The state prepares for Gov. Corbett’s budget address, and the first Dem jumps in for Lieutenant Governor. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Harrisburg Councilman Koplinski to Launch LG Bid: Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski will become the first Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor today. He’ll officially kick off his bid in the Capitol at noon.
2/1 Ups & Downs: A lot of polls spelled out a lot of trends last week, and made some Ups and Downs rather easy.
Pittsburgh Mayoral & Council Fundraising Numbers Are In: The campaign finance reports are in for Pittsburgh candidates, and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is sitting pretty. The incumbent has about $910K on hand.
Local Election Updates:
Pittsburgh Mayor: Mayor Ravenstahl and City Controller Michael Lamb will seek the Democratic committee endorsement, but Councilman Bill Peduto won’t. “Any serious candidate should be capable of and proud to compete for their party’s endorsement,” Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said in a press release issued 29 minutes after the Early Returns story about Peduto. “I’m confident, with our experienced staff and enthusiastic volunteers, we will win this critical first race within the race.”
PGH CIty Council 4: Incumbent Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak will face pro-Ravenstahl challenger John Lee, a local sports broadcaster. Meanwhile, the liberal group Progress Pittsburgh PAC endorsed Rudiak. “She took a leading role in passing the prevailing wage legislation and crafting one of the nation’s first comprehensive municipal domestic violence laws–all while fighting for and delivering needed investment into South Pittsburgh,” said P2PAC treasurer Lindsay Patross.
Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Unions promise legal war if legislators reform pensions
State House Sound Bites: Governor won’t cut funding for state higher ed.
State House Sound Bites: Lots of citizen gun debate in Harrisburg, not so much in the legislature
PA Independent: No more unemployment checks for inmates
StateImpactPA: You didn’t build that: US Department of Energy takes credit for shale boom
Philadelphia
AP: 8 issues to watch for in Corbett’s Pa. budget plan
AP: Education politics will be key in Corbett’s plans
AP: Hanger says he’s raised $200,000 for gov campaign
Daily News: Nutter will ask court to let him impose terms on DC 33
Daily News: A contentious day in court for Greene, Street
Philadelphia Inquirer: College contract deal expected
Philadelphia Inquirer: Nutter sues for right to impose contract terms on 6,800 city workers
Philadelphia Inquirer: How theft allegations unfolded against Corbett’s son-in-law
Philadelphia Inquirer: Corbett makes his case for privatizing the LCB
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau: Corbett taking open policy points to budget address
WHYY Newsworks: So far, task force is only Pa. legislative response to recent gun violence
WHYY Newsworks: Top 5 stories to watch in NW Philly
City Paper: State Sen. Kitchen outlines bill to block school closures
KYW Newsradio: Nutter Says Sticker Shock Property Values May Not Happen
KYW Newsradio: Former Philadelphia Public Schools Superintendent, Arlene Ackerman, Dies at 66
KYW Newsradio: Debate Over Fracking Continues in Pennsylvania
KYW Newsradio: Corbett Says Pa. State-Run Colleges Will Get Same Funding As Last Year
KYW Newsradio: Pa. Named One Of ‘Terrible Ten’ States in Tax Equity
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: NRC: Exelon’s nuke plant shut-down fund may be short by $1 billion
Pottstown Mercury: Scott Brown will not run for Kerry Senate seat
phillyburbs.com: Teen’s frantic call to her mother after Boston bus accident: “The roof is on top of us”
phillyburbs.com: NJWeedman jailed in Philadelphia after probation violation arrest
Delco Daily Times: County legislator aims to close budget shortfall for 911 center
Delco Daily Times: Parade marks history lesson fit for King in Chester
Delco Daily Times: Reports: Ex-SEAL ‘American Sniper’ author fatally shot on Texas gun range
Delco Daily Times: Fighting to save history at joe Fraizer’s North Philadelphia gym
Montgomery Media: Preliminary budget shows tax hike in Upper Moreland
Montgomery Media: North Penn board to vote on charter school proposals Feb. 12
Montgomery Media: Gary Puckett & Union Gap return to Sellersville
Bucks Local News: Parents, teachers union urge Pennsbury School Board not to close Village Park Elementary
Bucks Local News: Council Rock warns parents, students of dangers of ‘blackout game’ after several incidents at Richboro schools
Daily Local News: Chesco conservation easements to continue through 2013
Daily Local News: Chester County plans public health awareness drive
Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Retailers ready to serve Pa. market if liquor privatization becomes law
Tribune Review: Port Authority raises for nonunion workers rescinded
Tribune Review: Draft boards: Uncle Sam needs you in Western Pennsylvania
Tribune Review: PennDOT revises I-70 plan to please business owners
Tribune Review: State, private data say gas industry creates fraction of state’s air pollution
Post-Gazette: Will Gov. Tom Corbett call for Medicaid growth?
Post-Gazette: Former intern: Spent 25 percent of workday campaigning for Orie Melvin
Post-Gazette: Candidates for mayor, council seek Democratic endorsements
City Paper: It’s Back: State voter ID is alive and well for May primaries, at least for now
WTAE: Monroeville gun show attendance spikes
WTAE: Energy industry develops nontoxic fracking fluids
Southwest
AP: Corbett pledges level aid for Pa. universities
AP: Melvin’s former law clerk tells of political work
Beaver County Times: Fracking taps a mile-deep danger
Observer-Reporter: Union: ‘Framework’ reached with Pa. universities
Observer-Reporter: Solobay introduces bill to loosen regulations on small games
NEPA
The Times Leader: Property deal may have $500,000 catch
The Times Leader: IT’S HIS TURF
Times-Tribune: Scranton may try to pursue third-class status
Times-Tribune: Campaign school helps ‘demystify’ running for office
Times-Tribune: Barletta’s opposition to ‘path to citizenship’ might be what voters expect, expert says
Citizens Voice: Taking a hard stance
Citizens Voice: Population changed since immigration ordinance
Citizens Voice: Voting problems probed at Hazleton polls
Standard Speaker: Barletta not swayed on immigration stance
Standard Speaker: Tensions fading as law plods through courts
Standard Speaker: Polling problems plague city vote
Pocono Record: Special-interest groups mobilizing against Corbett liquor plan
Pocono Record: Lawsuits look out for blind at ATM machines
Pocono Record: Ordinance would allow sign sponsors for East Stroudsburg’s Levee Loop
South Central
The Sentinel: PA union leaders vow court fight if pensions cut
AP: Hanger says he’s raised $200,000 for gov. campaign
AP: Corbett, PA Universities to discuss state Aid
AP: Corbett ends 2012 with $3.5 million war chest
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski announces run for lieutenant governor
Harrisburg Patriot News: Attorney General Kathleen Kane nears launch of Sandusky probe
Harrisburg Patriot News: Gov. Tom Corbett stays mum on reports about son-in-law cop being under investigation
Harrisburg Patriot News: Gov. Tom Corbett’s funding for public universities promises to avoid a cut
Harrisburg Patriot News: Transportation funding expected to be big part of Gov. Corbett’s budget address
Lehigh Valley
AP: Pennsylvania state universities, faculty union making ‘very, very slow progress’
AP: Eight issues to watch for in Corbett’s Pennsylvania budget plan
AP: Pa. judge admits fixing her own parking tickets
The Morning Call: Gun flap cancels ‘Pennsylvania Crossfire’ taping
The Morning Call: Gov. Tom Corbett faces special prosecutor over his Jerry Sandusky response
The Morning Call: Donchez takes early fundraising lead in Bethlehem mayor’s race
The Morning Call: Bethlehem Council committee picks Oregon wind energy partner
The Morning Call: LANTA to study natural-gas buses
Reading Eagle: Tax collectors shocked at proposed 95% pay cut
Reading Eagle: State system, faculty near agreement
WFMZ: Pa. county may pull polls from school buildings
WFMZ: Corbett ‘concerned’ by reports about son-in-law allegations
WFMZ: State consolidation sparks complaints by caregivers
Express-Times: Pennsylvania liquor privatization could hurt local N.J. store owners
North by Northwest
AP: Gov. Corbett ends 2012 with $3.5 million war chest
AP: Pa. union leaders vow court fight if pensions cut
AP: Energy industry develops nontoxic fracking fluids
Centre Daily Times: Pa. reports air pollution from shale gas industry
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Crowd packs fire hall to vent about gas drilling effects
Opinions
Post-Gazette: Is fracking better?
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Memo to Hillary: Facts of embassy killings do matter
The Morning Call: Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board privatization – plague or progress?
Reading Eagle: Bill Uhrich: For Christians the answer to violence is not more guns
Reading Eagle: John D. Forester Jr.: Liquor plan is strange cocktail
Reading Eagle: Mary Young: No good reason to export lottery
Express-Times: President, Congress need to find ‘path’ to immigration reform
Express-Times: Boy Scouts should take the leap on allowing gays
Blogs
Keystone Conservative: Video: $88 million in taxpayer-funded sick-day payouts
Keystone Conservative: Toomey unveils anti-earmark bill
Keystone Conservative: Toomey proposes bill to amend Constitution to install term limits
Keystone Politics: Harrisburg councilman first Dem to announce bid for Lt. Governor