3/22 Morning Buzz

champagne toast
“To Sheetz, where we purchased this champagne!”

Republicans toasted success last night as Democrats drowned their sorrows: the PA House passed liquor privatization. Now, it’s on to the Senate. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Cook Report Moves 2014 Gov Race From Lean R to Toss Up: The Cook Political Report, which analyzes and handicaps elections nationwide, today moved its rating of the 2014 Pennsylvania Governor’s race from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up.”

Peduto Asks Judge to Block Opponents’ Campaign Funds: In a legal action that will test Pittsburgh’s City campaign finance rules and could dramatically affect the landscape of the Democratic race for Mayor, Bill Peduto asked a judge to block opponents Michael Lamb and Jack Wagner from using cash they collected while running for other offices.

PA Reps Vote Party Line on Ryan Budget: All 13 of Pennsylvania’s congressional Republicans voted in favor of Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan Thursday morning and all 5 Democrats voted against it.

Kelly-Chaired NRCC Event Nets Record Haul: Long gone from Democratic lists of potentially vulnerable incumbents, Rep. Mike Kelly turned his attention to the national congressional picture. The sophomore Congressman helped the NRCC score a record fundraising haul Wednesday night.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: House’s liquor plan due for lukewarm reception in Senate
State House Sound Bites: Liquor privatization passes state House
PA Independent: Beer sellers fear competition in PA’s newly liberated market
PA Independent: Pre-privatization, beer lobby chips in to top PA lawmakers
StateImpactPA: Drilling companies agree to settle fracking contamination case for $750,000
StateImpactPA: Unsealed records in contamination case claim lax oversight by DEP
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: Corbett’s “close your eyes” defense is right, misses point
Capitolwire: House readies for liquor privatization vote
Capitolwire: POINT OF ORDER: Significant federal dollars could still come into PA without Medicaid expansion
Capitolwire: POINT OF ORDER: What Medicaid expansion concessions might PA seek from the feds?
Capitolwire: Fiscal hawks warn House lawmakers on impending liquor amendment votes

Philadelphia
AP: Pa. cities take fight to tax-exempt institutions
Daily News: Nutter’s a real task-force master
Daily News: A coffee can and bingo balls determine ballot positions in Philly elections
Philadelphia Inquirer: Property owned by Philly councilwoman’s husband is more than $4,200 behind in taxes
Philadelphia Inquirer: Marcus Hook mayor arraigned on corruption, booze, gun charges
Philadelphia Inquirer: Lobbying frenzied as Pa. House vote nears on privatizing alcohol sales
CapitolInq: Local Rs OK Paul Ryan’s budget
Commonwealth Confidential: An historic vote – then an historic letdown?
PhillyClout: Chamber of Commerce endorses mayor’s request for Philly mag probe
PhillyClout: Thursday’s DN: Nutter’s a real task-force master
KYW1060: Philadelphia Lawmakers Authorize Mayor to Ban Guns in City Parks, Rec Centers
KYW1060: Mayor of Marcus Hook, Pa. Says He’ll Stay on Despite Criminal Charges
WHYY Newsworks: For some Philly homeowners, the reassessment waiting game continues
WHYY Newsworks: School safety in Philly takes center stage at City Council hearing
WHYY Newsworks: Philly councilman wants details on fire department promotions
WHYY Newsworks: Pennsylvania closer to toasting liquor sales overhaul

SEPA
AP: House debates revamping Pa. liquor sales
Delco Daily Times: Delco comes in No. 41 in state health ranking
Delco Daily Times: Computer deal OK’d by county council
Montgomery Life: Montgomery county to save on fees by changing pension fund money managers
Daily Local News: Chester County tops state healthiest list

Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Pennsylvania House approves liquor privatization bill
Tribune-Review: Allegheny County jail assault case settled
Tribune-Review: Corbett reaches deal to pay to maintain Amtrak route to Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh’s growing popularity reflected in migration numbers
Tribune-Review: Pitt to pay new top attorney $350,000
Tribune-Review: Board changes course on electronic sign
Early Returns: Peduto takes Lamb, Wagner to court
Post-Gazette: Peduto files for injunction claiming Wagner, Lamb violating Pittsburgh campaign finance law
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh schools end 2012 with surplus, but tough times lie ahead
Post-Gazette: Development in high gear at Pittsburgh International Airport site

Southwest
Beaver Co. Times: Some Ambridge residents unhappy with superintendent hire
Beaver Co. Times: Ex-treasurer headed to court in charity theft
Observer-Reporter: Changes in property reassessment system on way to governor
Observer-Reporter: Still no bus contract for Trinity
Observer-Reporter: Feds OK coal waste dam expansion
Observer-Reporter: Phase-out of Pa. state liquor stores passes House
Observer-Reporter: N. Strabane supervisor eyeing new township building
Observer-Reporter: New center establishes certification process for shale gas producers
Tribune-Democrat: Closing time: Oakhurst lounge locked, hearing next week
Tribune-Democrat: State troopers reap overtime bonanza

NEPA
AP: Phase-out of Pa. state liquor stores under debate
Times-Tribune: Despite drop in ridership, senior citizens are still concerned about county’s transportation services
Times-Tribune: Officials award contracts for $26 million wastewater treatment plant project
Citizens Voice: Gaming money funds 37 projects
Citizens Voice: School safety bill moves forward in state Senate
News Item: Court: Jury commissioner cannot be cut
News Item: Gas prices drop again in Susquehanna Valley
Standard Speaker: Hazleton councilman’s proposal on tax bills spurs heated exchange

Lehigh Valley
AP: Clown convention moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Ave: Toomey, Casey prep amendments for budget vote-a-rama
Express Times: Northampton County’s primary ballot challenges resolved
Express Times: Phillipsburg’s proposed budget comes with 1 percent tax increase
Express Times: Pa. Senate ready to vote on liquor privatization – PM news links
Express Times: Pennsylvania officials warn against dishonest electricity solicitors
Morning Call: Allentown council candidate: I was ‘intimidated’ into withdrawing from race
Morning Call: Senate could dismantle House liquor privatization bill
Reading Eagle: City Council president hopeful wants change
Reading Eagle: Reading’s economic development, taxes priorities for candidate
WFMZ: Area schools vary on statewide report card

South Central
Lebanon Daily News: House passes phase-out of state liquor stores
Lebanon Daily News: Congressmen Charlie Dent and Jim Gerlach vote for Paul Ryan budget
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon County’s bond rating downgraded
Lebanon Daily News: Insight: Bipartisan Senate group on path to immigration bill
Lebanon Daily News: Congress votes to force Postal Service to keep Saturday delivery
Lebanon Daily News: Gun offenses land Reading man in state prison
Lebanon Daily News: Drivers endure high gas prices despite US oil boom
Lebanon Daily News: Phase-out of Pa. state liquor stores passes House
York Daily Record: York workshop teaches students to barter and budget
York Daily Record: Mayor: Wrightsville Police Chief has looked to improve policies in his six months on the job
York Daily Record: York County Economic Alliance releases results of immigration issues survey
York Daily Record: House passes GOP budget plan promising deep cuts
York Daily Record: Phase-out of Pa. state liquor stores passes House
York Daily Record: BAE Systems in York County receives contract modifation for Bradleys
York Daily Record: York County potato growers work for better crop
York Daily Record: Spring Grove’s preliminary school budget looks at 2.96 percent tax increase
Harrisburg Patriot News: Steelton-Highspire to cut pre-K, reduce kindergarten to half day
Harrisburg Patriot News: Liquor privatization bill passes in the House of Representatives
Harrisburg Patriot News: With Obama abroad, a Pennsylvanian visits Israel: As I See It
Harrisburg Patriot News: Geisinger breaks ground for $52 million laboratory medicine building
Harrisburg Patriot News: Lower Dauphin School Board renews superintendent’s contract
Harrisburg Patriot News: Liquor privatization debate in House enters its fifth hour
Harrisburg Patriot News: Army General outlines effects of possible furlough at Carlisle Barracks
Harrisburg Patriot News: Shipley Energy out to spark up Central PA electricity sales
Harrisburg Patriot News: Region’s lowest gas price down to $3.43 a gallon, average price is $3.60
Harrisburg Patriot News: Senate ready and willing to take up liquor privatization
Harrisburg Patriot News: Two Harrisburg candidates scrap election plans: Update
Carlisle Sentinel: Consultant: Tax-free home improvement possible in Newville
Carlisle Sentinel: Chambersburg school board to revisit GSA club stance
Carlisle Sentinel: Gas drillers paid $750K settlement to Pa. family
Carlisle Sentinel: Chambersburg teacher arrested on sexual exploitation of minors charge
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Area School Board approves salary increase
Carlisle Sentinel: Amtrak to maintain western passenger trains
York Dispatch: Lockup at Valencia raises $84,000 for MDA
York Dispatch: Survey: Many local business leaders support path to legality for undocumented
York Dispatch: State House passes liquor privitazation bill, 105-90
York Dispatch: DA Kearney: No referral to Springetts police department in alleged brutality suits
York Dispatch: 2 new Chick-fil-A’s coming to York
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Train travelers will still be able to get to Pittsburgh from here under agreement announced by governor
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: County prison warden ill; will take leave
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Plan for vacant city site
Roxbury News: Pa House Appropriations Committee: Liquor Privatization HB 790
Roxbury News: Dauphin County Judge race: Ballot position
Roxbury News: Pa House vote on HB 790: Photo slideshow.
Roxbury News: Governor Corbett comments on the passage of HB 790: Privatization of the State liquor system.
Today’s the Day Harrisburg:Headlines

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Many drillers bless new environmental policing
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Lawmaker pushes back on DC gun control ideas
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Bids for work on elementary school OK’d
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Office of Open Records lawyer: Requests on rise
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Graduate school in city proposed by mayor
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Senate OKs charity tax law amendment
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Erie County Dems announce Loomis fundraiser
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Key township races on Erie County ballot
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Judge candidate Walsh to open Erie office
Erie Times-News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Erie controller Kwitowski running for City Council to “help the city”
Centre Daily Times: Land banks could address local housing, other needs

Opinions
Daily News: DN Editorial: Bloom-in’ shame: If ever there was reason to pass SB334 – and fast – this is it
Bucks County Courier Times: We’ll drink to that
Delco Daily Times: EDITORIAL: Signs of progress emerge on liquor privatization
Daily Local News: Pennsylvania pension reform stalled by lack of voter concern
Reading Eagle: Ryan’s budget returns chill to what looked like a thaw
Times Leader: Longevity pay merits short life
Times Tribune: House panel panders away PLCB reforms
Times Tribune: Toomey’s sweet amendment
Wayne Independent: Board needs to tread easy on tax issues
Standard Speaker: Will ghosts of Iraq teach us?
Tribune-Review: City of Pittsburgh v. UPMC: Necessary lawsuits
Observer-Reporter: Communities can’t warn of every hazard
Altoona Mirror: Tyrone risking decay

Blogs
Keystone State Education Coalition: PA 1 of only 2 states in booze biz; 1 of only 3 states without an education funding formula
Keystone Politics: 3 Senate Democrats Vote for “Leave UPMC Alooone!” Constitutional Amendment
Keystone Politics: Jack Wagner Waffling on UPMC Tax Challenge
Keystone Politics: 10 House Republicans Voted Against the Ryan Budget
Keystone Politics: Why Won’t the Ryan Budget Stick to SEPA House Republicans?
Keystone Politics: If Dem Want Less Protectionist Booze Bill, They Should Offer Some Votes
Keystone Politics: Peduto: Wagner and Lamb Violating Campaign Finance Law
Keystone Politics: Liquor Privatization Passes
Commonwealth Foundation: Historic Vote Huge Step to Liquor Liberty

Email:
  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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