Governor Corbett unveils an ambitious budget, we count down the 2012 congressional fundraising winners and losers, and here’s the most up-to-date look at the Superior Court race. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
A Tale of Two Budgets: Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his proposed budget for the coming year today in Harrisburg. It’s filled with goodies for both parties, but most of them are contingent on difficult plans to reform state pensions and sell the state’s liquor stores.
2012 Congressional Fundraising: Winner and Losers: The year end fundraising numbers are in. Here’s who finished the year strong, who needs to pick up their game, and who wishes they could get a refund on 2012.
Allegheny Dem to Seek Superior Court Nod: Another Democrat has surfaced in the low-key race for Pa. Superior Court. Michael Wojcik, an attorney who worked in the administrations of Allegheny County Executives Dan Onorato and Rich Fitzgerald, will run for the seat.
Followup: Very Few Received Voter ID Mailer: It turns out very few people received a mailer inaccurately telling them they’d need to show photo ID to vote.
Statewide
FULL TEXT: Governor’s 2013-2014 proposed budget
FULL TEXT: Governor’s 2013 Budget Address to the General Assembly
Capitolwire: Corbett quietly proposes broad business tax changes
Capitolwire: Corbett proposes spending $1.8 billion over five years to fund transportation plan
Capitolwire: Governor’s budget adds $40 million for Corrections, $20 million for State Police
Capitolwire: In a change, Corbett proposes increase in overall welfare spending
Capitolwire: Corbett says without ‘flexibility,’ PA won’t expand Medicaid.
Capitolwire: Corbett unveils “big change” proposals: tax cuts, transportation funding, and general fund increase
PA Independent: Corbett’s third budget will increase taxes for gas, lower payments for pensions, cut business taxes
PA Independent: Inside the components of Corbett’s third budget address
PA Independent: Controversial gas tax shift could rebuild Pennsylvania roads
PA Independent: Word clouds illustrate Corbett’s budget proposal
State House Sound Bites: Corbett’s budget, at a glance
State House Sound Bites: The other marquee items in Corbett’s budget
StateImpactPA: Rendell intervened on behalf of gas driller in spat with EPA
Philadelphia
CapitolInq: Meehan introduces bill to fight gun trafficking
Commonwealth Confidential: Pensions, roads, booze likely to highlight Corbett budget address
Philly Clout: Nutter asks Supremes to take up DC 33 case
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau: Corbett: Overhaul pensions — or else
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau: Pennsylvania’s attorney general names an aide to review the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse case
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau: Gov. Corbett’s controversial public welfare secretary is leaving
Philadelphia Inquirer: Pa. gas taxes would rise 5 cents a year under Corbett budget
Philadelphia Inquirer: Corbett budget would boost education funding
Philadelphia Inquirer: Greene takes the stand in PHA trial
Philadelphia Inquirer: Jailed former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo is ordered to pay more restitution for his fraud
KYW Newsradio: Corbett Unveils His 2013-14 Budget Plan for Pennsylvania
WHYY Newsworks: Corbett calls for pension system changes, increase to education in $28.4 billion plan
WHYY Newsworks: Dems slam Medicaid decision; GOP cautions Corbett his proposals need bipartisan support
WHYY Newsworks: Corbett: ‘I cannot recommend a dramatic Medicaid expansion’
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: OJR school officials review $34M renovation project
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. Welfare chief who commutes from R.I. says he’s leaving job
Pottstown Mercury: Corbett lays out plan for billions for transport
phillyburbs.com: Corbett won’t pursue Medicaid expansion, for now
phillyburbs.com: Christie defends $100M Sandy cleanup contract
Delco Daily Times: Connecticut shooting changed Casey’s mind on guns (With Video)
Delco Daily Times: Corbett calls for Pa. pension overhaul
Montgomery Media: Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School in Upper Dublin busts a move for cancer research
Bucks Local News: Newtown planning commission recommends borough council approve final plans for liquor store, housing project
Daily Local News: W. Chester has concerns about charter school proposal
Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Corbett proposes more money for schools, changes to state employees’ pension benefits
Tribune Review: Gastgeb resigns from Allegheny County Council
Tribune Review: Former county solicitor Mike Wojcik running for Superior Court
Tribune Review: Gun safety seminar scheduled in Monroeville
Post-Gazette: Corbett unveils budget proposal
Post-Gazette: Governor takes a pass on expanding Medicaid
Post-Gazette: Reaction to Corbett’s budget proposals is mixed
Post Gazette: Transportation plan includes removing gasoline tax cap
Early Returns: Campaign finance history lesson
Early Returns: Peduto challenges Lamb report
Early Returns: Corbett education funding
WTAE: Gov. Tom Corbett lays out plan for billions for transportation
Southwest
AP: State Welfare chief Alexander says he’s leaving job
AP: Corbett lays out plan for billions for transport
Beaver County Times: Fracking, old wells have local farmer worried
Beaver County Times: Corbett’s transportation plan not drawing raves
Beaver County Times: Corbett unveils budget; calls for pension overhaul
Beaver County Times: Nobody trumpeting Corbett’s budget
NEPA
The Times Leader: Updates on Gov. Corbett’s 2013-14 budget proposal
The Times Leader: Kingston welcomes new police officer
The Times Leader: Shared services, hub hospitals touted as Commonwealth successes
The Times Leader: Politicos push Pa. for new FAA site
Times-Tribune: Corbett proposes more education funding; promises pension fix
Citizens Voice: Tax collection divides county council
Citizens Voice: W-B chief dismisses some LAG complaints
News Item: Conference set in Reinhart race suit
Wayne Independent: Toomey asks for location of ship
Standard Speaker: Governor budget unveiling turns into multi-day political event
Pocono Record: Court: Former Pa. Sen. should pay more restitution
Lehigh Valley
AP: Schools, road, taxes in Corbett’s budget plan
AP: Ex-prosecutor tapped for probe of Corbett
Express-Times: Bethlehem committee recommends freezing mayor, council salaries
Express-Times: Bethlehem Councilwoman Jean Belinski won’t run for re-election
Express-Times: John Callahan formally announcing bid for Northampton County executive
Express-Times: Lafayette College to host former President Jimmy Carter
Express-Times: Pennsylvania Superior Court will hold session later this month an Northampton Community College
Express-Times: Gov. Tom Corbett offers pension system changes, transportation funding plan in Pennsylvania budget address
WFMZ: Lawmakers split on Governor’s proposed budget
WFMZ: Corbett introduces ambitious budget with controversial measures
WFMZ: Pa. AG Kathleen Kane picks ex-prosecutor to lead Sandusky investigation
WFMZ: Faculty, state universities reach tentative contract agreement
Reading Eagle: City amnesty nets $351,000 in fees and fines so far
The Morning Call: Corbett’s pension reform plans could opposition [sic]
The Morning Call: State attorney general names special prosecutor to review Tom Corbett’s handling of Jerry Sandusky case
The Morning Call: Gov. Tom Corbett ties spending to action
The Morning Call: Corbett’s budget might boost school funding
The Morning Call: Council panel back salary freeze
The Morning Call: Lehigh DA takes Macungie mayor case to Supreme Court
The Morning Call: Corbett rejects Medicaid expansion
The Morning Call: Gov. Tom Corbett lays out budget proposal
South Central
AP: Corbett doesn’t ‘recommend’ Medicaid expansion
Harrisburg Patriot News: Tom Corbett’s pension plan: Cut benefits for current employees and collar state payments
Harrisburg Patriot News: Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget: by the numbers
Harrisburg Patriot News: Lawmakers give muted response to Corbett budget
Harrisburg Patriot News: Gov. Tom Corbett proposes static funding for the House and the Senate
York Daily Record: York City Council votes to raise fee for those looking to change property zoning
Roxbury News: PA budget process 2013-2014
North by Northwest
AP: Governor Corbett lays out plan for billions for transport
AP: Highlights of Gov. Corbett’s 2013-14 budget plan
Erie Times-News: Corbett budget draws criticism from local lawmakers
Centre Daily Times: State Senate, House hearings up next for Penn State president in budget process
Opinions
John Micek, Harrisburg Patriot-News: PA budget analysis: Tom Corbett’s gamble
Tribune Review: Can GOP’s local success translate to the federal level?
Daily News: Makes Us Sick
Erie Times-News: Our View: Pa.’s senators champion bipartisanship
Post-Gazette: Transit expert: Port Authority needs a professional, not a politician
Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: Corbett’s budget proposal stands with taxpayers
Pennsylvania Progressive: “Gov Gasbag” proposes “gutting” pensions
Keystone Conservative: MontCo commissioner—and potential Corbett Republican challenger—Bruce Castor details budget priorities to make Pennsylvania prosperous
LuLac Political Letter: Corbett’s budget