Fitzpatrick’s brother considers a campaign, a number of candidates release their latest fundraising totals and Wolf blasts the GOP over the budget in a new video. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!
PA-8: Another Fitzpatrick?: Could the Congressman’s brother be considering a campaign?
PA-8: Q4: Naughton Raises $320K, Holds $630,000 COH: The 2016 Democratic congressional candidate had her best fundraising quarter to close out 2015.
PA-2: Sims Reports $230K Haul: State Rep. Brian Sims releases the first fundraising numbers for his congressional campaign.
HD-202: Solomon Raises $75,000 in 2015: The State House candidate reveals his 2015 fundraising haul.
PA-BGT: Wolf: GOP Budget ‘Plain Unfinished’ (VIDEO): The six-month standoff is not over yet.
PA-Sen: Sestak Rips Toomey Over Iran Sanctions: The former U.S Congressman is urging the U.S. to stick to the nuclear deal.
Kane Won’t Testify At Senate Hearing: The Attorney General will pass on the opportunity to defend herself before the State Senate.
PA Congressmen Respond to President’s Executive Action on Guns: Some of the Keystone State’s representatives react to Pres. Obama’s initiative.
Legislative Elections Update
HD-87: GOP State Rep. Greg Rothman announced that he’ll be running for re-election. He was first elected last August in a special election. “It has been an incredible honor to serve in this position,” he said. “I have learned a lot in a short period of time and am excited about the opportunity to continue to represent the people of Cumberland County.” The 87th district includes parts of Cumberland County.
HD-104: State Rep. Sue Helm revealed that she will be running for re-election again this year. The Republican has served in that seat since 2006. The 104th district is contained in Dauphin County.
HD-152: Albert DerMovsesian, a Democratic committeeman from Upper Moreland, announced his candidacy today. Tom Murt has served as the State Representative in that seat since 2007. The 152nd district is made up of parts of Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.
Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Kane “Unlikely” To Show For Removal Hearing
State House Sound Bites: Lawmakers Mull Leaving Wolf’s Deep Cuts to Budget
StateImpactPA: DEP finalizes new oil and gas drilling regulations
PLSReporter: With General Fund almost out of money, Treasury opens up $2 billion credit line to keep cash flowing
Capitolwire: New testing shift toward college entrance exams not likely in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Inquirer: In thwarted move, Justice Eakin tried to install new leaders in city courts
Inquirer: “Let’s do it”: Sandwich and soda in hand, Mayor Kenney starts setting a tone
Inquirer: In Pa. and N.J., little impact likely from Obama gun order
Inquirer: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss: Anthony Clark to chair Philly election overseers again
Heard in the Hall: Kenney picks revenue commissioner
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. lawmakers mull leaving Wolf’s deep cuts to budget
WHYY Newsworks: A kinder, gentler Mummers Parade appears to be in Philly’s future
WHYY Newsworks: Much-criticized Philly city commissioner again gets $136,161 chairman’s post
SEPA
Courier-Times: Cosby’s hearing on sex assault charges delayed
Courier-Times: At area gun shops, business booming after Obama’s order
Courier-Times: Netflix says no series planned with former Bucks County resident
Montgomery Media: Wolf visits PRA Health Sciences in Blue Bell as part of ‘Jobs That Pay’ tour
Montgomery Media: Ceremony ushers in start of new Montgomery County administration
Pittsburgh
WTAE: Pennsylvania gets $2 billion credit line amid budget fight, deficit
City Paper: Hunt Armory deal might be bad for Pittsburgh’s affordable-housing fund
WESA: Special Elections Set For Pennsylvania Legislature Vacancies
WESA: Charter Schools Cry Foul Over Funding Cut
Post-Gazette: ICA delivers $2.9 million to Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh school board holds millage rate at 9.84 mills
Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh kicks off yearlong bicentennial celebration
Tribune-Review: Settlement in wrongful death suit concerning former Steeler White against UPMC part of public records
Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Fired solicitor ‘enjoyed’ time at Greenfield Township
Altoona Mirror: Bedford county approves $1.5M tax note
Beaver County Times: Republican announces run for state House in 10th District
NEPA
Pocono Record: Local gun advocates, politicians blast the president’s measures on gun control
Pocono Record: New Pa. Supreme Court justice takes oath
Wayne Independent: Sandra Major announces her retirement
Wayne Independent: Smith to serve as chairman
Standard Speaker: Oaths and appointments during Banks Twp. reorganization
Times Leader: Gap remains in “stopgap” education budget
South Central
Sentinel: Anthony joins Mechanicsburg Borough Council
York Daily Record: Susan Byrnes’ presides over first county meeting
Patriot-News: Rob Teplitz announces launch of re-election campaign for Senate seat
Patriot-News: Pa. borrows biggest-ever $2 billion from state Treasury
Patriot-News: School funding distribution gives rise to new battle between Wolf, GOP lawmakers
LancasterOnline: Lloyd Smucker edges out Chet Beiler in third GOP straw poll
Lebanon Daily News: State Rep. Gingrich denies rumors
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: The race is on for the Legislature
Reading Eagle: Lehigh County man running for State House district that includes Kutztown area
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council interviews candidates for open seat
Reading Eagle: Lawmaker who represents part of northern Berks County will seek re-election
Reading Eagle: Kenhorst Council members must attend meetings to get paid
Lehigh Valley Live: Warren County sheriff’s race quickly gets crowded
North by Northwest
Sun Gazette: Baney officially takes the seat as Lock Haven mayor
Centre Daily Times:Ferguson Township supervisor-elect declines seat
Centre Daily Times: Development, budget among top issues
Centre Daily Times: Commissioners OK county budget amid state impasse
Opinion
Go Erie: Turned off by today’s politics? Remember things change
York Daily Record: Who wins with Wolf’s line-item veto? Nobody
Patriot-News: Critics misfire on Obama’s mild gun controls
Patriot-News: Live in a Red State? You’re probably more dependent on federal aid
Post-Gazette: Patience taxed: Pennsylvanians deserve a complete budget – now
Post-Gazette: Sober warning: Campuses must counter assaults on game days
Inquirer: Put focus on gun sales
Daily News: Kenney needs to be more than a visionary manager
Blogs
Citified: Bobby’s Henon’s Promotion Is a Big Deal
Citified: Darrell Clarke Is Already Upstaging Mayor Kenney
2 Political Junkies: The President, Yesterday
Commonwealth Foundation: Governor Wolf’s Budget Hostages
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One Response
I got a strange phone call from a pollster regarding the presidential and US Senate-PA primaries. I was asked mostly about the Democratic Senate candidates. I didn’t recognize the out fit they said they were with, but the person stumbled over how to pronounce Braddock PA (like the British General in the French and Indian War, my grandparents live in that area, I know). The weird question was when they asked: ” if Joe Sestak were to run as an Independent, would you vote for Toomey, McGinty or Sestak?” I live in Sestak’s old district, I volunteered for him in the past, although I don’t know whether I will in 2016. (He kept silent, as far as I know, in October after our military attacked an MSF [Docs w/o Borders] hospital in Kunduz, when his military background would have given him credibility to call for a thorough investigation of that cluster****, which means I’m now an undecided Democrat.) So I was paying attention in 2010 when he told everyone, including Democrats who remembered the not too long before that Joe Lieberman/Ned Lamont situation in CT, that Pennsylvania had a “sore loser law” and that Arlen Specter couldn’t run as Independent. Was the poll that called simply commissioned by an outside group, maybe a 527, that doesn’t know Pennsylvania election law? My understanding is that the only way Joe Sestak could possibly run as independent would be to forego the Democratic primary altogether. Is there an actual rumor (spread by someone besides Dave Diano) that Joe Sestak would run as an independent or is it a subtle push poll to smear Sestak? Has anyone gotten calls from the same polling firm? It gave me positive and negative statements about both Sestak and McGinty and asked whether those unverified factoids would influence my vote or make no difference, it did include John Fetterman and asked briefly about the presidential primary.