2/22 Morning Buzz

PA Supreme Court Justices
One of these is not like the others

Guilty. Pa. Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin was found guilty on 6 counts of corruption. Plus a change at the PA Dems and a new candidate for LG. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Don’t forget to check back later for the Ups & Downs.

Orie Melvin Guilty on 6 of 7 Counts: Pa. Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin is guilty of 6 out of 7 counts of corruption, a jury found Thursday afternoon.

Washo Leaving PA Dems: Kevin Washo, the Pa. Dems’ Executive Director, is handing off the torch. Elena Cross will serve as interim ED.

DCCC Tries to Tag Fitz with Sequester (Watch Video): Dems are looking to tie vulnerable GOP incumbents to the forthcoming sequester cuts. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick is one of 27 incumbents in the nation and the only member of Congress from Pa. on the target list.

Bradford County Commish Launches LG Bid: Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith Thursday announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

Statewide
Capitolwire: Lawmakers blast NCAA lawsuit aiming to overturn law regulating sanctions
Capitolwire: Auditors using ‘ancient,’ less efficient tech system, DePasquale says
Capitolwire: DEP’s Krancer says shale impact fee will cover eliminated conservation district funds
Capitolwire: AG Kane requests $12 million budget increase
Capitolwire: Corbett administration, IFO $237 million apart on 2012-13 fiscal year revenues
Capitolwire: Treasurer McCord discusses budget, state debt
Capitolwire: Treasurer McCord says Gov. Corbett’s pension proposals ‘make the problem worse’
PA Independent: Dated equipment holding back state audits, DePasquale says
PA Independent: Pileggi pushes for update to vague law on personal data theft
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin convicted
StateImpact PA: Lawmaker: DEP Chief Michael Krancer denies climate change
StateImpact PA: DEP Secretary Michael Krancer clarifies views on climate change

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Council moves to ease possible AVI tax pain for some
Inquirer: Recent train deaths spur call for SEPTA action
Inquirer: Orie Melvin could be ordered from office or impeached
Inquirer: Philly City Council raps, dances, jokes—for a good cause
Inquirer: Protesters decry proposed Philadelphia school closings
Commonwealth Confidential: House budget hearings highlight row offices
Heard in the Hall: Two new AVI bills in Council
PhillyClout: Former assistant DA to challenge Philly DA
PhillyClout: Councilman wants to end employer requests for social media passwords
PhillyClout: Council looking for ways to help under AVI
WHYY: Toomey says sequester won’t be that bad

SEPA
AP: Report: Flaws in EPA drilling pollution data
Delco Daily Times: Haverford School District raising taxes
Delco Daily Times: Upper Darby School District seeking input during budget process
Delco Daily Times: Four public forums scheduled to discuss Upper Darby schools budget
Pottstown Mercury: Full text of bill to legalize marijuana in Pa. unveiled
phillyburbs.com: Comcast to stop accepting gun ads
Montgomery Media: Perkiomen Valley School Board OKs $94.6M prelim budget, eyes 5.4 percent tax hike
Bucks Local News: Lower Makefield backs down on plans to lobby state to ban carrying guns in public parks, cites outcry over right to bear arms
Daily Local News: County Republicans seek strength in unity

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Melvin guilty of six of seven counts
Tribune Review: Investigators trace Heinz insider trading to Goldman Sachs account
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh police suspend employees who had company with former Chief Harper
Post-Gazette: Acting Pittsburgh police Chief McDonald says changes coming to bureau
Post-Gazette: Ravenstahl’s bodyguards had police credit union debit cards
Early Returns: Breakfast Sausage: Five stories to read this morning
Early Returns: Peduto sees “corruption” in Ravenstahl admin
Early Returns: Justice Joan Orie Melvin convicted
KDKA: Questions Piling Up Amid Chief Harper’s Resignation
KDKA: Ravenstahl Looking Outside Department For Next Chief
KDKA: Black History Month: ‘From Slavery To Freedom’ Exhibit
WTAE: Pa. Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin guilty on all but 1 count
WTAE: 13 Fayette Co. students suspended for ‘Harlem Shake’ video
WTAE: Lawyer wants marijuana evidence tossed
WPXI: Judge: US Steel can test new employees for booze
WPXI: Couple returns $11K found in bag on Golden Gate Bridge

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Pa. Supreme Court justice convicted of corruption
Beaver County Times: Brighton Twp. man accused of contracting fraud
Observer-Reporter: County chooses firm to secure jail’s portal
Observer-Reporter: Waynesburg U. administrator to be elected presbyter in Greensburg
Observer-Reporter: Senate panel rolls out welcome mat for AG Kane
Altoona Mirror: NCAA responds with own lawsuit
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: GALLERY | Star Wars fans feel the Force at lightsaber class
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Private US firms take major role vs. cyberattacks

NEPA
The Times Leader: Bradford County commissioner running for Lt. Governor
The Times Leader: Barletta urged not to be ‘negative’ on immigrants
Times-Tribune: Tobyhanna Army Depot could face $300M in cuts
Times-Tribune: Scranton parking garage revenues not meeting expectations
Times-Tribune: AG Kane hopes lottery contract issue stays out of court
Times-Tribune: NCAA sues Corbett, other state officials over law to keep fine funds in Pennsylvania
Citizens Voice: County compliance failure with new health law would be costly
Wayne Independent: Governor Corbett Announces Investments to Improve Students’ Walking, Biking Safety

Lehigh Valley
AP: NCAA challenges state law intervening in Penn State settlement
Express-Times: Gov. Tom Corbett visits site of future Lehigh County emergency services hub
Morning Call: PA Superior Court to hold a special session at NCC
Morning Call: Gov. Corbett helps break ground for new public safety center
Morning Call: State senators give AG Kane warm welcome at budget hearing
Pennsylvania Ave.: Is Rep. Dent a centrist or conservative? Depends on who you ask
Reading Eagle: District plays waiting game for state reimbursement
WFMZ: Sen. Casey looking to battle bullying
WFMZ: Alfonso Todd pays fine to put parking tickets in rear view mirror

South Central
AP: Pa. Supreme Court justice convicted of corruption
AP: DEP chief says impact fee will help cover services
AP: Oil prices fall sharply for a second day, with hopes will come at the gas pump
Carlisle Sentinel: Councilwoman Cecconello seeks re-election
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Tom Corbett says he’s comfortable and hitting his stride as governor
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Harrisburg school officials detailing plan to address $11.7M deficit
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Advocates argue Medicaid expansion will be huge job creator in Pennsylvania
Lancaster Intelligencer: State’s top court scrambles district judge map
York Daily Record: Michael Flannelly seeks to retain York County judicial seat
York Dispatch: Stewartstown mayor to run for county controller

North by Northwest
AP: Top regulator: Pa. casinos in good financial shape
AP: PA Supreme Court justice convicted of corruption
AP: Kane gets reaction from both sides of gun control
AP: DEP chief says impact fee will help cover services
AP: How states fared on unemployment benefit claims
AP: Pa. gaming board OKs table games at Nemacolin
AP: DOD cuts would reduce Pa. civilian payroll
GoErie Campaign ‘13: How to fill out your nomination petitions

Opinions
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Op-ed: Social Security is not an entitlement
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Editorial: Harrisburg’s children bear the cost of Linda Thompson’s actions
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Thursday Morning Coffee: PA Congressman says White House’s $50b infrastructure plan falls short
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: Consolidate region’s transit systems
York Dispatch: OP-ED: Expanding Medicaid would help Pa. women
Express Times: EDITORIAL: Pa. voters get another reprieve from flawed photo ID law
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Corbett’s block grant program deserves a full examination

Blogs
Keystone Politics: Kenyatta Johnson’s #AVI Bill >>> Homestead Exemption
Keystone Politics: Larry Sabato: #PAGov a Toss-Up
Keystone Politics: Why Didn’t AG Tom Corbett Catch the Ories?
Keystone Politics: Homeowners are Wealthier than Renters
Keystone Politics: Why Didn’t Controller Michael Lamb Catch the Pittsburg Police Department’s Accounting Gaps?
Keystone STate Education Coalition: PA. Took $8.7 Million from Philadelphia School District, Gave it to Charters
Penn Patriot Blog: State Supreme court Justice Joan Orie Melvin Found Guilty

Email:
  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

    Loading ... Loading ...
Continue to Browser

PoliticsPA

To install tap and choose
Add to Home Screen