Good morning politicos, Happy Groundhog Day, and welcome to the Buzz.

Good morning politicos, Happy Groundhog Day, and welcome to the Buzz.

The word on the street is that the Pa. Supreme Court may issue its much-anticipated redistricting ruling today. And in the mean time, Republicans have an interesting ally in their fight against keeping the 2001 lines: Latinos. The Latino Lines Redistricting Coalition says it would sue to block such a move, citing the boost in Latino-majority districts from 1 to 4 under the plan rejected by the Supremes.

Rep. Thompson Endorses Rohrer: Sam Rohrer picked up the first congressional endorsement in the GOP Senate primary, plus the support of 15 of his former State House colleagues.

Good morning politicos, Happy Groundhog Day, and welcome to the Buzz.

Legislative Election Updates:

SD-29: Sen. Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill) officially announced his bid for re-election. “Since my election to the Senate three years ago, I have fought hard for the 250,000 residents of this district, from Maidencreek to McAdoo,” said Argall in a statement.  “We have written and passed some important legislation to improve our local job climate, but there is still much work to do for the people of this district.”

SD-31: Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) has drawn a primary challenger in Carlisle attorney Andrew Shaw. “I respect her many years of public service, but her votes represent a major departure from conservative, Republican principles,” he said. He’ll officially launch his bid today at the charming Middlesex Diner at 3pm.

HD-79: Rep. Rick Geist (R-Altoona) has drawn a primary challenge from Republican John McGinnis.
Geist is the chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

HD-83: Correction – this was mislabeled yesterday. Larry Stout (R) has announced his intent to run for the 83rd state house seat against Democrat Rick Mirabito of Williamsport (not a primary challenge against Franklin County Rep. Rob Kauffman.

National:
Pennsylvania Ave: Dent, Holden end of the year fundraising
Pennsylvania Ave: Santorum super PAC ad in Missouri
Politico: Florida primary: Rick Santorum says Newt Gingrich “had his opportunity”
Politico: Rush Limbaugh shows Rick Santorum some love
Real Clear Politics: Latest election polls
New York Times: Still battling GOP foes, Romney turns to face Obama
The Big Tent: Santorum Sees An Opening
Pennsylvania Ave.: Super PAC Backing Santorum Airs Ad In Missouri
Capitolwire (Paywall): Romney May Need To Hone Narrative To Make In-Roads With State’s Women Voters, Consultants Say
Beaver County Times: Santorum picks up Tancredo endorsement
Morning Call: Allentown Catholic Diocese joins outcry against Obamacare mandate on contraception coverage
Las Vegas Sun: Santorum arrives in Las Vegas like most anyone else- with the odds stacked against him
Los Angeles Times: Komen decision triggering petitions, donations

Statewide:
Capitol Ideas: Pa’s 2011-2012 Deficit Holding Steady At Around $500 Million
Capitolwire (Paywall): Bill DeWeese Takes The Stand. Jury Starts Pondering Tommorrow
Capitol Ideas: Latino Group Says It Will Sue If 2001 District Lines Are Left In Place For 2012
Capitolwire (Paywall): Senate Democrats To Defend Supreme Court Against Speaker’s Federal Lawsuit
Capitolwire (Paywall): New Grant Program Would Rely On Marcellus Shale Tax Or Corrections Cuts, Proponent Says
Capitolwire (Paywall): DPW Announces Food Stamp Asset Test Limits That Will Be Used Starting May 1
Tribune Review: Welfare secretary: Pennsylvania will raise asset limit for food stamp recipients
Post-Gazette: Toomey co-sponsors earmark ban
Post-Gazette: Democrats urge governor to fix state roads, bridges
Post-Gazette: Experts disagree on impact of gambling revenue on school tax bills
Post-Gazette: DeWeese: “I didn’t do anything wrong”
Post-Gazette: DePasquale wantes $30 million for struggling school districts
Morning Call: PA food stamp face asset test

Philadelphia:
CBS: Philly Teachers’ Union charges school district mishandling student medications
CBS: Head of Philly Fed sees brighter economic skies for the region
NBC: Pa. denies unemployment claim for former Philly superintendent
Philly Now: Philly City Council introduces resolution denouncing Anti-Foreign (Sharia) Law Bill
Heard in the Hall: Philly school buses: Your ad here!
Philly Clout: Obama has a dozen donation bundlers in Pa., most from Philly

SEPA:
Pottstown Mercury: DEP seeks origin of radioactive medical kit found in Chester County
The Intelligencer: Representatives hauling in campaign cash
Courier Times News: Bucks County expects legal battle with courthouse builder
PhillyBurbs: Representatives hauling in campaign cash

Pittsburgh:
Tribune Review: DeWeese trial set to go to jury Thursday
Tribune Review: Mayor, Pittsburgh council agree on plan to help city residents appeal new assessments
Tribune Review: Corbett urges legislative leaders to limit what towns can require of gas drillers
Tribune Review: Orie wants jurors sequestered in trial
Tribune Review: DeWeese jury hears muddled testimony
Post-Gazette: Judge WPAHS may withhold half of information UPMC seeks
Post-Gazette: City Council approves bond issue for improvements
Early Returns: DeWeese takes the witness stand
KDKA: Commerce Secretary excited about economic growth in Pittsburgh
Essential Public Radio: U.S commerce secretary applauds Pittsburgh progress

Southwest:
Beaver County Times: DeWeese takes stand at public corruption trial
Valley News Dispatch: West Allegheny, support staff reach agreement
Indiana Gazette: Marion Center: School board approves new appraisals of schools
Altoona Mirror: AG: Centre residents should not be jurors
WJAC: Gov. to visit Punxsutawney for Groundhog’s Day festivities

NEPA:
The Times Leader: Tax hike of 2 percent reduces layoffs
The Times Leader: Bill to allow home-schooled kids to play sports moves forward
The Times Leader: Three incumbent congressmen in strong fiscal shape for campaign
The Times Leader: Casey pushes for payroll tax cut
The Times Leader: Urban may take on Holden
The Times-Tribune: Corbett eases Pa. plan for food stamp asset test
The Times-Tribune: No new restrictions for Munchak
The Times-Tribune: Cabot raises new questions about EPA data
The Times-Tribune: Tax cut extension would save NEPA worker $410 or more
The Times-Tribune: Cummings mulls congressional bid
Citizens’ Voice: Nurses, Geisinger ratify new contract
Citizens’ Voice: $120.7M plan increases tax rates, calls for fewer layoffs
Standard Speaker: County’s ‘Plan B’: Judiciary funding cuts
The Daily Review: Redistricting mess focuses attention on reform bills
GoLackawanna: Chris Carney will not run for Congress this year

Lehigh Valley:
Morning Call: Nazareth Area School District names new school board member
Morning Call: PPL to move ahead with Bucks power line project
Morning Call: Allentown selects a new city council member
Reading Eagle: Thousands lose state health care
WFMZ: Health officials confirm student has bacterial meningitis
WFMZ: New police officers help beef up ranks of diminished forces
Express Times: Washington manager leaves for Clinton without much explanation

North by Northwest:
Erie Times-News: Lord Corp.’s Erie plant cleanup, redevelopment could cost $7.9M, take until 2015
Erie Times- News: PennDOT to present Linesville area bridge replacement plans
Erie Times-News: Casey asks Obama  administration for help fighting Asian Carp
Sharon Hearld: Marin 3rd democrat to plan Kelly challenge
Courier Express: Plan adds territory for New Bethlehem district court
Centre Daily Times: Centre County commissioners approve tentative budget
AP: Westward, Ho: Romney, GOP rivals now spreading out
Williamsport Sun Gazette: New loan program will help small businesses
Williamsport Sun gazette: Commissioners to vote on grant

Opinions:
Slate: Romney is Kerry, or maybe Gore
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Redistricting do over may be a good thing
Courier Express: Why pay for primary elections if they’re foregone conclusions
Courier Express: A good first step toward a smaller Legislature
Erie Times-news: Court should have elaborated on redistricting opinion
Standard Speaker: Opinion: Jail a deterrence against corruption
Standard Speaker: Opinion: Headlines tell a scary story for area
The Times-Tribune: Op-Ed: Pass legislation to keep patients ‘in network’
The Times-Tribune: Op-Ed: State role vital to economic development
The Times Leader: Op-Ed: Place pressure on pay-to-play
WHYY Newsworks: Yogi Berra Politics
Philly Inquirer: Minimize drilling’s threat to clean air
Daily Local: Editorial:  State redistricting reversal confusing for candidates
York Daily Record: Hatch Act needs a few revisions

Blogs:
Young Philly Politics: The Regulatory Accountability Act is a dangerous bill that threatens the health of our children
Young Philly Politics: PA loses $300M to gas drilling tax impasse
Keystone Liberty: Senate Democrats: Corbett’s “criminal” education cuts
Keystone State Education Coalition: Submit your questions about the state’s education budget
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Pawlowski: 40,900 reasons to like the NIZ
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Who’s worse, lobbyist or blogger?
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Reibman out, Dowd in, at DRJTBC
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: ET: Allentown NIZ losing public support
2 Political Junkies: Komen defunds Planned Parenthood breast exams
2 Political Junkies: Another logical fallacy at the Trib
2 Political Junkies: Santorum captivates Christian kids
Lu-Lac Political Letter: Write on Wednesday, and the rockets red glare
Above Average Jane: Susan G. Komen Foundation stops funding for planned parenthood
PennPatriot: Rick Geist’s challenger John McGinnis’ campaign announcement for 79th Legislative District
Keystone Politics: Without a fracking tax, PA could lose over $24B over the next 20 years
Keystone Politics: State school students call for an end to budget cuts
Keystone Politics: DePasquale: Severance tax should fund more state aid to poor school districts
Keystone Conservative: Prevailing wage reform possible in 2012
John Hanger: More than just Marcellus
John Hanger: Homeowners betting on natural gas