Republican politicos from around Pa. gather this weekend in Harrisburg. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Check back later today for the Ups & Downs.

GOP Fall State Committee Preview: The state Republican party is holding its seasonal meeting on Sept. 20th and Sept. 21st at the Harrisburg Hilton.

Clinton Treasury Sec Rubin Backs McGinty: The controversial former Treasury Secretary formally endorsed Katie McGinty’s gubernatorial campaign.

Margolies Campaign to Host 33 Members of Congress: The former Congresswoman and once-again candidate is using her DC connections to raise money and maintain front-runner status.

Sabato Upgrades Rothfus Rating to Safe: National elections handicapper Larry Sabato thinks freshman Rep. Keith Rothfus is heading for a second term.

Statewide
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: House leaders closer to moving transportation bill, but spend number still a big debate
State House Sound Bites: Despite contrarians, governor’s team says Medicaid is feds’ call, not state lawmakers’
State House Sound Bites: For cities in Act 47 program, a proposed way out
PA Independent: Hit the brakes: Nationwide, toll road debt grows to almost $19 million a mile
StateImpactPA: Oil Trains Rumble into Philly, Bringing Dakota Crude, Jobs and Safety Concerns

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Fumo cancels party at mansion
Inquirer: New, school-friendly tax-abatement plan in works
Inquirer: A Republican advocate for the uninsured and society’s most vulnerable
Inquirer: Chesco housing agency goes smoke-free
Philly.com: How many Philly-area residents could lose food stamp benefits?
Philly.com: Gift horses: Slots players send $1.5 billion bouquet to Pa.’s race industry
Philly.com: Philadelphia fire commissioner will retire in ’14
Daily News: A mayor gets a show-and-tell and a neighborhood gets a long-awaited miracle

SEPA
Phillyburbs: Casey blasts GOP over debt-ceiling fight
Phillyburbs: DiGirolamo calls for investigation into prescription abuse problem
Phillyburbs: Bucks County to unveil plan for courthouse rotunda
Phillyburbs: Morrisville mayor, police to discuss faster crime alerts
Montgomery Media: U.S. Rep Mike Fitzpatrick wraps up round of business visits with stop at Franconia Heritage Restaurant
Montgomery Media: North Penn School District discusses impact of ending No Child Left Behind in Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Toomey seeks answers from VA as to decision to halt outpatient center in Butler
Tribune-Review: House committee grills VA official over Legionnaires’, other info
Post-Gazette: Senator requests Pittsburgh Housing Authority documents, cites ‘insufficient HUD controls’
WESA: Ferlo Calls for Fracking Moratorium in PA

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Agency reports land disturbance from gas development
Altoona Mirror: Judge denies man gun ownership
Altoona Mirror: Bedford receives $2.7M loan to help develop business park
Tribune-Democrat: Budget crunch ahead?: Cambria officials differ over extent of fiscal problems
WTAJ: Senators at Bedford Showcase
WTAJ: Local Charities Filling the Welfare Gap

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Rendell hosts Pawlowski fundraiser despite pledge to stay out of gubernatorial race
Morning Call: Dent, Barletta standing with colleagues against Obamacare
Reading Eagle: Pitts, local leaders to hold December summit
Reading Eagle: County could get big bill for lead cleanup at Kaercher Creek Park
Reading Eagle: Lawmakers support plan to defund Affordable Care Act
WFMZ: Northampton County Council moves to block sale of Braden Airpark

South Central
Lancaster Intelligencer: Conestoga Wood appeals ‘Obamacare’ contraception requirement to US Supreme Court
Lancaster Intelligencer: Poverty rate in Lancaster County rises to nearly 12 percent
Carlisle Sentinel: East Pennsboro Township raises concerns about EPA requirements
Carlisle Sentinel: County planning department to look at warehouse plan, make recommendations to township
Patriot News: Harrisburg debt deal heads to court
York Daily Record:York City Council to mull booting regulations at committee meeting
York Daily Record: York school officials discuss recovery plan, police force
Patriot News: Support for Harrisburg debt plan overwhelms opposition
Patriot News: Mayor Thompson in tears in the wake of debt deal’s unofficial court approval
Patriot News: Waiting game in Gilberton as Chief Mark Kessler and his supporters sweat out council’s decision on his job; vote is tonight

NEPA
Times Leader: ‘I hope they will do their jobs’ PennDOT chief implores lawmakers for transit funds
Times-Tribune: Women’s resource center awarded $300,000 DOJ grant
Times-Tribune: Marino, Barletta favor tying government spending resolution to defunding Obamacare
Citizens’ Voice: Transportation secretary urges action on bridges
News Item: Strausser: Clausi’s call for her resignation is spiteful
Standard Speaker: Infamous Gilberton chief on chopping block
Standard Speaker: Ex-Congressman says experience can help state
Pike County Courier: New ordinances regulate political signs and driveways
Daily Review: Sayre receives pump station grant

North by Northwest
Go Erie: Kelly, Thompson to address GOP
Centre Daily: Chamber to hold more meetings, create smaller board, emphasize economic development
Centre Daily: State College Borough Council postpones vote on maintenance facility project
Williamsport Sun Gazette: City: $12M grant for parking garage falls through
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Municipalities mull pros, cons of area gas drilling

Opinions
Post-Gazette: Extending Medicaid: Corbett’s broader plan comes with strings attached
Tribune-Review: Frack, baby, frack: Good news
Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh is a seller in a seller’s market
Standard Speaker: Education standards set bar right
Daily Review: Do you know your country’s Constitution?
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Better to expand Medicaid
Daily News: DN Editorial: Corbett’s try

Blogs
Above Average Jane: HB 1576: Endangering PA’s Endangered Species
Above Average Jane: Two Debates at Constitution Center
Commonwealth Foundation: Union Abuses Force Pennsylvania Teachers to Speak Out
Commonwealth Foundation: School District Takes Lavish Retreat Amid Budget Crisis