The shoe finally drops on the PA Turnpike Commission, plus we have more PA poll numbers. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
PPP Poll: In PA, Clinton Ahead for 2016: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would be a strong favorite to win Pennsylvania if the election were held today, a poll from Public Policy Polling found.
Pawlowski Focused on Allentown, Not Governor, Says Pawlowski in Unsolicited Campaign Press Release About Governor’s Race: His campaign highlighted poll results showing him as a strong contender against Gov. Tom Corbett.
Quinnipiac Poll: Most Oppose Corbett Re-Election; Sestak Strongest Dem: Quinnipiac finds that most Pa. registered voters oppose a second term for him. Former Congressman Joe Sestak is the strongest Democratic candidate, though several run ahead of the Governor.
Statewide
AP: AG files criminal charges in turnpike “pay to play” case
AP: 8 candidates vie for Pittsburgh mayor
AP: Pittsburgh air base will remain open
AP: Convicted PA Supreme Court Justice likely to lose state pension
AP: Harrisburg Mayor Thompson faces primary challengers
AP: More funding could expand popular majors at state schools
StateImpactPA: Carnegie Mellon University Lobbying for Creation of Shale Gas Research Initiative
StateImpactPA: Corbett and His Wife Took Over $15,000 in Gifts from Law Firm Representing Oil and Gas Industry
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: Turnpike probe results in alleged ‘Immaculate Corruption’
Capitolwire: Charges announced against Mellow, ex-Turnpike CEO Brimmeier in bid-rigging scheme
Capitolwire: Sesatk leads Dem field against sliding Gov. Corbett, Quinnipiac poll shows
Capitolwire: Zogby says major pension reforms needed, but 401-k can go alone
Capitolwire: Pair of unemployment compensation reform bills reported to the full House
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: The mysterious Senator No. 6
PA Independent: AG: PA Turnpike officials, state senator conspired to misuse and steal millions of public dollars
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: Small biz inheritance tax exemptions sees Senate support
PA Independent: Former traffic court judge pleads guilty to ticket-fixing
Philadelphia
PhillyDeals: Grand jury: Corrupt senator helped PNC win Turnpike deals
List of those charged in Turnpike scheme
AP: ACLU to PA school: Allow Gay-Straight Alliance
Inquirer: Kane: Turnpike whistle-blowers were threatened, fired
Inquirer: Nutter to propose property-tax relief in budget
Inquirer: Gosnell jury alternates picked; trial to start Monday
Inquirer: Harry Fawkes, longtime Bucks GOP leader, dies at 83
Inquirer: Nutter unlikely to seek a cash increase for schools
Inquirer: Brady among congressmen looking to reverse TSA knife rules
Inquirer: Corbett considers revising lottery contract with Camelot
Daily News: More Perks for PA Pols (including selected highlights)
Daily News: Public pay: The fun’s inside
Heard in the Hall: Philly wins $1 million for social entrepreneurship idea
Heard in the Hall: City union leaders denounce Nutter
Philly Clout: Labor leaders blast Nutter ahead of budget address
Philly Clout: A day before Council is set to vote, protesters push for paid sick leave
Philly Clout: Traffic Court Judge faces up to 6 months in prison
WHYY Newsworks: Sources: Nutter will propose 1.3 percent property tax rate for Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: With petitions signed by 60,000, activists push Philly City Council to OK paid sick time
WHYY Newsworks: Public forum sheds light on requests for government open records
SEPA
AP: Ex-president judge of Philly traffic court admits ticket fixing
Daily Times: Montco D.A. fights defense move to get at $1M estate in murder case
Perkasie News Herald: Sellersville Borough Council instructs North Penn Water Authority to stop installing water meters
Ambler Gazette: Demotions top list of options to close Upper Dublin School District budget gap
Bristol Pilot: Political season heats up in Bristol, council meeting hijacked by candidates and would-be candidates
The Advance: Council Rock School Board appears no closer to decision on health care consortium
Daily Local News: W. Chester eyes expanding permit parking program
Pittsburgh
City Paper: Question of Style: District 6 council race becoming as much about how, and not what, things are done
WPXi: AG files criminal charges in Pa. Turnpike probe
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh solicitor a surprise candidate for judge
Tribune Review: Grand jury recommends charges against 8 with ties to Pa. Turnpike Commission
Tribune Review: Port Authority, the senator & the county executive
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Attorney General announces criminal charges in Turnpike ‘pay-to-play’ scheme
Post-Gazette: Council advances bills aimed at rules on handling cash payment
Post-Gazette: Orie Melvin judge wants removal from Pennsylvania Supreme Court addressed
Post-Gazette: Typical Pennsylvania wage is too little to pay the average rent
Post-Gazette: Pa. said to be revising, resubmitting lottery contract
Early Returns: Control-F (your name here)
Early Returns: Fitz pick for PAT charged with corruption
Early Returns: Q poll: Corbett “going nowhere”
Southwest
AP: Ex. Sen. leader, 7 others charged in Turnpike probe
AP: Environmental groups target W. Pa. coal ash dump
AP: Judge spurns award of court costs for Libertarians
AP: Congress members say 911th Airlift Wing won’t be cut
AP: Harrisburg mayor heads into May primary challenge
AP: Outgoing Pittsburgh mayor won’t choose new chief
NEPA
News Item: Candidate filings
News Item: Candidate deadline
News Item: Reading Anthracite rep confirms interest in partnering with AOAA
News Item: Coal Hill may be off-limits
News Item: ‘Raise the Region’ met with generosity
News Item: Kulpmont council approves preliminary operating budget
News Item: LM holds off on insurance policy decision
The Times Leader: Corbett expected to resubmit Pa. lottery deal
The Times Leader: County Council to develop work force standards
The Times Leader: Irish brown bread with a twist
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Area seeks budget input from public
The Times Leader: Plymouth council president steps down
The Times Leader: Ashley buys new dump truck
The Times Leader: Dupont audit reveals starting deficit
The Times Leader: Injured vet 1 of 2 W-B parade marshals
The Times Leader: 9 enter race for magisterial post
The Times Leader: WBA sees most competitive school board race
The Times Leader: Few enter county races
The Times Leader: UGI ends appeal to delight of some
The Times Leader: City’s need for smartphones questioned
The Times Leader: Hughestown accepts solicitor’s resignation
The Times Leader: Call for probe heard in Hazle Twp.
Pocono Record: Newspaper: Pa. lawmakers received $117K in gifts
Pocono Record: Pocono Wednesday: smoke watch, court news, water pipe break and federal funding
Pocono Record: In limbo: Attempt to revoke pensions of convicted Pa. employees
Pocono Record: Election note: Christine Griffin not on ballot for Smithfield supervisor
Pocono Record: Pocono Public Salaries Database
Pocono Record: Sequester cuts will hit neediest Pocono students the hardest
Times-Tribune: Pope hails from Argentina
Times-Tribune: Corrections officers, union official call for more staffing at federal prisons
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council President Janet Evans decides against four more years
Times-Tribune: Scranton councilman may lose home in sheriff’s sale
Times-Tribune: Confusion over who owns property occupied by roadside memorial
Times-Tribune: Flu activity drops in NEPA, state
Times-Tribune: CHS forms alliance with Cleveland Clinic
Times-Tribune: Bob Mellow, seven others charged in turnpike ‘pay-to-play’ scheme
Citizens Voice: Mellow, 7 others charged in turnpike ‘pay-to-play’ scheme
Citizens Voice: Police: W-B suspect stabbed man in face, ran from cops
Citizens Voice: W-B parade grand marshals are no quitters
Citizens Voice: Judge: Panel will decide if Musto can appeal
Citizens Voice: Brominski: Nepotism in election hirings
Citizens Voice: Councilwoman: Too many W-B employees have cellphones
Citizens Voice: Primary victories certain for Democratic council candidates
Citizens Voice: Flu activity drops in NEPA, state
Citizens Voice: Sponsors revise school tax replacement bill
Wayne Independent: Work fading at Tobyhanna
Wayne Independent: Regional leadership day set
Wayne Independent: Peifer to speak at area meeting
Standard Speaker: Mayor’s money ‘transfer’ will allow Hazleton to hire two new cops
Standard Speaker: Mellow, 7 others charged in alleged Turnpike scheme
Standard Speaker: Contractor to oversee magnet school construction at no extra cost
Standard Speaker: Officials knew of shortfall in 2011
Standard Speaker: Arrest warrant issued for LCCF work-release escapee
Standard Speaker: Sponsors revise school tax replacement bill
Lehigh Valley
AP: Ex-Pennsylvania Senate leader charged in turnpike pay-to-play scheme
AP: Corbett expected to resubmit lottery deal
Reading Eagle: Effect of sequester called minimal at Berks County Area Agency on Aging event
Reading Eagle: Agreement will provide substantial revenue
Pennsylvania Ave: Qpoll: Pawlowski, Sestak top potential Dem challengers against Corbett
Morning Call: AG Kane: Former Sen. Mellow, turnpike officials charged in pay-to-play scheme
Morning Call: Pa. lawmakers rack up $117K in freebies
Morning Call: Lehigh County commissioners race draws 14 candidates
Morning Call: Attorney General Kane, press secretary part ways
Express-Times: East Penn School Board race draws 8 candidates; school director enters Emmaus mayoral race
Express Times: Details of the Pennsylvania Turnpike pay-to-play scandal – PM news links
Express Times: Cory Booker up in poll, Tom Corbett trails Dems in another poll – A.M. news links
South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Former Turnpike officials released on $100,000 bail in corruption case
Harrisburg Patriot News: Senator Jake Corman trying to join fight against NCAA suit
Harrisburg Patriot News: Many Pennsylvania politicians touched by tainted Turnpike money, but just one charged
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg makes $800K dent in unpaid insurance bills
Harrisburg Patriot News: Hear the Dauphin County Commissioners approve debt refinancing
Harrisburg Patriot News: Lebanon County primary election races include district attorney, sheriff
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County commissioners save more than $1.7 million through bond refinancing
Harrisburg Patriot News: Firms describe campaign contributions as “cost of doing business” at Pennsylvania Turnpike
Harrisburg Patriot News: Corbett asking U.S. judge to dismiss lawsuits challenging PA judge retirement law
Harrisburg Patriot News: Former Turnpike officials released on $100,000 bail in corruption case
Harrisburg Patriot News: Disability rights group sues over ‘cruel and unusual’ treatment of mentally ill state prison inmates
Harrisburg Patriot News: Does state government’s $100,000 Club make you gasp or yawn?: your comments
Harrisburg Patriot News: Business and retail leaders back liquor privatization in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County has primary election district judge, row office races to watch
North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Ex-Sen. leader, 7 others charged in Turnpike probe
Campaign ’13: Horton officially announces County Council bid
Campaign ’13: Field set for Erie County primary
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Plant buffer zone agreement signed by Montgomery council
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Today’s candidates
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Commissioners to ‘look into’ Senate bill at request of resident
Opinions
Tribune Review: More charges in the Commonwealth of Corruption
Reading Eagle: Convicted Supreme Court justice should step down
Altoona Mirror: Tyrone squabble must end
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Reps. Frank Burns, Gary Haluska and Paul Costa | Modernization favored over privatization
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Don’t put road crews in danger
Daily Local News: Lessons learned and a positive end to post-prom debate
Blogs
Keystone Liberty: Senate Dem: “Corbett to put booze on every block”
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: How far can a DA go?
Keystone Politics: Jannie Blackwell’s stupid zoning reforms could be expensive for Philly neighbors
Keystone Politics: Fold the turnpike into PennDOT
Keystone Politics: Jim Ferlo needs to stay in Harrisburg
Keystone Politics: Tax huge sodas, don’t ban them
Keystone Politics: Collect the property taxes
Keystone Politics: Fund public transit with land taxes, not fares
Keystone Politics: Wayne Fontana supporting Bill Peduto for #PGHMayor
Keystone Politics: How vulnerable is Tom Corbett?
Keystone Politics: Replay: Jim Ferlo’s bad arguments for anti-competitive bar and restaurant regulations
Keystone Politics: Paul Ryan’s dark future