The two big stories of the week continue to ripple across the news today.

Politicos are hard at work breaking down the census numbers from PA to see what the impact will be. Make sure to check out this non-partisan analysis from GOP consultant Chris Nicholas, who takes a look at how the data will play out in congressional and state districts.

Corbett’s budget continues to draw fire from Democrats and interest groups. We talked to PA House Transportation Committee Chairman Rick Geist about his reaction to the budget vis-a-vis transportation issues. And for fun, PoliticsPA took a look at which state legislators attended PA state universities with funding on the chopping block.

Politicos from across Philly and southeast PA are heading to Finnigan’s Wake tonight to bump elbows with Senator Bob Casey. Keep your eyes open for Philly council candidates, rumor has it that this is the place to be tonight.

And State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi has an opponent, sort of, provided he and former State Rep. Tom Houghton still live in the same district (this Senate district had probably the most growth of any in PA since 2000).

PoliticsPA Reports

Breaking Down the PA Census Numbers
GOP Consultant Chris Nicholas breaks down the census numbers for state and congressional districts in this non-partisan analysis for PoliticsPA.

Philly, SEPA Pols Head to Bob Casey’s St. Patty’s Day Party
Politicos from across Philly and southeast PA are heading to Finnigan’s Wake tonight to bump elbows with Senator Bob Casey and bring in the week of St. Patrick’s Day. It comes as the Senator gears up for his 2012 re-election campaign, a huge factor in which will be Casey’s strength in Philadelphia and the suburbs.

Toomey Takes On Geithner Over Debt Limit
Pat Toomey has quickly established his voice in the Senate on matters of spending and the debt, to the chagrin of Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.

Houghton To Take On Pileggi
Former State Rep. Tom Houghton has announced that he will challenge PA Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi in 2012. Houghton, who won the 13th district seat in Chester County during the wave election of 2008, but lost it during the wave election of 2010, sent a message to friends and supporters that he will challenge Pileggi next fall.

Which State Legislators Went to Pa. Public Universities?
More than anything, Governor Corbett’s budget is a major hit on PA’s 14 public universities (PASSHE) and four state-affiliated schools. That got PoliticsPA wondering. Every college graduate knows what it’s like to get a phone call from his or her school’s alumni relations asking for donations, but how easily could that translate into lobbying?

Meehan on Ice: Congressman Pat Meehan Played in Yesterday’s Congressional Ice Hockey Challenge
Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-7), a former professional hockey referee, traded politicking for power plays and participated in the third annual Congressional Hockey Challenge last night at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

Headlines
Politico: Rick Santorum could be unlikely Iowa force
Pennsylvania Ave: Sen. Toomey Will Block Any Legislation Unrelated to Spending Cuts/Reducing Debt
Early Returns via Cook Political Report: What Would Pa. Look Like Without the 12th Congressional District?
Capitol Ideas: Megan’s Law Fixes, Death Penalty Tops DAs Wish List
Early Returns: “Unprecedented” power for DCED?
Patriot-News: Pa. to Receive Part of $68.5 Million Settlement in Drug Marketing Case
Times-Tribune: Legislative Budget Barely Trimmed
Capitol Ideas: How Much Will Your School District Receive if Corbett’s Budget Were Passed?
Patriot-News: Lancaster Authority Offers $45 Million for Harrisburg Incinerator
Inquirer: Lawyer, retired judge likely nominees to Philadelphia Ethics Board
York Daily News: State Budget ‘Devastating’ for York City Schools
State House Sound Bites: OAG Arrests Four Luzerne County Prison Officials
Inquirer: Grand jury to probe 2010 GOP committeemen race
Inquirer: U.S. auditor blasts PHA, Street for hiring son’s firm
Inquirer: Voters can approve city jobs commission
PhillyNow: Nutter doesn’t impress LGBT Groups on Scout Dance
CNNPolitics: Santorum makes more moves in New Hampshire
Post-Gazette:  State cuts could force closures of some Penn. State campuses
AP: Federal report blasts Philly housing authority

Opinions
Times-Tribune: No shortage of health care for legislature
Baer Growls: Pennsylvania Proud!
Inquirer Editorial: Gambling on every corner
Inquirer, Ben Waxman: Three lies in the budget
Post-Gazette: Governor’s hits on education spoil his effort
Tribune-Review: Corbett’s budget: A beginning
Pocono Record, Froma Harrop: Spending’s no better the second time around