Good morning politicos, happy February, and welcome to the Buzz. Fourth quarter fundraising numbers are pouring in, and Republicans and Democrats continue to duke it out in lieu of a redistricting ruling.

Kane’s Cash & Internal Poll: Kathleen Kane of Lackawanna County has a roughly $1 million lead on Patrick Murphy, her Democratic opponent for Attorney General. But a Kane internal poll shows Murphy with a strong advantage in name ID.

Altmire Leads Cash Race: With 4th quarter numbers in, Congressman Jason Altmire begins 2012 with a $386,796 advantage over fellow Rep. Mark Critz in their forthcoming Democratic primary battle.

Casey: $4.4 Mil on Hand: Senator Bob Casey raised $1.09 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, bringing his campaign total to $4.347 million on hand. The number puts him on par with prospective Republican opponent Tom Smith, who also announced $4.4 million at the end of the quarter.

$1.3 Mil for Meehan: Pat Meehan’s campaign had another successful fundraising quarter to close out 2011. The Congressman announced that his campaign had raised more than $1.3 million for the year. In the 4Q alone Meehan’s campaign raised more than $312,000. These new funds leave Meehan with around $1 million in cash on hand entering 2012.

Carney Out. Former Congressman Chris Carney won’t give it another go this year. He took a pass on a rematch with Tom Marino, and a challenge to Lou Barletta.

Sestak Out? Local Dem sources say he isn’t circulating petitions to challenge Rep. Pat Meehan

Fundraising Watch: 14th Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle’s, the Democratic incumbent from Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional district, released his fourth quarter fundraising numbers Monday. They showed that the Congressman raised $114,000 from October until the end of 2011. He has also reported just over $271,000 cash on hand to begin the election year.

Where Does Santorum Go From Here? Pundits are already conceding the Florida GOP Primary to Romney as the latest Quinnipiac poll shows a 14-point lead over Gingrich. Following Gingrich is Paul at 14% and Santorum at 12%.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-37: Republican state committeewoman Sue Means has thrown her hat in the ring for Sen. John Pippy’s seat. She’ll have State Rep. Mark Mustio and possibly also gun rights advocate Kim Stolfer. For those of you at state committee on Saturday, Means and her husband were two of the more vocal opponents of endorsements.

HD-10: John Hines, a Slippery Rock township supervisor for the past 17 years, will seek the GOP nomination against Democrat Rep. Jaret Gibbons.

HD-83: Larry Stout (R) has announced his intent to run for the 83rd state house seat against Democrat Rick Mirabito of Williamsport.  (Correction, we earlier mis-labeled this district as HD-89, incumbent Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin). Oops).

HD-126: Democratic businessman Mark Rozzi will seek retiring Rep. Dante Santoni’s seat in the Reading area.

Have an election update? Email press@politicspa.com.

National:
Morning Call: Mitt Romney wins FL GOP Primary
Morning Call: Looking beyond FL: Santorum sees reason to stay in GOP race
Morning Call: Few regrets among Rick Santorum’s Florida faithful
Morning Call: On to Colorado, Santorum renews attack on healthcare overhaul
Politico: Santorum raised more than $4 million in January
Roll Call: House GOP names 10 new incumbents to protect
New York Times: Illness of Rick Santorum’s daughter, 3, tests the candidate
New York Times/The Caucus: Iowa Republican party chairman Strawn resigns after confusion over Iowa caucus vote
USA Today: Paul, Santorum take GOP campaign out West
Early Returns: Obama campaign opening Pittsburgh office
Beaver County Times: Santorum, Paul campaign out West as Florida votes
Beaver County Times: Santorum has $1.1 million in bank for GOP campaign
The Hill: House GOP closer to vote on making English the official language

Statewide:
Morning Call: Pennsylvania unemployment benefits running out for 17,000
Capitolwire (Paywall): Corman Tells Supremes To Fix Redistricting First, Talk Budget Later
Capitolwire (Paywall): Speaker Smith Asks That Fed Court Veto 2001 Map For 2012 Elections
Capitolwire (Paywall): Court Ruling Leaves Pa.’s Political World In Limbo, But House Democrats See Opportunity On Old Lines
Capitolwire (Paywall): Debate Continues Over What ‘Fair Share’ Means Regarding Marcellus Shale contributions to Pa.
Early Returns: Speaker sues to halt use of 2001 maps
Indiana Gazette: Smith asks court to invalidate state’s 2001 legislative districts
Indiana Gazette: Senator hopeful on gas-drilling bill
Central Penn Business Journal: State lost $300M without Marcellus gas tax

Philadelphia:
WHYY Newsworks: Philly controller warns school district again of financial danger
WHYY Newsworks: If Pa. high court keeps 2001 districts, Latino group vows legal action
Philly Clout: Jimmie Moore:  Call out PA National Guard to combat Philly crime
Daily News: Where’s Bella?  Santorum’s daughter wasn’t at CHOP
Philly Clout: City Planning Commission releases draft of two district plans

SEPA:
Courier Times: Fitzpatrick to hold third online town hall meeting
Delco Times: Chester County Democratic chair: Sestak will not run
Montgomery News: Indian Valley Public Library lowers budget to deal with Souderton Area School District cuts
Daily Local: Downingtown to wait before deciding well rules
The Mercury: Trivedi to challenge Gerlach in 6th congressional district
PhillyBurbs: Bucks open space grant would go to GOP contributor

Pittsburgh:
Tribune Review: Bridgewater official charged with slaying
Tribune Review: Democrats push governor to increase transportation funding
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh says it got a deal to borrow money
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh councilmen offer help with appeals
Post-Gazette: State Democrats lobby for transportation funds
Post-Gazette: DeWeese supporters push back in corruption trial
Post-Gazette: Orie defends letter seeking character witnesses
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh reaps $ million 80 projects  from bond sales
Early Returns: Sue Means to run for Pippy’s seat

Southwest:
Beaver County Times: Murphy urges 911th base be spared in defense spending cuts
Observer-Reporter: DeWeese supporters line up to testify for defense
Observer-Reporter: City Council continues to whittle away at 2012 budget
WTAE – Lawrence County: Lawmakers call out Governor to fund roads, mass transit
Daily Courier: Witness: DeWeese called for inquiry

South Central:
Carlisle Sentinel: Local elected officials gather for mixer
York Dispatch: Seventh republican announces for 4th congressional district

Lehigh Valley:
Morning Call: Allentown hockey arena area officer developer hires senator’s wife
Reading Eagle: Wilson officials say close Lincoln Park, West Wyomissing
Reading Eagle: City faces hurdles, mayor says, but has hope
Reading Eagle: Brandywine-Kutztown merger talks surface
Reading Eagle: ICE facility to stay in Berks; 60 jobs saved
Reading Eagle: Businessman seeks state House seat in the 126th District
WFMZ: Mayor ready to tackle city’s crime & money issues
Express Times: Easton Area School Board changes meeting nights
Express Times: U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett receives financial support from country’s biggest banks
Express Times: Lehigh Valley unemployment fell to 8.4 percent in December

NEPA:
GoLackawanna: Pa. Speaker of the House asks federal court to address redistricting
The Daily Review: Environmental agency calls for Marcellus air data
Standard Speaker: Lawyers vow appeals for Cordaro, Munchak
Citizens’ Voice: Nanticoke Housing Authority head fired, replacement hired
Citizens’ Voice: More than 100 layoffs projected in wake of lean budget proposal
The Times Leader: Landowners fight eminent domain over Pa. natural gas field
The Times Leader: Leniency largely rejected in Cordaro, Munchak cases
The Times Leader: Luzerne Country managers trim their budgets
The Times-Tribune: City council approves tax anticipation note, string attached
The Times-Tribune: Region’s jobless rate lowest since May, but tops in Pa.
Pocono Record: No easy answers after Supreme Court tosses redistricting map
Pocono Record: Rep. Holden tours Tobyhanna Depot

North by Northwest:
Erie Times-News: Casey asks Obama administration for help fighting Asian carp
AP: Scarnati hopeful impact fee deal can be reached
Courier Express: Jobless rates show mixed picture in Tri-County area
AP: Smith goes to federal court over redistricting
Centre Daily Times: Md. bill would ban import of fracking wastewater
Centre Daily Times: Landowners fight eminent domain in Pa. gas field
Williamsport Sun Gazette: City leaders, developers view diversty and options as solution to housing shortage and rental crisis
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Unresolved redistricting a bit fuzzy

Opinion:
Evan Feinberg, Post-Gazette: The Kid Replies
The Washington Post: Opinion: Time to run for office, 99 percenters
Williamsport Sun Gazette: City pools facing an uphill battle
Centre Daily Times: Obama-Romney debate would be one for the ages
Erie Times-News: Giffords’ resignation shows guns rule in America
Erie Times-News: Small-business loans help Erie
Times News: Opinion: Vote suppression
The Daily Review: Op-Ed: Time to close the loophole
Wayne Independent: Opinion: Court ruling will impact this state
Citizens’ Voice: Op-Ed: Build revenue and fairness
The Times-Tribune: Opinion: State needs sound course for charter schools
The Times-Tribune: Opinion: Lingering question is deterrence
The Times-Tribune: Opinion: Keep local say on drilling
The Times Leader: Op-Ed: Keep combating corrupt culture
Op-Ed, Patriot-News: PA needs to curb food stamp abuse
Philly Inquirer: The political debate we need
Pottstown Mercury: Mitt Romney’s unsolvable Massachusetts problem
Pottstown Mercury: PA redistricting reversal confounds candidates
Morning Call: Opinion: Supreme Court says abortion is a woman’s choice
Morning Call: Opinion: A driver’s license is a privilege, not a right
Main Line: Presidential-campaign theme song: ‘Fanfare for the common man?’
PhillyBurbs: Don’t be fooled by political attacks
Tribune Democrat: Editorial: No matter your party, help keep seat in your area

Blogs:
The Hill: Casey urges Obama to stop Freddie Mac bets against homeowners
PA Budget & Policy Center: Gas drilling tax imposes PA $300M
2 Political Junkies: State v. Church
2 Political Junkies: Senator Toomey responds
Lu-Lac Political Letter: Urban running?
Keystone Politics: Why oh why can’t we have a better PA Democratic party?
John Hanger: FL’s biggest electric utility switching from oil to gas, saving $460M in 2012 fuel costs
John Hanger: Rep. Vitali may challenge PA Congressional redistricting
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Sen. Pat Browne denies lobbyist wife is conflict of interest
Keystone State Education Coalition: Shock & awe, coming to a school near you?