A potential candidate emerges in the SD-37 special election, Petri jumps into the PA-8 race and the President’s approval rating hits a new low. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!
SD-37: Republicans Circling Potential Special Election Nominee: Navy veteran Natalie Mihalek is the favorite to become the GOP candidate.
PA-8: Petri Forming Exploratory Committee: State Rep. Scott Petri is testing out a run for the open congressional seat.
PPP Poll: Pres. Obama’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low: Just 38% of Pennsylvanians give President Obama a positive job performance review.
Politically Uncorrected: Santorum’s Stealth Candidacy: If he can’t win in 2016, why he is running again? What does Santorum want?
PPP Poll: Walker, Clinton Are Current 2016 Frontrunners: Rick Santorum fails to hold any home state advantage.
Santorum Distances Himself from Duggar Family (VIDEO): The presidential candidate said he was “sickened” by revelations that Josh Duggar molested five underage girls.
PA-7: Rep. Meehan Attacked for Short-Term Transportation Vote: Congressman Ryan Costello was also a target of the DCCC’s ads.
Statewide
StateImpactPA: In a power shift, natural gas closes in on ‘king coal’
Capitolwire: Pre-K benefits inconclusive, expert says
Capitolwire: Senate GOP wants in on lawsuit against Wolf
State House Sound Bites: Funding change for Lancaster non-profits upsets some
State House Sound Bites: Midstate paper sorry for letter suggesting Obama should be executed
State House Sound Bites: York County judge set to return to bench after military service
Philadelphia
Heard in the Hall: STB attorney ordered to talk about 22nd and Market collapse
Inquirer: Of mice and Marx: Write-in voters think outside the ballot box
Inquirer: Kenney forgives Williams’ absence at Democratic ‘unity’ breakfast
Philly420: Taking marijuana to Congress
KYW Newsradio: American Freedom Defense Initiative Pres. on Muhammad Cartoons: If We Surrender Now, Freedom of Speech is a Relic
KYW Newsradio: Education Advocate Marciene Mattleman Honored for Decades of Service in Philadelphia
SEPA
Montgomery Media: Ambler Borough Council requests grant extension for former Ambler Asbestos Superfund site
Delco Daily Times: Government audit finds improper behavior at Philadelphia VA
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County DA ‘looking into’ treasurer’s office complaint
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: More than 90 percent of Pa. schools districts submit plans for increased funds
Pittsburgh Business Times: Smith to leave Senate, lead Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
WESA: Senate Bill Calls For New Penn State Board
WESA: The Future President Will Need To Wrestle With Debt From The Past
KDKA: Mayor’s Trip To Cuba Sets Groundwork For Future Business Relationship
Southwest
Beaver County Times: Would-be Monaca councilman has criminal past
Beaver County Times: Smith leaving state Senate to lead Greater Pittsburgh chamber
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmakers ask government to reconsider removing attack helicopters from Johnstown
NEPA
Times Leader: State Senator John Yudichak introduces Penn State board of trustees reform proposal
Times-Tribune: NEPA projects get slots funding
Citizens Voice: Schnee, Kelleher win write-in nominations for county council
South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Sen. Bob Casey calls for increased funding for local bridges
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland COunty looks to increase revenue and decrease costs in 2016
Patriot-News: Which Dauphin County write-ins made it on the ballot?
Patriot-News: AG’s Office turns down Sandusky sexual abuse complaint due to statute of limitations
Patriot-News: What is home rule and what does it mean for Carlisle?
York Dispatch: York city council moves forward on plans to hold city-FOP informational hearing
Lancaster Intelligencer: Gov. Wolf forming new pipeline-routing task force, says up to 30,000 miles of pipelines needed in next decade
Lancaster Intelligencer: Lancaster Renters not alone in struggle to find alternative, affordable housing
Lebanon Daily News: PA counties, including Lebanon, compete for addiction-treatment grants
Roxbury News: PA House Majority leader Dave Reed – Capitol City Newsroom
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Easton resolution opposes PennEast pipeline
Morning Call: Gov’t audit finds improper behavior at Philadelphia Veteran’s Affairs facility
Morning Call: Massive coal breaker, Pennsylvania’s last, is coming down
WFMZ: Stroudsburg leaders look to regulate panhandling
Express Times:No drugs, criminal contraband found in prison search, district attorney says
Express Times: Bethlehem NAACP hosts public discussion
North by Northwest
Campaign Erie ’15: Santorum on move to Iowa, S.C.
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Public session planned against child abuse law
Erie Times-News: Kujawa, Morgan offers contrasts for Millcreek voters
Centre-Times Daily: Ex-House speaker accused of lying to FBI about apparent hush money
Opinion
Tribune Review: No basis to claims
Philly.com: Let Congress fix its mistakes first
Philly.com: Should Amtrak be privatized?
Daily News: Wearing the union label
Delco Daily Times: Ideological bias isn’t found on the bench
Times Leader: Provide your input about Pennsylvania’s next 12 years of transportation projects
Times Tribune: No bridges ‘off-system’
Erie Times News: PA must change funding for public schools
Morning Call: Here’s why PA medical marijuana bill looks dead
Lancaster Intelligencer: Santorum for vice president? That just might be his goal.
Patriot-News: Unlikely allies in the class war? Bernie Sanders and Rick Santorum might be fighting the same fight.
Blogs
Citified: Progressives are “Out of Touch” with the Fact that Jobs are a Social Justice Issue
Citified: Can Philly Reduce its Prison Population?
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: A Ron Angle Controller Race would Help Elect Sam Murray