Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for tomorrow’s special election in Reading as campaign finance reports and word on the ground reflect a strong effort by Judy Schwank.

Analysts and politicos continue to digest Corbett’s budget proposal, and the battle lines are being drawn over cuts in higher education funding. Colleges are telling parents that tuitions will go up. Corbett is telling colleges they should simply cut costs instead. Good luck with that, Governor.

And Joe Sestak’s “re-elected” ad against Arlen Specter won this year’s Pollie award for best negative ad.

PoliticsPA Reports

Schwank Nets $75K From O’Pake Committee
Judy Schwank’s supporters tell everyone it’s a no-brainer, Mike O’Pake would back Schwank for his now-vacant seat in the PA Senate. The most recent campaign finance reports would seem to validate that claim. O’Pake’s committee contributed the bulk of its cash on hand, $75,000, to Schwank on February 3rd.

Poll Reveals Slight Drop in Philadelphians’ Opinions of Nutter, City Council
A public opinion poll released Monday shows that Philadelphia residents are only mildly less impressed with the performance of their city government.

Republican Legislators Voice Support fot Corbett Budget
Governor Tom Corbett’s budget plan for the 2011-2012 year is creating a stir. The $27.3 billion plan certainly stays in line with GOP-encouraged fiscal policy such as avoiding tax increases and instead cutting spending, and PA Republicans have been vocal in their support.

AP: Corbett OKs Grants He Pledged to End
Governor Corbett is approving more than $48 million in grant money that was requested by state legislators before he took office according to Marc Levy of the AP.

Headlines
Post-Gazette: Corbett speeds up permit process, some say to circumvent regulation
Roll Call: Sestak’s “Re-elected” ad wins Pollie award for best statewide negative ad of 2010
Reading Eagle: Schwank Rips Corbett, Medaglia Over Budget Cuts
Post-Gazette: Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission: Out of balance?
Post-Gazette: Bromide: A concern in drilling wastewater
Post-Gazette: Battle of the bulbs: more life for incandescents
Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s budget battle may just be beginning
Inquirer: Street faces probe in PHA case
AP: Judge lets Orie brother off with contempt warning
Politico: Pennsylvania GOP dreaming – redistricting scenarios
Patriot-News: Corbett’s proposed higher education cuts have college students, parents bracing for the worst
Daily News: Rally targets Corbett’s education cuts
Delco Times: Delco Dems endorse candidates for county offices
Tribune-Review: Lawmakers say personal wealth unlikely to influence judgment
Patriot News: Father of Gov. Tom Corbett’s political adviser expected to be tapped as next Turnpike CEO
Patriot News: Sen. Bob Casey: Westboro Baptist Church’s planned protest of fire victims’ funeral ‘disgusting’
Times-Tribune: Casey calls for ban on ‘bath salts’
Morning Call: Pennsylvanians still pessimistic about the economy
Morning Call: Faith leaders unite to decry Muslim hearings
Tribune Review: WQED calls on listeners to protest proposed funding cuts
Tribune Review: Corbett urges Penn State to trim costs, not raise tuition
AP: Corbett’s deep higher-ed cuts draw protests while he refuses to tax drillers
AP: Statoil says it could drill 17K Marcellus wells
WFMZ: Understanding the Governor’s school voucher program
NBC Philadelphia: Philly grows to 1.5 million residents in new Census data
NBC Philadelphia: Eagles owner seeks to provide sense of stability after lockout
WPXI: Pittsburgh owner pleads for patience from fans
KPKA: Local social activist talks about the impacts from Corbett’s budget

Opinions
Karen Heller, Inquirer: Corbett’s budget cuts almost everything but prisons
Inquirer Editorial: Head Strong: Obama had no other option on Guantanamo
Huffington Post: Rick Santorum Described As A ‘Force,’ Because It’s March Of 2011 And So Why Not?
Eric Heyl, Tribune-Review: They’re bad, they’re bad, we know it
Patriot News Editorial: Spoon debate in US Capitol cafeteria – seriously?
Paul Carpenter, Morning Call: Anti-Muslim bigots need a lesson in Patriotism
Tribune Review Editorial: Wisconsin anti-union bill is a victory for taxpayers
Tribune Review Editorial: Obama’s Gitmo flip shows the realities of leadership sinking in
Times Leader Editorial: We fail students with budget cuts
Times-Tribune Editorial: Take new look at AdultBasic