Happy Sequester Day! Today begin the automatic cuts that stem from the bipartisan ineffectuals in DC. In Pittsburgh, Mayor Ravenstahl still hasn’t addressed rumors that he won’t seek re-election. And the Pa. Progressive Summit starts today. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Don’t forget to check back later for the Ups & Downs.
The Latest: Insiders Say Ravenstahl Won’t Seek Re-Election: Rumors are swirling in the Steel City and over a dozen Democratic sources indicate to PoliticsPA that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will not seek re-election. Here’s the latest – and what it could mean for the mayoral race.
Preview: Pa. Progressive Summit: From the far left around Pa., progressives will gather in Harrisburg this weekend for their annual summit. It will be a key opportunity for prospective candidates to court the activist base of Democratic party. Here’s what to watch.
The Democrats “Nobody Problem”: “You don’t beat somebody with nobody.” In this column, Madonna and Young suggest the Democratic gubernatorial candidates could benefit from a primary.
PA Republicans Go 7-6 for VAWA Reauthorization: The US House passed Thursday a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. It enjoyed universal support from Democrats, but split the GOP caucus.
Wojcik Out, McVay in for Superior Court: One Pittsburgh Democrat is out and another is in for a Pa. Superior Court run. Attorney Michael Wojcik ended his bid Wednesday and Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jack McVay has thrown his hat in the ring.
Statewide
PA Independent: Partisanship edges out real Electoral College discussion
PA Independent: University officials: No need to know how we spend $500 million
PA Independent: Young, healthy people will pay more for health insurance
State House Sound Bites: For lawmakers, an interest in board reforms beyond Penn State
State House Sound Bites: Beer distributors putting up fight on liquor plan
Capitolwire: ‘Significant segments’ of state’s population are in for real shock due to Obamacare, say PA insurance officials
Capitolwire: Corman scolds PSU president for releasing Freeh Report without reviewing or defending it
Capitolwire: Democrats grill Commonwealth Secretary Aichele over lack of voter education money Capitolwire: Secretary Aichele says AG Kane should defend Voter ID law
Capitolwire: Lawmakers, Secretary Tomalis debate new education funding formula
Philadelphia
AP: Sentencing set for Pa. high court justice, sister
AP: Dems chide administration for lack of voter ID
AP: Pa. county: New gun laws won’t apply here
Inquirer: Corbett touts anti-rape funding
Inquirer: Pa. sending new debit cards for jobless benefits
Inquirer: Major interstate pipeline firm wants to expand its network in Phila. area
The Big Tent: GOP electoral plan would dilute minority power in Pa., Dems say
Heard in the Hall: Council full of AVI ideas
PhillyClout: Council seeks relief for small businesses under AVI, aid for seniors
CapitolInq: Toomey, Durbin clash as sequester nears
WHYY Newsworks: At lager heads: Pa. beer distributors stoutly oppose Corbett privatization plan
WHYY Newsworks: Corbett hasn’t closed the door completely on Medicaid expansion in Pa.
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. lawmakers weight changes for governing state-related universities
WHYY Newsworks: People who have lost their homes could be hard-hit by sequestration cuts
WHYY Newsworks: Philly councilman proposes four-year phase-in of AVI
WHYY Newsworks: Business tax break proposed to offset Philadelphia property tax hikes
WHYY Newsworks: State AG’s office seeks OARC lawsuit dismissal [updated]
KYW Newsradio: Gov. Corbett gets vote of confidence from local women’s antiviolence groups
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia’s living wage law tweaked to include airport workers
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania’s top cop and AG Kane disagree on Mexican cartels
KYW Newsradio: Councilman Mark Squilla proposes an AVI phase-in
SEPA
AP: Aichele chided on voter ID funding
AP: How automatic federal budget cuts would affect Pa.
AP: Dems want more money spent to clear up voter ID confusion in Pa.
AP: Pa. judge who cleared officer of assault is married to a cop
Pottstown Mercury: Former Montco prosecutor admitted to special probationary program after DUI-related incident
phillyburbs.com: Meehan wants FAA to consider former Willow Grove base
Daily Delco Times: Senators Toomey, Casey put forth different sequester stopping bills
Pittsburgh
AP: Susquehanna County: New gun laws won’t apply here
WPXI: Chair of Democratic Party says Ravenstahl will not seek re-election
WTAE: Ravenstahl dealing with ‘personal issues,’ friend says
Tribune Review: Burn: ‘Extremely likely’ Ravenstahl will drop re-election bid
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh housing authority hires interim leader for full-time job
Tribune Review: Allegheny County executive reveals ‘vision team’ recommendations
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh councilman releases police job records; groups seek input on new chief
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh summer learning program avoids cuts
Post-Gazette: Mayor Ravenstahl’s absences raise questions
Post-Gazette: Opponents scuttle business tax in Lawrenceville
Post-Gazette: 39 candidates will stand for three alumni seats on Penn State trustees board
Post-Gazette: ‘Personal issues’ keeping Ravenstahl away from recent public events
KDKA: Mayor Revenstahl to Make Major Announcement about Future
KDKA: Democratic Mayoral Primary to be Affected by Ravenstahl’s Decision
KDKA: Sources: Mayor’s Mother Facing ‘Serious Health Crisis’
KDKA: Wine, Beer Could Be Sold Many Venues if Pa. Privatizes States Stores
KDKA: New Pet Food Stamps Program Gaining Popularity
Early Returns: Waiting; aka the hardest part
Early Returns: Breakfast Sausage: 5 stories to read this morning
Southwest
AP: Pittsburgh mayor’s absences prompting questions
Beaver County Times: Things You Should Know – Thursday
Beaver County Times: Aliquippa mayors and residents say NO to seismic testing
Altoona Mirror: Lt. Governor talks beer, budget during local stop
Altoona Mirror: Toomey, Casey discuss coming sequester
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Critz lands corporate job weighs future campaign
NEPA
The Times Tribune: No gamble for lottery consultants
News Item: Sequestration: Barletta rails over release of immigrants
Wayne Independent: Major to offer legislative services
Standard Speaker: Change must be transparent
Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: New investment to bring tens of thousands to Allentown, Reading
Reading Eagle: Boone avoids cutting kindergarten, sports, above-index tax increase for now
Reading Eagle: PA pension executives met with lawmakers
Reading Eagle: Some parents want more guards in Wilson elementary, middle schools
Morning Call: Democrats reject Toomey sequester pla
Morning Call: Union: Allentown water, sewer lease will cause layoffs
Morning Call: Final Allentown water, sewer lease raises rate hikes, lowers fee
Morning Call: No decision on Lehigh County Authority extension
South Central
AP: Democrats chide Corbett aide for lack of voter ID info
Carlisle Sentinel: Authority approves pipe repair plan
Harrisburg Patriot News: Release of illegal immigrant detainees akin to communist Cuba move, says U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta
Harrisburg Patriot News: Corbett’s new prison reform: Tying contractors’ profits to public safety
Harrisburg Patriot News: More than 1K voters to cast ballots at new polling location in Silver Spring Township
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County to debate use of $350,000 in Marcellus money – Ben
Harrisburg Patriot News: County leaders concerned mandatory federal cuts will hit services and programs hard
York Daily Record: BAE Systems could lay off 4,000 under sequestration
Roxbury News: Senator Rob Teplitz: A letter to District Attorney Marsico.
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News Campaign ’13 Blog: The Pennsylvania Democrats’ ‘nobody’ problem for 2014
Erie Times-News Campaign ’13 Blog: Sinnott, Grossman applaud decisions in Erie tax cases
Centre Daily Times: Erickson peppered with Freeh report questions at Senate Appropriations hearing
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Former city police officer seeks sheriff post
Opinions
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: Make liquor sales customer-friendly
Opinion
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Corbett pension plan is the path back to fiscal stability
Tribune Review: More sequester lies: Teachers & illegals
Tribune Review: The Thursday wrap
Post-Gazette: Hopeful exchange: Talks on Iran’s nuclear program take a new tone
Post-Gazette: Sequester madness: Congressional folly puts America at risk
Observer-Reporter: Some better than none
Reading Eagle: Budget overlooks increasing need for higher education
Daily News: DN Editorial: Sequester talk is just Congress acting like children
Daily Local News: Better known as the “Right to Work for Less”
Delco Daily Times: Sequester: Political pot is coming to a boil
Blogs
Keystone Politics: The Corbett Medicaid Climb-down Begins
Keystone Politics: The Insanity of Blaming the City of Harrisburg For Its Fiscal Woes
Keystone Politics: Ravenstahl Thinking About Dropping Out of #PGHMayor Race?
Keystone Politics: The Ultimate #AVI Tax Relief Plan: 77% of Philly Residential Properties Would Save Under Land Value Tax
Keystone State Education Coalition: Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup For February 28, 2013
2 Responses
I do believe all the ideas you have introduced for your post. They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are very short for starters. May just you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
http://fpoll.com/blog/view/121465/workers-comp-attorney-clarified-below
Corbett giving $700,000 to PCAR, he might as well flush that down the toilet. That organization it in name only, they don’t actually help anyone. He should be investigating them not giving them money.