Another Democrat enters the Gov 2014 conversation, and the state House makes a move on liquor. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Exclusive: McGinty to Launch Guv Exploratory Committee: The wide field of potential Democratic candidates for Governor just grew by one. Kathleen McGinty, the former Pa. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary and a Clinton administration alum will form an exploratory committee this week.
Hanger Welcomes Myers to Guv Race with Debate Challenge, Oppo Dump: Being a minister from Cumberland County doesn’t set up newly announced gubernatorial candidate Max Myers for too many institutional advantages in a Democratic primary. His opponent, John Hanger, was happy to point out why.
Statewide
The Onion: Punxsutawney Phil beheaded for inaccurate prediction on annual groundhog slaughtering day
PA Independent: They came for liquor and left with a proposal
PA Independent: Former PA governors say no to elections for appellate judges
StateImpactPA: Range resources fights township’s rejection of its drill permits in Washington County
StateImpactPA: Marcellus production tops Haynesville
Capitolwire: House liquor panel moves liquor reform plan to full House
Capitolwire: Thornburgh, Leader, Ridge, Rendell back judicial appointments
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: What can governor get on pension reform, liquor privatization?
Capitolwire: Corbett administration plans to revise lottery contract for another AG Kane review
State House Sound Bites: Former governors say judges should be appointed, not elected
State House Sound Bites: Liquor privatization plan clears committee
State House Sound Bites: Medicaid comments not meant as criticism, Smucker says
Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: Toomey, Meehan join vets in opposition to ranking new drone medal above combat medals
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. liquor plan amended to phase out state stores instead of shutdown
WHYY Newsworks: Marching to Love Park for immigration reform
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia City Council wants to help health food with tax breaks
WHYY Newsworks: Council hearing on Philly labor issues canceled because Nutter administration won’t attend
WHYY Newsworks: Another GOP lawmaker urges Corbett to expand Medicaid in Pa.
WHYY Newsworks: In Pa. hearing, charter schools contest potential change in funding levels
WHYY Newsworks: Philly councilwoman joins push for adding women to corporate top tier
KYW1060: Pa. Lawmakers Push State Store Privatization Toward Full House Vote
Daily News: Mayor Nutter’s race distraction is useless
Daily News: Corbett’s cuts SNAP program
Commonwealth Confidential: Liquor privatization advances in PA House
Heard in the Hall: A Philadelphia lawmaker bids to save Traffic Court
Montco Memo: Toomey supports Mission Kids getting grant
Philly Clout: Protesters call on Senate Republican Leader to vote against Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget
Philly Clout: Former DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty mulling run for governor
Philadelphia Inquirer: Pa. Turnpike Commission to investigate its own contracts
Philadelphia Inquirer: Casey asks Pa. GOP to rethink electoral-vote change
Philadelphia Inquirer: Corbett: Protesters’ shout-down of Nutter “disappointing”
Philadelphia Inquirer: Authorities: Mexican drug cartels are a Pennsylvania presence
Philadelphia Inquirer: Pennsylvania panel to discuss modified plan for State Store privatization
Philadelphia Inquirer: GreenSpace: Sandy Bauers: Pa. takes up fight over labeling genetically engineered foods
Philly.com: Pass reforms for charter schools
PhillyNow: Here’s What State Rep. Brian Sims Says About PA’s Path to Marriage Equality
SEPA
AP: House committee OKs overhaul of Corbett liquor bill
AP: Pa. Turnpike CEO orders review of contracts
AP: 3 ex-Pa. governors press for judicial appointments
AP: Pittsburgh mayor wants to fire officer in video
AP: Pa. table games revenue declines in February
Ambler Gazette: Upper Dublin Township website receives transparency award
Bucks Local News: U.S. Congressman Fitzpatrick honored with National Association of Manufacturers Award
Daily Local News: Political parties to choose jury commissioner candidates
Phillyburbs: GOP leaders honor Fawkes at funeral
Phillyburbs: Montco road, bridge, transit projects in jeopardy unless more state funding
Pittsburgh
KDKA: Mayor: detective should be fired over taser incident
KDKA: Officials working to make sure 911th Airlift Wing open beyond 2014
Early Returns: Ravenstahl calls for officer’s termination after taser incident
Early Returns: Harrisburg minister to run for governor
Early Returns: House committee reworks Corbett’s liquor plan, submits own
Tribune-Review: Leet Twp. to REDUCE property tax millage to 5.3
Tribune-Review: Westmoreland townships, boroughs to host contested races in May primary
Tribune-Review: Canine officers say Allegheny County hasn’t paid them overtime to care for dogs off duty
Post-Gazette: Ex-Pittsburgh police chief Harper testifies in federal trial focusing on discipline of officers
Southwest
Beaver Co. Times: Rochester council considers consolidating some services
Beaver Co. Times: Officials celebrate victory for 911th, plan to keep fighting for its future
Beaver Co. Times: Penn State trustees disagree on board changes
Beaver Co. Times: Defense: Philly abortion doc’s case ‘a lynching’
Observer-Reporter: The future of airport looks bright
Observer-Reporter: Crowd rallies for ‘open carry’
Altoona Mirror: Crime still pays a pension
Tribune-Democrat: 16 apply for police positions in South Fork Borough
NEPA
AP: Celeb fracking group not registered
AP: Committee OKs overhaul of Corbett liquor bill
AP: 3 ex-Pa. governors press for judicial appointments
Times-Tribune: Turnpike CEO orders review of contracts
Citizens Voice: Liquor privatization faces key vote
Citizens Voice: Social Security income less than average
Standard Speaker: Kane hopes PTC case deters future corruption
Pocono Record: Monroe County sheriff explains complicated Pennsylvania firearm laws
The Times Leader: From tainted water to drilling tool
The Times Leader: Meuser touts governor’s priorities
Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Pa. pushes drillers to frack with coal mine water
Morning Call: Pennsylvania moves closer to private liquor sales
Morning Call: Bill would create prescription database for doctors
Morning Call: Salisbury School District looking to close $800,000 deficit
Express Times: May primary race brings incumbents, challengers in Nazareth
Express Times: Ed Rendell to stump for John Callahan’s Northampton County executive bid
Express Times: District judge candidate Tim Prendergast appeals driver’s license suspension
South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Poll: Should Pa. legalize same-sex marriage?
Harrisburg Patriot News: Senate panel focuses on reforms to Penn State governance
Harrisburg Patriot News: Mechanicsburg pastor Max Myers officially enters 2014 governor’s race
Harrisburg Patriot News: Former Harrisburg receiver calls for swap ban, more state oversight, at national municipal finance summit
Harrisburg Patriot News: Supreme Court soon to get Bailey recommendation
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pennsylvania liquor privatization bill en route to House for a vote
Harrisburg Patriot News: Whistleblowers vindicated, strengthened by PA Turnpike pay to play indictments, lawyer says
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pennsylvania Senate introduces 16-bill proposal to reform child protection laws
Carlisle Sentinel: 3 ex-Pa. governors press for judicial appointments
Carlisle Sentinel: Committee OKs overhaul of Corbett liquor bill
Carlisle Sentinel: No ruling after brief hearing in Penn State suit
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. Turnpike CEO orders review of contracts
Carlisle Sentinel: Diocese to clean up leaked oil at Pa. convent building
York Daily Record: Bills would address child sex abuse cases, statute of limitations
York Daily Record: George Leader among ex-Pa. governors lining up to support picking judges by merit
York Daily Record: Sens. Teplitz, Cutler to announce Government Reform Caucus Monday
York Daily Record: Hanover, Adams County voters to see few contested races
York Daily Record: Gov. Tom Corbett marks first visit to Hanover
York Daily Record: York County commissioners approve contract for tax claims notices
York Daily Record: Ex-senate leader, 7 others charged in Turnpike probe
York Daily Record: York County officials adopt new religious activities policy at prison
York Daily Record: County residents react to FAA allowing small knives on planes
York Dispatch: Committee OKs overhaul of Corbett liquor bill
York Dispatch: Caution: Zombies to overrun York College
York Dispatch: Rita’s giving away free Italian ice this week
York Dispatch: Hearing held in lawsuit against Penn State
York Dispatch: Pa. pastor gets life sentence for killing 2nd wife
York Dispatch: Budget ax hits 2,300 Head Start hopefuls in Pa.
York Dispatch: Former police officer runs for district judge
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Candidates across the county gearing up for municipal races
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: SDL board will decide whether existing charter school gets renewal
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Maytown Elementary School sells for $215,000 at auction
Lebanon Daily News: South Londonderry board approves insurance contract
Lebanon Daily News: Tom Davis to run for North Cornwall Township supervisor
Roxbury News: Sale of the State Liquor System: An explanation of HB 790.
Roxbury News: Democratic Minority Leader Dermody: “People want convenience. This legislation delivers chaos.”
Roxbury News: UFCW President Wendell Young Comments on the Liquor Control Committee’s vote: “Corbett style politics.”
Roxbury News: Election 2013: Max Myers for Governor. “I have a strategy for bringing transformation to Pennsylvania.”
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Control tower at Erie International Airport to survive federal budget cuts
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Republican Ned Smith seeks 2nd District seat on Erie County Council
Centre Daily Times: State College Borough Council, school board to take action on Memorial Field construction project
Centre Daily Times: Initial feelings mixed on best relationship between State College and regional code office
Williamsport Sun Gazette: LEGISLATIVE TALLY
Opinions
Reading Eagle: Promises inadequate; do reform properly the first time
Tribune-Review: American missile defense: Obama’s mistake
Post-Gazette: Onward and upward: The 911th Airlift Wing wins a reprieve from closure
Observer-Reporter: A heavy toll 10 years later
Blogs
Keystone Politics: Bram Reichbaum’s Notes from the #PGHMayor Debate
Keystone Politics: Alcohol Reform and Obstacles to Republicans Becoming the ‘Cool’ Party
Keystone Politics: You Can Pay for Alcohol Reform With Non-Alcohol Revenues
Keystone Politics: Bill Peduto’s Statement Opposing the ‘Leave UPMC Alooone!’ Constitutional Amendment