Sen. Smith resigns, Davidson becomes HDCC Executive Director and Toomey leads Sestak in new poll. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

BREAKING: State Sen. Matt Smith Resigning: The Democratic State Senator is stepping down to become the President of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Nathan Davidson Named New HDCC Executive Director: The PA House Democratic Campaign Committee is bringing in some new leadership.

PA-Sen: PPP Poll: Toomey 42 Sestak 38: A new survey from Public Policy Polling shows Senator Toomey with a four-point lead over his 2010 opponent.

PA-Gov: PPP Poll: Wolf’s Approval Rating Stands at 40%: A new survey from Public Policy Polling shows Governor Wolf’s current standing among Pennsylvanians.

PA May Move Up The 2016 Presidential Primary: Some Republicans want to move their primary from April up to March.

BREAKING: Santorum to Run for President in 2016: Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is running for President again.

PA-Sen: PPP Poll: 43% Approve of Casey’s Job Performance: Sen. Bob Casey received the highest marks of any PA politician tested.

PA-Sen: Toomey Once More Defends Law Enforcement in Editorial: Sen. Toomey has been especially vocal in supporting officers during the recent controversy over police tactics and attitudes.

Chamber of Business and Industry Ad Attacks Energy Tax Proposal (VIDEO): The business groups is opposed to Gov. Wolf’s severance tax plan.

Statewide
Capitolwire: HB 911 falls short of PEMA’s ‘technology agnostic’ goal
PLSReporter: For the good of it: Rep. Readshaw and the Ride to Gettysburg
StateImpactPA: EPA issues new rule to protect small waterways
StateImpactPA: Industry launches new TV ad opposing shale tax
State House Sound Bites: Hearing slated for Wolf’s choice to lead Pa. State Police
State House Sound Bites: Transition to home-rule government in Carlisle will take time
State House Sound Bites: District attorneys, Gov. Wolf push for pre-k funding
State House Sound Bites: No contingency plan has been set in case state budget deadline is missed

Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Pa. Official Says Gov. Wolf is Sold on Value of Solar Energy Industry
KYW Newsradio: Kenney, Anticipating Likely November Victory, Begins Work on Hiring
Philadelphia Business Journal: The war for talent spurred this law firm to offer 22 weeks of paid parental leave – but will women take it?
Philadelphia Business Journal: City controller supports public subsidy for Gallery redevelopment
Philadelphia Business Journal: Distillers take a shot at lower liquor taxes
Inquirer: Phila. School District official faces charge of steering $900,000 contract to friends and family
Inquirer: Ex-legislator’s Delco job stirs questions
Inquirer: Phila. gets $150,000 grant to study ways to reduce prison population

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown Authority wrangles over meeting policies
Bucks County Courier Times: State Rep. Scott Petri considers run for Congress
Bucks Local News: State lawmakers honor retiring Council Rock superintendent and director of elementary education with House citations
Daily Local News: Carmen Green sworn in to 4th Ward seat of Coatesville City Council

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto returning from manufacturing trade mission to Cuba
Tribune Review: Santorum announces presidential run ‘where my American story began’
Post-Gazette: New Clean Water Rule announced by EPA to protect sources of drinking water
Post-Gazette: Officials draw up plan for a healthier Allegheny County
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Wolf launches statewide task force to study pipelines
WESA: Essential Pittsburgh: Senator Bob Casey Calls On Congress To Fund Positive Train Control

Southwest
Observer Reporter: Bill banning pure caffeine, powdered alcohol passes House
Altoona Mirror: Hearing slated for Wolf’s choice to lead Pa. State Police
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Duquesne University to raise employee minimum wage to $16

NEPA
Times Leader: Abundance of write-ins slow Luzerne County primary results
Citizens Voice: Sen. Casey makes a plea for bridge funding
Standard Speaker: Barletta seeks veterans’ cemetery exhumation
Standard Speaker: Anti-tethering bill approved by state Senate committee
Pocono Record: Gov. Tom Wolf at Pocono Mountain West Junior High School this afternoon

South Central
Patriot-News: How much is your school district paying in legal fees?
Patriot-News: Swatara Township’s Vacancy Board chooses Richard Murphy to fill John Weikle’s term
Patriot News: State senator proposes another makeover to Penn State Board of Trustees
Patriot-News: Pat Toomey posts low approval rate, but leads all Democrats in 2016 Senate race
Patriot-News: Middletown Borough Council write-in wins, unofficial results say
York Dispatch: Lancaster warden says he’s looking into inmate food complaints

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Contraband sweep at Northampton County Prison prompts internal investigation
Morning Call: Three South Whitehall police officers suspended, one demoted
Capitol Ideas: Senate confirmation hearing set for Wolf’s state police chief
Reading Eagle: Wyomissing teachers, school board agree on new contract
WFMZ: Ron Angle gets enough votes to run for county controller

North by Northwest
Centre Daily: NCAA asks for subpoenas in Paterno case
Centre Daily: Penn State suspends Kappa Delta Rho for three years
Centre Daily:State Sen. Yudichak introduces new governance bill for Penn State
Erie Times-News: Erie School Board to vote on deal with Saint Vincent

Opinion
Tribune Review: NSA snooping: Better intelligence needed
Post-Gazette: Congress’ struggles: Even when led by one party, resolution is elusive
Bucks County Courier Times: Time to fix the Highway Trust Fund
Times Leader: Bridge upkeep in NEPA too often falls through the cracks
Times-Tribune: Speed Senate disclosure
Citizens Voice: Senate should require electronic filing for campaign funding
News Item: $160,000 in gifts confirms need for ban
York Dispatch: Expanded Pre-K Makes Dollars, Sense
Inquirer: No secrets in rail safety

Blogs
Citified: Why Voter Turnout Sucked in Philly’s Mayoral Race
Citified: Would Jim Kenney and City Council Play Nice?
Citified: A Shakeup on Council’s Leadership Team?
Keystone Crossroads: What is a millage rate and how does it affect school funding?
Keystone Crossroads: See and search: six decades of Pennsylvania population shifts
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Planner, Developer Lash Out at Green Pond Marsh Advocate