PA pols do their best stand-up acts, the monthly unemployment report is in and we do our weekly round-up of gubernatorial news. Plus, last week’s Ups & Downs. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!
8/15 Ups & Downs: Wolf gets an unexpected endorsement, Corbett’s education adviser steps down and Philly attempts to win the 2016 Democratic National Convention. See who made this week’s list.
Politicians Try Humor at Philly Charity Fundraiser: The elected officials and candidates performed standup at the 24th annual Stu Bykofsky Candidates Comedy Night.
July Jobs Report: Minor Increase in PA Unemployment Rate: PA’s unemployment rate increased in July for the first time in over two years, though the state’s unemployment rate remains nearly two percent lower than it was in July 2013.
PA-Gov Round-Up: Will the Real Taxman Please Stand Up?: We take a look at the events of the last week in the state’s gubernatorial race.
Statewide
Capitolwire: Philly schools will open on time, but more cuts announced
PA Independent: As companies flee U.S. taxes, RATE Coalition pushes reform
PA Independent: House arrest for Philly cop who dangled man from 18th story balcony
PA Independent: Week in Review: Corbett aide resigns, property tax relief eyed
StateImpact PA: Public Utility Commission appeals Commonwealth Court decision on Act 13
State House Sound Bites: E-mails a blind spot in PA transparency laws
Philadelphia
PhillyClout: Sworn in at City Council and looking to the future … of another elected office?
PhillyClout: Fattah Jr. pleads not guilty to 23 counts
PhillyClout: Ethics Commission clears former Mayor John Street, does not “condone” his conduct
The Inquirer: Councilman backs relief for homeowners facing big tax jump
The Inquirer: For Phila. business, more realistic convention expectations
Daily News: We feel pretty, oh so pretty … but are we wealthy as well?
WHYY NewsWorks: Under new Pa. trafficking law, no oversight of seized assets
WHYY NewsWorks: On-time Philly school opening is relief, but parents still frustrated over uncertainty
PhillyNow.com: Philly demonstration is peaceful as nation anxiously looks to Missouri
KYW Newsradio: Nutter Happy To See Schools Opening But Presses Pa. Legislature For Action
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Corbett paddles into Pottstown
Pottstown Mercury: Trial for former GOP chairman Kerns scheduled for November
Pottstown Mercury: Montco projects $1.5M deficit by 2015
Bucks County Courier Times: Public schools adapting to new state reporting system
The Intelligencer: Montco eyes reorganization of human services
Delco Daily Times: Swarthmore council considering ordinance for regulating bamboo
Montgomery Media: Springfield Township Board of Commissioners approve trash bid notice
Bucks Local News: Two charged in ongoing corruption and fraud investigation at PennDOT District 6
Bucks Local News: Pennsylvania Attorney General warns consumers of recent phone scams
Daily Local News: Local woman helps pass anti-ivory legislation
Daily Local News: Rep. Lawrence wants to extend cigarette tax beyond Philly
Pittsburgh
KDKA: Pittsburgh Remembers Sophie Masloff
Post Gazette: Colorful former Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff died this morning
Post-Gazette: Battle looming for county controller position next year
Post-Gazette: Outdated marriage license forms leave same-sex couples confused
Post-Gazette: Corbett defends education adviser who resigned amid questions about duties
Post-Gazette: Taxpayer-funded mailers from your Pennsylvania legislator: trash or treasure?
Pittsburgh Business Times: Poll: Pa. voters favor expanded oil, gas production
Pittsburgh Business Times: Corbett administration announces funding for rail projects
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania sees first increase in unemployment since June 2012
Tribune-Review: Former Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff dies
Tribune-Review: Patients’ angst spurs Oregon doctor to enter crucial Senate race for GOP
Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh region’s immigration differs from rest of nation
WTAE: Officials remember Sophie Masloff
Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Council rethinks land banking
Altoona Mirror: GOP members discuss unity, election at party gathering
Altoona Mirror: Legislation allows Act 47 cities to triple service tax
AP: Premier FBI cybersquad in Pittsburgh to add agents
Beaver County Times: Cracker plant emissions a ‘trade-off’ from Horsehead’s
Beaver County Times: Older adults face transportation challenges in Beaver County and beyond
PublicSource: Report alleges Marcellus drillers lacked permits for fracking with diesel
Observer-Reporter: Several districts still in contract negotiations as new school year approaches
Observer-Reporter: Area school budgets cushioned by gas money
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: AG’s Baker probe ‘extremely confidential’
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Auditor general says municipal finances need to be watched more closely
NEPA
Wayne Independent: Solar system to help Habitat home
Times-Tribune: School districts using emergency funds to balance budgets
Pocono Record: Honk if you support medical marijuana
Pocono Record: Truth about public pay: 23 percent make below living wage
The Times Leader: Barletta talks tough issues with supporters in Edwardsville
The Times Leader: Luzerne County municipalities waiting longer for gambling money
Citizens Voice: Residents speak out as Sherman Hills task force tours troubled complex
Citizens Voice: Casino’s big employers; however, revenue falling
Citizens Voice: Education panel faces enduring issues
Standard Speaker: City authority awards energy savings project contract
South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Silver Spring Township resident joins Santorum delegation to Israel
Harrisburg Patriot News: Penn State trustees don’t disagree on everything. Here’s proof.
York Daily Record: Tom Wolf jokes about being from a no-light town; residents say Mount Wolf is charming
York Dispatch: Labor Day DUI crackdown already under way in York
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Pa. infrastructure grade: C-
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Scranton-Times columnist not joining AG Kathleen Kane’s staff
Morning Call: Demand may determine if pipeline gets green light
Express Times: Northampton County mental health court on track for end of 2014
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Kelly announces campaign co-chairs
Onward State: Governance Committee Discusses Reform Proposals, Agrees On Inclusion of Student Trustee
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Commissioners approve $2M in housing assistance
Opinion
Altoona Mirror: ABCD proposal could help solve city’s cash woes
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: Take a stand against ‘ghost jobs’
Harrisburg Patriot News: Corbett’s ‘Healthy PA’ is an unnecessary, hazardous detour: As I See It
York Dispatch: OP-ED: Toomey should support other bills to protect children
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Elected officials need to take a stand on the Central Penn pipeline
Philly.com: It isn’t just city schools
Pottstown Mercury: Shale a boom for Pa., but DEP must be allowed to do its job
Tribune-Review: Democrats’ white-vote dilemma
Tribune-Review: School funding canard: Money isn’t the answer
Tribune-Review: More foreign aid is no answer to border problem
News Item: House committee: No Benghazi scandal
Post-Gazette: A caution on P3s: Let elected officials and the public beware
Post-Gazette: Asides: Politicians joke, candidates debate and Pittsburgh pitches itself
Times-Tribune: Fairer terms
Times-Tribune: Time to start saying, ‘NO’
Citizens Voice: Smoke out property tax solutions
Citizens Voice: The audacity of Bob Mellow
Blogs
Keystone State Education Coalition: Philadelphia schools to open on time amid millions in budget cuts
2 Political Junkies: On Ferguson, Missouri
Pittston Politics: Donovan sues Pittston Area, everyone will get thrown under the bus
Commonwealth Foundation: More on Philadelphia School Trends
3 Responses
THERE WILL BE MORE TOM CORBETT SCANDALS EXPOSED! CORBETT/BRABENDER HAVE NOT PROTECTED THE PUBLIC INTEREST! http://youtu.be/yeeX_HX0hwI
DOES TOM CORBETT NEED HIS OWN MISS ROSEMARY WOODS, LIKE RICHARD MILHOUSE NIXON? http://youtu.be/M-bcsF7rtfo
THE TOMALIS CASE AND THE CORBETT/BRABENDER TEAM’S DESIRE TO HIDE HIS 3 EMAILS IS BECOMING A CLOWNSHOW! PLEASE WILL THE GOP SENATE CAUCUS PUT FORTH A BILL TO GIVE CORBETT DONORS REFUNDS! http://trib.me/1t6kwxR
NEWS ITEM: Ron Tomalis, Gov. Tom Corbett’s special adviser on higher education, resigned on Tuesday amid allegations he performed little work in that role since …