6/6 Morning Buzz

PA state flagWe have the first U.S. Senate poll of 2016, plus the state Senate fought a battle over abortion that could play in 2014. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Quinnipiac Poll: Toomey 42, Sestak 37: A 2016 rematch would favor the incumbent Republican Senator, the first poll of the race finds.

Senate Abortion Vote Shows 2014 Battle Lines: Democrats pounced on a bill that would block abortion coverage by health plans in the Obamacare health insurance exchange, but this ain’t an ultrasound mandate.

Senators Push to Eliminate Municipal Swaps: In a bipartisan move three senators are teaming up to get the ball rolling on swap elimination and rewrite the rules of municipal borrowing – the type that embroiled the city of Harrisburg in a fiscal mess.

Conservative PAC Backs Shuster Challenger: DC-based Madison Project PAC announced this week that it is throwing its support behind Art Halvorson, a businessman who announced a primary to Rep. Bill Shuster.

Legislative Election Update

As a reminder, this is our series where we list noteworthy news from state House and Senate races.

SD-50: Michael Muha has formed an exploratory committee for this district, the newly drawn version of which includes all of Crawford and Mercer counties and parts of Erie and Warren. Its party registration is 45% to 44% GOP to Dem, but much more GOP-performing in practice. “Instead of fixing the true problems leading to our recession, Pennsylvania Republicans have taken up the causes pushed by the Koch Brothers and the rightwing think tank American Legislative Exchange Council,” said Muha, an attorney. Incumbent Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer) has held the seat since 1990.

Statewide
AP: Pa. legislator urged to resign after online rants
AP: House OKs bill to dismantle Philly traffic court
AP: Judge rules in favor of Pa. girl who needs lung
WITF: Two out of five ain’t bad: notes from a Democratic gubernatorial debate
WITF: On child abuse, lawmakers say they first must define the problem
WITF: Senate passes transportation bill
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: Treasurer McCord denies administration’s request for website contract payments
PA Independent: Corbett will sign bill banning abortion coverage in Obamacare exchanges
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: Senate passes $2.5B transportation funding package
PA Independent: Senator: Simplify PA liquor sales by dumping House plan
State Impact: Touring Wall Street Mogul’s Company, Corbett Denies Politics Influences His Visits

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Pa. Senate passes $2.5 billion transportation bill
Inquirer: Judge rules temporarily for Pa. girl who needs lung
Inquirer: Phila. Traffic Court closer to oblivion
Commonwealth Confidential: Lawmakers wants to ban all indoor smoking in PA
Commonwealth Confidential: Senate clears bill banning abortion coverage under exchange
Commonwealth Confidential: More money for roads, bridges and mass transit?
Heard in the Hall: Property Tax Rate, Homestead Bill Moved
PhillyClout: City Council Committee OKs $30k homestead, 1.34 property tax rate
PhillyClout: Demolition permits for collapsed building issued in Feb.
PhillyClout: Behind airport lease agreement was fight for living wages
Big Tent: Boot camp for women pols in Phila. Thursday
PhillyNow: Abortion insurance ban passes PA senate
PhillyNow: ACLU marijuana report offers new insight into growing problem that has an obvious solution
City Paper: State house approves measure to dissolve traffic court
NewsWorks: Philly City Council committee backs $30,000 homestead rebate, 1.34% tax rate
NewsWorks: Pa. Senate OKs raising driver’s fees to fund transportation projects

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Limerick Lava Road bike path protested at meeting
Montgomery Media: Hilltown updates zoning rules to include prisons, but say none planned
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County DA presents law enforcement, civilian commendations
Daily News: Anti-fracking group visits West Chester

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Schools not obligated legally to protect students from each other, appeals court rules
Tribune Review: Senate approves transportation bill that would hike gasoline prices and fees in Pa.
Tribune Review: Report clears Butler commissioner Eckstein of sexual discrimination
Post-Gazette: Pa. senator to submit a different plan on privatizing liquor stores
Post-Gazette: Report shows sharp cuts in Pennsylvania school programs due to funding shortfalls
Post-Gazette: Group sues State System of Higher Education claiming sex discrimination in health policies
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania can continue to restrict poll access
City Paper: John Hanger wants to be the progressives’ choice for governor; unfortunately for him, he’s not alone
KDKA: Westmoreland Co. Officials Rethink Designer Sunglasses Purchase For Sheriff’s Deputies
WTAE: Pittsburgh may be the next Silicon Valley

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Hopewell Area budget proposes tax increase, new curriculum
Beaver County Times: Moon Area school board expected to appoint acting superintendent
Observer-Reporter: EPA to investigate efforts to reduce methane leaks
Observer-Reporter: District attorneys looking into White’s anonymous online comments
Observer-Reporter: Washington County officials talk reassessment with DCED
Tribune-Democrat: Richland, Adams divided over line
Tribune-Democrat: House tries to help seniors keep benefits

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. lawmaker calls for stricter smoking ban
Harrisburg Patriot News: Corbett could hold up budget to get his agenda through
Harrisburg Patriot News: Financial woes continue to take toll on Pennsylvania school districts
Harrisburg Patriot News: Transportation fund: Time is not on our side, says House Transportation Committee chairman
Harrisburg Patriot News: Gun regulation advocates gather in Capitol as two new gun bills are introduced this week
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County commissioners look to mission review to help keep spending in check
York Daily Record: York County commissioners extend program to help low-income families
York Dispatch: Replacements expected soon for York City schools
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Lancaster County settles lawsuit filed by fired human resources director
Roxbury News: House and Senate Committee Agenda for Wednesday, June 5, 2013

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Ex-Scranton school director agrees to plead guilty to online enticement of minors
Times-Tribune: House panel tackles tax exempt debate
Times-Tribune: Noonan: State police ready for expanded liquor enforcement
Times-Tribune: Former Middle Smithfield Twp. supervisor sentenced in medical insurance case
Citizens Voice: Election board leader’s ‘slur’ draws criticism

Lehigh Valley
Express-Times: Bethlehem being considered for inland rail port, officials say
Express-Times: Planned I-78 interchange project subject of Hunterdon County meeting
Express-Times: Developer Abraham Atiyeh’s Bethlehem hospital plans still up in the air
WFMZ: Judge rules in favor of Sarah Murnaghan, Pa. girl who needs lung
WFMZ:$2.5B transportation bill passes Pennsylvania Senate
WFMZ: Yourway Transport to expand, add 258 jobs

North by Northwest
Centre Daily: Write-ins carry Union Township resident to victory in primary election
AP: PENN STATE TRUSTEES HOPE SANCTIONS RECONSIDERED
Sun Gazette: Medicaid focus of City Hall event today
Sun Gazette: Public asks board to keep workers
Sun Gazette: County seeking $1.3 million PHARE grant
Sun Gazette: Streetscape project gets federal grant
Sun Gazette: Police chief announces retirement

Opinions
Express-Times: LETTER: What’s the matter with PennDOT?
Post-Gazette: Keep payday loans out of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg Patriot News: Midtown gubernatorial debate lacked big name candidates, but offered earnest aspirants: column
Harrisburg Patriot News: Five takeaways about Pennsylvania’s public pension woes
Wayne Independent: Tough decisions must be made by state lawmakers

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: Government Wholesale Monopoly Bad for Pennsylvania
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: A Lighthouse For Bethlehem Township
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Facebook Played Role in Schlener’s Termination
Above Average Jane: Payday Loans May Return to PA
Keystone Politics: ITE’s Flawed Traffic Generation Models Stymie Mixed-Use Development

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

    Loading ... Loading ...
Continue to Browser

PoliticsPA

To install tap and choose
Add to Home Screen