for mayor
Times-Tribune: Scranton to borrow $22M through arcane financing mechanism
Citizens Voice: Counties want block grant program extended
News Item: Gilberton council shows support for Second Amendment
Wayne Independent: Honesdale councilman found guilty of DUI
Wayne Independent: Ex-county employee pleads guilty to theft
Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Ave: Jaindl wants zoning challengers to post $500,000 bond
Pennsylvania Ave: Pension agency official’s salary is blasted by state treasurer
Pennsylvania Ave: Voter ID debate returns
Morning Call: Allentown Mayor Pawlowski: City in transformation
Reading Eagle: John Forester: Nobody winning this showdown
Reading Eagle: A few Democrats could decide fate of gun measures
WFMZ: Taxes going up for residents of Quakertown Community School District
Express Times: Ex-Alburtis councilman gets long probation for stealing campaign signs, driving through farm field
Express Times: UGI: Service restored for Coplay, Whitehall Township customers with natural gas heat
South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: County property tax/sales tax shift won’t work; need statewide solution
Harrisburg Patriot News: Dillsburg contractor sues Williamsport for nearly $600K
Harrisburg Patriot News: Senate committees join up to examine school safety
Lebanon Daily News: Pro-life supporters take to streets in Lebanon
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon councilman organizers fundraisers to buy K-9 officer
York Dispatch: E. York schools may exceed state property tax cap
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) bill would allow children of illegal aliens to attend state universities
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Millersville council rejects sewer plant bids
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Lancaster Co. foreclosures spike 39.2%
Roxbury News: Lottery privatization: the process so far
Roxbury News: Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) proposes charter school reforms
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: County Council’s Cleaver announces re-election bid
Erie Time-News Campaign ’13 Blog: Pittsburgh chief returns Monday; denies wrongdoing
Centre Daily Times: New student housing anticipated to meet current need, but officials are starting to plan ahead
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Yaw: State must deal with pension problem
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Lengthy election process opens for PSU trustees
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Authority briefed on treatment plant construction upgrades
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Senator says transportation project, gas keys to growth
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Council: New police contract caps pensions
Opinions
Brad Bumsted, Tribune Review: Kathleen Kane’s (lottery) conundrum
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: The long march to overturn Roe
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: A tax hike is not a tax hike when…
Carlisle Sentinel: Women in combat
Carlisle Sentinel: Every little bit helps
News Item: Study tax collector options fiscally prudent
Tribune Review: Farm bill mess
Post-Gazette: Sub-par options: Charter schools as a class don’t measure up
Beaver County Times: Losing GOP scheming to rig Electoral College vote
Observer-Reporter: Don’t be fooled by conspiracies
Altoona Mirror: Altoona raises public ire
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: A win-win for lottery, pension funds, taxpayers
Blogs
Keystone Conservative: Sen. Toomey discusses bipartisan Earmark Elimination Act with Neil Cavuto
Pennsylvania Conservative: Commissioner Castor: The Clear, Common Sense, Conservative Choice Over Corbett- PART 1
Keystone Politics: Replace Inheritance Tax Exemption for Business Assets with Higher Inheritance Tax Rate
Young Philly Politics: The Reports of Unions’ Death Are Greatly Exaggerated