An update on the status of the budget, a battle is brewing in PA-8 and Santorum says the Founders might have been right to limit the right to vote. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.
Corbett Refuses to Sign Budget: The Republican budget plan passed by the State Senate and State House is currently sitting on the Governor’s desk.
Budget Update: GOP Plan Appears to Be on Track: The $29.1 billion budget proposal is set to be taken up by the State Senate and State House today.
PA-8: Strouse Slammed by NRCC; Calls Out Fitzpatrick on ENDA (VIDEO): Strouse is the target of a new robo call from the NRCC while he challenges Fitzpatrick to speak out on ENDA.
Santorum: Founders’ Were “Maybe” Right to Limit Voting: Rick Santorum considered during a TV interview today whether the Founding Fathers’ decision to prohibit specific people from voting had some merit.
Reader Poll: Do You Think Paterno Should Be Condemned for his Conduct Concerning the Sandusky Scandal?: We ask our readers about their opinions of how Joe Paterno handled the Sandusky scandal.
Reader Poll: Most Don’t Believe Budget Will Pass On-Time: Our readers are generally pessimistic that the state government will meet the fiscal deadline.
Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Pennsylvania police fail to fingerprint thousands of suspected criminals
AP: Highlights of Spending Plan
AP: Budget Debate Underway
PA Independent: As budget deadline nears, Corbett still waiting on pension reform
StateImpactPA: New York’s highest court allows towns to ban fracking
StateImpactPA: Legislators seeking an extra $20 million from forest leasing
The PLS Reporter: $29.1 billion budget set to become law, but governor is withholding signature
The PLS Reporter: Hope springs eternal with new pension reform amendment, but Republicans are still on their own
Capitolwire: New budget bill finds a way to make up for lack of liquor privatization revenue.
Capitolwire: Senate amends Philly cigarette tax into House bill; unclear if part of a larger deal. UPDATED w/ Corbett quote.
Philadelphia
AP: Lancaster company hails contraception decision
Commonwealth Confidential: Budget mischief?
WHYY Newsworks: U.S. Supreme Court favors Pa. company Hobby Lobby on contraceptives case
WHYY Newsworks: The no-new-taxes pledge nears its sell-by date
The Inquirer: As deadline looms, Pa. Senate takes up no-tax budget
The Inquirer: Lawyer says Sandusky hired him for new appeal in Penn State sex case
SEPA
Bucks Local News: Governor Tom Corbett joins educational leaders, students in Bucks County to advocate ‘Ready to Succeed’ scholarship program
Daily Local News: Coatesville school district freezes hiring and some salaries
Delco Daily Times: Pennsylvania police fail to fingerprint thousands of suspected criminals
Delco Daily Times: Supreme Court: Public union can’t make nonmembers pay fees
Pottstown Mercury: Pension bill for elected officials advances
Pottstown Mercury: GOP’s patchwork $29.1B budget speeds toward votes
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pete Wagner ousted as 19th Ward Democratic chair
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh wants to file on Ravenstahl computer under seal
Post-Gazette: Medicare targets Pittsburgh-area hospitals
Tribune-Review: Senate approves budget; no plan to offer gas extraction tax in package
KDKA: Details of UPMC, Highmark Split Made Public
KDKA: Obama Picks Ex-P&G Head to Lead Veterans Affairs
Southwest
Beaver County Times: Moon school board approves budget
Beaver County Times: State officials say assessment, tax claim probes are county issue
Beaver County Times: State scores poorly on AARP’s list for elderly, disabled care
Observer-Reporter: With no health registry, Pa. doesn’t know the impact of fracking on health
Observer-Reporter: State Senate passes death-benefit bill
NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County faces choices with Hazelton properties
Times-Tribune: District’s fighting a black eye for Scranton
Standard Speaker: Mayor seeking nonprofit payments in cash, not pierogies
AP: Pennsylvania enacts tougher hit-and-run law
South Central
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Conestoga Wood Specialties wins in Supreme Court religious freedom appeal
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: 5 things to know about the GOP budget proposal
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Women’s advocates say Conestoga Wood ruling gives bosses sway over women’s health care choices
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: K-12 spending to increase in state budget; state universities get flat funding
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Eastern Lancaster County businesses cheer Supreme Court ruling in Conestoga Wood case
Harrisburg Patriot News: How do we spend $29.1 billion, Pennsylvania? Here’s a look
Harrisburg Patriot News: No plans for opening a thrift shop in the Capitol basement, but GOP budget is balanced on some unusual revenue sources
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pa. Senate passes $29.1 billion general fund budget, sending it to the House for consideration
Carlisle Sentinel: Midstate officials, lawyers react to Supreme Court’s contraception ruling
AP: Highlights of Republicans’ 2014-15 Pa. budget plan
AP: Fracking study finds new gas wells leak more
Roxbury News: A Pennsylvania Budget.
Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Lower Nazareth Hobby Lobby shoppers weigh in on Supreme Court’s contraception ruling
Express Times: New child abuse laws threaten Northampton County’s finances
WFMZ: Congressman Dent holds community meeting
Morning Call: Failure to fingerprint suspects widespread in state
Pennsylvania Ave: PA lawmakers react to Hobby Lobby case
North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Legislative Tally
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Retiree believes chess can teach politeness to city’s youth
Centre Daily Times: Paterno lawsuit filing: parties agree to keep documents confidential
AP: Lawmakers clock in for late-hour budget scramble
Opinion
Reading Eagle: Ron Southwick: Corbett must close gaps in the budget and in the polls
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: A new religious right
Harrisburg Patriot News: Don’t forget everything Tom Corbett did right on the Sandusky case: Jennifer Storm
Harrisburg Patriot News: Court invents new religious rights for business in Hobby Lobby contraception case: Editorial
Harrisburg Patriot News: In the debate over Philly school funding, Gov. Corbett has to be the adult in the room: As I See It
Harrisburg Patriot News: Americans are polls apart, but here’s why the center can still hold: Michael Smerconish
Bucks County Courier Times: Improve the economy; unleash American enterprise
Pottstown Mercury: Marriage is what has brought us here today
Post-Gazette: The transition: UPMC and Highmark make promises for the future
Blogs
Citizens’ Call: Greenwood Ave. Bridge Opening Signals Optimism After Tough Times for Local Businesses
Keystone Politics: The Single Biggest Problem With the Harrisburg Draft Zoning Plan
Keystone Politics: Loosening Street Food Regulations Helps Poor People
PA Budget and Policy Center: Tell Your Senator: Pass a Real Budget, Not a “Time Bomb”!
One Response
Dear Rep. Jimmy Christiana: You should not have supported that rigged deal with UPMC-Highmark. You know this deal does not put patients first, it lays the groundwork for UPMC to have monopoly on Health Care in Western PA. Jimmy, how many times did Jeff Romoff have the Harrisburg crowd on his jet or on his yacht? Wouldn’t you like to know? How much did Acting Governor Brabender earn in consulting for either Highmark or UPMC on this matter? Lots? Jeff Romoff’s political hitmen are after you, Jimmy. Jeff Romoff wants you as the latrine cleaner for his yacht. : Beaver County lawmaker, Highmark defend golf outing in Fox Chapel | TribLIVE
http://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/6358326-74/highmark-christiana-golf#axzz361wRyHfG