Corbett will roll out his plan to privatize the state’s wine & spirits stores today. And more numbers from Quinnipiac will entice political junkies. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Quinnipiac Poll: Pa. Voters Support Universal Background Checks 19 to 1: Pa. voters support universal background checks almost universally. The latest survey from Quinnipiac shows that there’s also healthy support for an assault weapons ban.
Quinnipiac Poll: Gender Gap Sinks Corbett Numbers: By a 30 point margin, Pa. women say Gov. Tom Corbett does not deserve a second term. His job approval numbers aren’t much better.
Wolf Says Guv Bid Likely: Businessman and former Pa. Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf says he’s likely to jump into the Democratic primary for Governor.
Barletta Slams Immigration Package: Pennsylvania’s fiercest critic of amnesty blasts a bipartisan package to reform immigration.
Statewide
AP: PA denies three new midstate cyber charter schools
AP: Court to weigh secrecy of PA turnpike lawyers
AP: PA labor chief says police are probing hotline problems
AP: Leading PA Senator skeptical of Governor Corbett’s pension strategy
AP: Two state agencies in dispute over health of the Susquehanna
State House Sound Bites: Poll: Corbett’s grim numbers get no bump from NCAA lawsuit
StateImpactPA: Post-Gazette: DEP Pulls Wastewater Permit
Capitolwire: Scarnati has questions about governor’s proposed pension reforms
Capitolwire: At mid-term, 51-31 against Corbett re-election, new Quinnipiac poll shows
Capitolwire: Pension reform, public education funding to be linked in Corbett budget
Philadelphia
AP: Pa. senator skeptical of Corbett pension strategy
Inquirer: Pa. voters disapprove of Gov. Corbett
Inquirer: High-powered testimony in ex-PHA chief’s lawsuit
Inquirer: Blondell’s ex-campaign chief loses city job
Daily News: Corbett: Good Bet/Bad Bet
PhillyClout: South Philly state Rep’s business partner indicted on tax charges
PhillyClout: Tuesday’s DN: Councilwoman Reynolds Brown admits to Ethics violations
PhillyClout: Councilwoman refuses to answer questions about campaign finance violations
PhillyClout: Political watchdog urges law enforcement to examine Councilwoman’s campaign finance violations
WHYY Newsworks: Gov. Corbett’s poll numbers are in a slump
Phillynow.com: Pa. Lawmakers Fight to Reform Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse
SEPA
Phillyburbs.com: Corbett administration blames drop in federal funding and old tech for unemployment busy signals
Phillyburbs.com: Corbett plan said to include wine, liquor and beer
Phillyburbs.com: State education secretary says Corbett’s budget has good news for schools
Phillyburbs.com: Pennde faces financial squeeze; seeks loan
Delco Daily Times: PA budget chief says pension reforms essential
Montgomery Media: Local legislators speak at League of Women Voters group
Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Corbett budgeting to train hundreds of new state troopers
Tribune-Review: Poll finds Corbett’s approval rate plummeting
Tribune-Review: Philadelphia group gets more time for Lawrence County casino plan
Tribune-Review: Top Senate Republican objects to linking funding in state budget
Tribune-Review: Pa. labor chief: Police probing jobless benefits hotline problems
Tribune-Review: Former revenue secretary Wolf ‘likely’ to challenge Corbett
Post-Gazette: Poll: Likely Pennsylvania voters disapprove of Corbett’s performance
Post-Gazette: Corbett’s budget to affect state employee pensions
Post-Gazette: Orie aide tells jury of work done for judicial sister
Post-Gazette: DEP pulls permit, to allow comment
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania withholds OKs for 8 cyber charter schools
Post-Gazette: Attorney for suspended Justice Orie Melvin highlights witness’ inconsistencies
Post-Gazette: Scarnati urges quick approval of transportation plan
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council unanimously approves Ravenstahl’s property tax plan
Early Returns: Q poll: No strong Corbett support anywhere
Early Returns: Toomey no on Sandy relief; Casey yes
Early Returns: Corbett to unveil LCB plan
KDKA: DEP investigating Fly Ash Hauling
KDKA: Allegheny Co. homeowners have sticker shock over new property taxes
KDKA: Locals react to proposed immigration reform
Southwest
AP: Pa. Senate OKs task force on mass shootings
AP: PSU on pace in implementing Freeh recommendations
AP: Corbett plan said to include wine, liquor, and beer
AP: Pa. state agencies arguing over Susquehanna river
AP: Melvin defense targets authenticity of documents
AP: Rendell supports ex-Philly housing czar at trial
AP: Pennsylvania budget chief says pension reforms essential
AP: State labor chief: Police probing hotline problems
Beaver County Times: Rothfus unveils committee assignments
NEPA
Times-Leader: PA reactivating solar program
Times-Tribune: Changes due for future public pensioners
Citizens Voice: Scarnati “skeptical” of Corbett’s pension strategy
Pocono Record: Foreclosure counseling available in Monroe Co.
Pocono Record: All three Pocono Twp. supervisors approved as full-time employees
Pocono Record: Penn State on pace in implementing Freeh recommendations
Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Ave: Toomey votes no on Sandy relief
Pennsylvania Ave: Lehigh Valley native, Capitol Hill staffer wins $100K on Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Pennsylvania Ave: Pa. judges to challenge mandatory retirement in state and federal courts
Pennsylvania Ave: Jammed up unemployment compensation hotline to improve, state official says
Morning Call: Brennan gets work release, trying to save government job
Morning Call: Joe Conti leaving the LCB, but not for long
Reading Eagle: Pa. budget chief says pension reforms essential
Reading Eagle: PennDOT efficiency drive could free up funds for roadwork
WFMZ: Local immigration lawyers praise President’s plan
WFMZ: Proposed immigration reform stirs local debate
Express Times: Upper Nazareth Township officials’ approval of retirement community reversed by judge
Express Times: Tony Bassil running for late Gay Elwell’s judge seat
Express Times: Freemansburg Avenue in Wilson Borough reopened following water line break, utility says – UPDATE
South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland D.A. wants charged Carlisle tax collector removed
Carlisle Sentinel: First Lady Corbett visits Carlisle school
Patriot News: Scarnati to employ legislative move to stop online gaming in PA
Patriot News: Harrisburg Recover Officer: schools saddled with debt, student exodus to charters
Patriot News: State agencies sparring over Susquehanna River designation—again!
Patriot News: Steel State: map shows most of PA Steelers fans.
Conestoga Valley News: Guns now allowed in E. Lampeter parks
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: State Ed. Sec. hints at more money for public schools in Governor’s budget
Roxbury News: Forensic audit for Harrisburg schools
Roxbury News: 46% of Harrisburg’s funding comes from state
Roxbury News: Mayor vs. City Controller feud gets its day in court
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Bizzarro to present award to Miss Pa.
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Two more Erie lawyers announce candidacies in judge’s race
Centre Daily Times: 2 Pa. congressmen ask NCAA to end Penn State scholarship reductions
Centre Daily Times: State College school board OKs new teacher contract
Centre Daily Times: Penn State conducting controlled burns in Arboretum
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Legislator sour on labor law plan’s chances, defends effort to lure refinery
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Contractor sues River Valley Transit
Opinions
Post-Gazette: No reform: The Senate botches a chance to fix the filibuster
Post-Gazette: The U.S. in Mali: Creeping involvement must be debated in Congress
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Readers’ Forum 1-29 | It’s essential to retake our culture
Blogs
Watchdog Wire: Penn State scandal, and broken promises could lead to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2013 defeat
Jon Geeting: Two Questions for the Bethlehem Mayor Candidates
Jon Geeting: Northampton County Democrats Primary Open Thread
Jon Geeting: Dean Browning Will Challenge Scott Ott in the Republican Primary
John Hanger: Key Fact: Gas Royalty Checks Total $1.2 Billion in PA
John Hanger: An Economic Tale Of Two Shale Booms: Pennsylvania is Not North Dakota
One Response
A Minnesota Twins shotglass – nice!