The latest Harper poll results, the House initiates impeachment proceedings against Kane and Wolf warns of a budget “train wreck”. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Harper Poll: Kane 31% Zappala 18% Shapiro 13%: The Attorney General leads in the latest Harper Poll when she is included in the field of AG candidates.

PA-Sen: Harper Poll: Sestak 33% McGinty 28% Fetterman 11%: The race has narrowed three months out from the primary.

Harper Poll: Clinton 55% Sanders 28%: Harper surveys Pennsylvania Democrats on their presidential choice.

PA-6: Brady Endorses Li: The Democratic candidate unveiled a list of endorsements, headlined by the Philadelphia power broker.

House Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Kane: The State House Judiciary Committee took the first step towards impeachment.

PA-BGT: Wolf: PA Heading Toward a “Train Wreck”: After seemingly giving up on this year’s budget, it’s on to the next one.

DePasquale Officially Kicks Off Re-Election Bid: The Auditor General vows there is still much work to be done as he seeks a second term.

PA-2: Judge Warns Fattah About His Priorities: The indicted Congressman is focusing on his re-election efforts.

Senate Votes Against Kane in Party-Line Vote: Any decision will depend, however, on the State Supreme Court.

Legislative Elections Update

HD-58: State Rep. Ted Harhai announced that he won’t be running for re-election

“It’s time,” the Democratic lawmaker explained. “I’m very grateful to the people of the 58th district. I worked as hard as I could and provided the best public service I could for them. It’s a seven-day-a-week job. I’m grateful for their support.”

The 58th district includes parts of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties.

HD-72: Ebensburg Borough Councilwoman Cecilia Houser will be running for the Republican nomination in this seat.

“Now more than ever, we need leaders in the State House who will put the needs of their residents ahead of partisan politics,” Houser said. “As State Representative, I will work tirelessly to protect our values and always put our families, seniors and small businesses first.”

The 72nd district is made up of parts of Cambria and Somerset Counties.

HD-163: Jamie Santora won the unanimous endorsement of the Republican committee for his re-election effort yesterday.

“It is encouraging to receive this endorsement from the committee people – it shows they are confident and supportive of the work I have done in the legislature during my first term,” Santora said. “One year into my term, I am proud to say that the House, for the first time, successfully passed property tax reform that is awaiting action by the Senate. I have also introduced legislation that will restore $3 billion in education funding for the current budget year and was instrumental in getting legislation approved that will ensure scholarship money remains available for low and middle income students to attend private and Archdiocesan schools.”

The 163rd district is located in Delaware County.

HD-165: Radnor Township Commissioner Elaine Paul Schaefer will be running as a Democrat to fill this open seat.

“As Pennsylvania approaches seven months without a complete budget, it has become clear that our community is not being well represented amid the political gamesmanship in Harrisburg,” stated Schaefer. “The issues that matter most to residents of this area are not partisan issues – strong and well-funded public schools, preservation of the natural resources and few remaining open spaces for our health and recreation, support and consideration of both our small businesses and of our less fortunate residents, reasonable gun control so that our families can feel safe – progress on these issues has been held hostage by the ridiculous partisan antics in the capitol.”

The 165th district represents parts of Delaware County.

Statewide
Capitolwire: IFO offers revised revenue projections, cautions about structural debt
Capitolwire: Senate panel pauses Kane removal process to await Supreme Court action
State House Sound Bites: On Kane’s removal, Senate panel equivocates
PLSReporter: Dermody: “Let’s get a budget this year and one next year”
PLSReporter: Costa gives budget discussion update
PLSReporter: Resumption of five-party budget negotiations leaves little insight as to way forward

Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: On Kane’s removal, Pa. Senate panel equivocates
WHYY Newsworks: Another challenger hopes to wrest congressional seat from Fattah
Inquirer: Philly election chiefs nix docl-their-pay proposal – for now
Inquirer: How’d Kenney handle storm? Pretty well, most say
Inquirer: Clinton raises $, meets clergy in Philly
Heard in the Hall: Nutter to teach at Columbia

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Ex-Philly prosecutor named first assistant DA in Montgomery County
Montgomery Media: Bond refinancing to save Upper Dublin School District $1 million
Bucks Local News: Neshaminy school Board passes $184.7M preliminary budget for 2016-17 school year; contains $15.2M deficit with possibility of tax hike

Pittsburgh
City Paper: The Pa. Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate share their plans for affordable housing
City Paper: Despite numerous requests, Pittsburgh police refuse to release data on guns used in violent crimes
Tribune Review: Report: Senate should act on Kane only if law license remains suspended
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Senate OKs bill to reduce House but not itself
WESA: Market Slide At The Start Of 2016 Could Mean Trouble For Pension Funds
WESA: Lawsuit Prompts PA To Expand Mental Health Treatment Options

Southwest
Beaver County Times: As Feb. 15 deadline looms, Beaver County officials work to rein in spending in 2016 budget
Beaver County Times: Leadership changes occurring at Marion Township Police Department
Observer-Reporter: Charleroi Area School District gets grants for STEM initiatives
Observer-Reporter: Cal U. student enters state House race
Observer-Reporter: Mon Valley Republican announces bid for 58th District seat

NEPA
Times-Leader: Dallas School District approves $38.3 million preliminary budget for 2016-17
Times-Leader: Wilkes-Barre Mayor George not ruling out tax increase and layoffs in amended budget
Citizens Voice: Wyoming Area preliminary budget includes tax increases
Standard Speaker: School board hires former Hazelton chief

South Central
York Daily Record: York spends most of its snow removal budget
York Dispatch: Washington Twp. man seeks Sen. Vance’s seat
Lancaster Intelligencer: Supreme Court ruling could mean new sentencing hearings for 13 convicted of murder in Lancaster County
Lancaster Intelligencer: With high levels of radon in Lancaster County, officials urge testing by homeowners
Lancaster Intelligencer: County GOP endorses Smucker for Congress, divided over his replacement
Carlisle Sentinel: Snow removal could lead to budget adjustment for Carlisle
Patriot-News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf, legislative leaders meet with new focus on finishing budget, tabling contentious side issues

Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Why are city schools still closed 4 days after storm?
Express Times: Easton’s mayor critical of Peace Candle lighting date
Express Times: John Morganelli calls for ‘house cleaning’ of AG’s office upon Kathleen Kane’s removal
WFMZ: Allentown Parking Authority receives federal subpoena
Reading Eagle: Reading Mayor Wally Scott announces nominee for police chief
Morning Call: Kathleen Kane law license panel recommends no Senate vote now
Morning Call: Advocates and Allentown officials devising plan to keep homeless sheltered in next storm

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Ag bill would make up for governor’s veto, Sen. Yaw says
Erie Times-News: Foust offers EMTA changes
Erie Times-News: Lenhart announces candidacy for state House nomination

Opinion
Reading Eagle: Municipal merger referendum welcome
Lancaster Intelligencer: With no real state budget in place, and Farm Show prizes on hold, there will be no blue ribbons for our political leaders in Harrisburg
Patriot-News: Do lawmakers really need to play the ‘Blizzard Blame Game’?
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State tax burden explains why more of same is opposed
Erie Times-News: Require passing district judge test first
Post-Gazette: Bed check: Pa. needs a unified system to aid the mentally ill
Post-Gazette: Sound evidence: ShotSpotter speeds police response to crime scenes
Inquirer: Kenny, Rendell: Help Philly be good hosts for DNC

Blogs
Citified: Nutter joins faculty at Columbia U.
Citified: Renee Tartaglione Indicted By Feds
Citified: Why SEPTA Transfers Should Be Free
Keystone State Education Coalition: A Failing Grade for K-12 State Takeovers