GOP for Government Spending? Huge shortfalls and the recent flooding have diminished Republicans resistance to infrastructure spending. A new independent expenditure seeks to seal the deal.

Allegheny TV ads: Raja is kicking off the first television ad of the Allegheny County Executive general election today, with Rich Fitzgerald close behind. Check out the 30 second positive spot.

Sestak On The Radar: Former Congressman and Admiral Joe Sestak has come out very publicly against PA Senator Dominic Pileggi’s plan to change the way Pennsylvania allocates its electoral votes.

Cummings is in: The Tea Party leader and owner of a home care agency from Old Forge is aiming for the chance to take on fellow Scranton native Bob Casey.

Congressional Buzz: Pa. Republicans Mike Kelly and Lou Barletta are among the most covered House Freshmen of the 112th Congress.

Bucks Shenanigans: The ongoing investigation of Bucks County employees (and Republican campaign volunteers) couldn’t have come at a more interesting time.

Santorum on ‘Obamacare:’ While also reminding voters of his own dedication to repealing the law, Santorum praised Conner for his decision, releasing a statement saying that, “Judge Conner’s ruling is a victory for freedom, for American jobs and for the constitution.”

National
Washington Post: Rick Santorum Asks Google to Change His Dan Savage-Created Result
Morning Call: Santorum makes headlines…for his Google problem
WFMZ: Government shutdown looms over FEMA fight
New York Times: Would Al Gore have won in 2000 without the Electoral College?
Space Ref: 3rd annual space entrepreneurship forum focuses on the right team in NASA’s post shuttle era
Political Ticker: Santorum chides Obama, Perry over Israel policy

Statewide
The Big Tent: Opposition To Pa. Electoral Vote Change Continues
WHYY Newsworks: Gov. Corbett Brings $15 million For Delaware River Dredging
Senate Republican News: Senator Pileggi: Senate Approves Bill Requiring Prompt Notification fo Personal Data Breeches
Morning Call: Barletta joins Dems on disaster relief aid
Unionville Times: Pitts’ children’s hospital legislation passes house
Chron.com: Pa. puts up $15M for dredging of the Delaware River
AP, Williamsport Sun Gazette: Jurors picked for Pa. corruption trial
Beaver County Times: PLCB shuts down wine kiosk program
Citizens Voice: Tired of Washington mess, Cummings for Senate
Philly.com: Congress has a role in preventing hunger
whptv: PA’s controversial electoral vote bill heads to Washington

Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Gov. Corbett Taking A Wait And See Approach On Philly Schools And The SRC
Philly.com: John Baer: EBT: An all access pass to non-necessities
PhillyClout: Nutter administration backs down in Court funding fight
PhillyClout: Former Controller Saidel to endorse Taubenberger for Council
PhillyNow: Can Rick Santorum really fix his ‘Google problem’?
WHYY Newsworks: Advocacy groups warn of dire consequences in Pa. From Medicaid cuts
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia to finally get lobbying regulations
WHYY Newsworks: Corbett says he’s still looking for answers on Phila schools
WHYY Newsworks: State Rep. Cherelle Parker challenges her April DUI arrest in Germantown
CBS Philly: Consumer activists say US government is promoting obesity
CBS Philly: Legislation giving every Phila hotel a free parking space is pulled
6ABC: Pa. Puts up $1.5M for dredging of Delaware River
Upper Dublin Patch: Castor and Brown talk transparency, ethics
Montgomery Media: Local Legislators react to proposal to split electoral vote
Newsworks: Neighborhood networks endorse Sheriff, Council, and Judicial candidates
Newsworks: Suit could help Philadelphia’s police union become next political powerhouse

Philly Burbs
PottstownMercury: Senate panel to take up rewrite of Pa. Library law
TheIntelligencer: Monaco goes after host casino
TheIntelligencer: Dems pledge to aid student-veterans
DelcoTimes: Pileggi pushes rewrite of Pa. Library law
DelcoTimes: Protestors disagree with Pileggi’s electoral vote plan
Phillyburbs.com: Montco GOP candidates outline government reform measures
Phillyburbs.com: Dems pledge to aid student veterans
Phillyburbs.com: Montco goes after host casino revenue
Phillyburbs.com: Democrats take ethics pledge
Phillyburbs.com: New Hope officials still hopeful for future of playhouse
Phillyburbs.com: Residents argue bridge should be reopened
Phillyburbs.com: End wasteful practices that serve GOP interests over taxpayers’ interests

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: Mayor Ravenstahl Starts Reelection Drive
Early Returns: Raja Ads Debut Thursday
Tribune Review: Westmoreland candidates say they’ll oppose tax changes
Tribune Review: Allegheny Council targets assessment inequity – brittany  f
Post Gazette: CMU professor leads cost of health care research
Early Returns: Santorum A Big Supporter of electoral college changes
KDKA: Local celebs cook for a cause
Post Gazette: Council requires homes be assessed evenly
Early Returns: Ravenstahl starts reelection drive
Tribune Review: Strip recieves key designation
Post Gazette: Parking limit extended two hours in market square
Tribune Review: Bishop leads opposition to mandate
Early Returns: Executive attack #33
Early Returns: Raja adds debut Thursday

NEPA
Times Tribune: Proposed Cuts To Medical Assistance Programs Could Leave Millions of Pennsylvanians Without Care
Times Tribune: Officials Say Luzerne’s Levees Ready for Next “High-Water” Event
Times Tribune: Lackawanna Medical Alliance Kicks Off Fall Initiative
Times Tribune: Old Forge Council Accepts New Member
AP, Times Leader: State Senators Consider Rewrite of Pa. Library Law
Times Leader: Pa. Puts Up $15M for Dredging of Delaware River
Times Leader: FEMA Has No Plans For Trailers in Area
Times Leader: Meeting on Flood Closed
Citizens Voice: Bars Pass Liquor Test, Refuse to Serve Minors
Citizens Voice: Tired of Washingon Mess, Cummings Runs for Senate
Wayne Independent: Senators Unveil Flood Relief Package
Wayne Independent: Marcellus Shale Hearings Scheduled for Williamsport, Towanda
Daily Review: 400 Seek Assistance at Disaster Recovery Center in Bradford County
Daily Review: Department of Public Welfare Offers Help to Flood-Stricken Residents

South Central
Public Opinion: Pa. Town Awaits News After Hikers Freed in Iran
The Sentinel: For Some York Area School Districts, Pay-to-Pay Gains Support
The SentinelL From Streets to Streams, Program Helps At-Risk Youth
Patriot-News: North Londonderry Township Officials Thank Emergency Workers for Superior Service During Flood
Patriot-News: Flood Recovery Creates Opportunity for Retired State Workers
Patriot-News: Harrisburg Mayor: State and National Guard Helps City Remove 600 Tons of Flood Debris
Patriot-News: Pa. Governor’s Residence Reopens for Public Tours After Being Evacuated During Recent Flood
Patriot-News: Sen. Jeffrey Piccola Suggests Harrisburg City Conroller Dan Miller Focus on His Day Job, Not Mayoral Aspirations
Patriot-News: Dauphin County Flood Damage Estimates Top $150 Million
Patriot News: Dauphin County Commissioners Waive Fee for Disposal of Flood Debris
Patriot-News: Harrisburg Controller Dan Miller Tells Se. Jeff Piccola to Back Off, Give City Bankcruptcy Option
AP, Patriot-News: Pennsylvania Senators Consider Overhaul of the State’s Library Code
Patriot-News: Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson Backs Off Threat to Fine Residents for Flood Debris
Patriot-News: PLCB Pulls the Plug On Wine Kiosks in Grocery Stores
York Daily Record: Platts, Local Tea Party Leaders Feuding
York Daily Record: Prison Needs $12,450 HVAC Repair

North by Northwest
Erie-Times News: Congressman Kelly getting a lot of coverage
Courier Express: Meeting on Marcellus Shale set for Thursday
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Commissioners to consider leachate hauling deals

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Commissioner candidates talk libraries, efficiency
Reading Eagle: Plenty of punches in first mayoral debate
Reading Eagle: Cumru commissioners approve new curfew
Express Times: Moore Township supervisors race has three candidates for one seat

Southwest
Gazette: PDE nixes Elderton plan
Mirror: Casino study focuses on Altoona
Beaver County Times: Pumpkin shortage not expected locally

Opinion
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh’s pension plan: funny financials
Post Gazette: Americans must share the pain of debt reduction
Patriot-News: Pa. Welfare Department Needs Tighter Controls
Public Opinion: Shuster Appears at Local Business
Public Opinion: Outside Influence Prevades Pa. Budget Talks
York Daily Record: More Grandstanding by Rep. Perry
Morning Call: A good first step
Morning Call: Be fair and revise nation’s entire tax code
Morning Call: Tax plan ‘ill-advised’
Morning Call: Greed, politics trump sound economics
Morning Call: Washington must end its political games
Morning Call: Tax plan presents proper course of action
Patriot-News: Pa. Welfare Department Needs Tighter Controls
Patriot-News: Liberals Are Out of Ideas and Want Another Remake
Express Times: The Morning Note: Is the GOP trying to keep the economy poor in order to do better in 2012 election?
Express Times: Elected officials should expose their loyalties; townships act unwisely on open space – Sept. 21 letters to the editor
Erie-Times News: Let’s abolish electoral college
Erie-Times News: Corbett, GOP attack democracy
Washington Post: The GOP is trying to rig the Electoral College
Talking Points Memo: Rick Santorum’s new crusade against Google is total nonsense
Courier Express: Presidential election: Make Pa. primary more relevant, too
Centre Daily Times: Pave the way to road funding
The Feehery Theory: Posts Tagged: Auditor Jack Wagner
Daily Times: Dis-enrollment shows need for quality education
Centre Daily: Pave the way to road funding
Inquirer: Better job of redistricting
Inquirer: English-only legislation isn’t worth publishing
DailyNews: Electoral college change would make us disappear
PottstownMercury: Obama plan unlikely to help economy
PottstownMercury: Immigration issue could hurt Perry
PottstownMercury: Changes to Megan’s Law pushed in Pa.
BucksLocalNews: Do you think the U.S. Is ready for another recession?
DelcoTimes: Pileggi’s proposal won’t change much

Blogs
John Hanger: Extraordinary Shale Production Growth Rates Smackdown Ponzi Charge
Keystone Politics: Sweatshop Conditions at Amazon.com’s Allentown Shipping Facility
Keystone Politics: Harrisburg Woman Discharged Under DADT Will Re-enlist
PennPatriot: Pileggi’s Electoral College Idea: A Really Bad Idea
Lu-Lac Political Letter: Hikers In Iran
2 Political Junkies: More Scaife Connections To Keep An Eye On
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Is Bethlehem Township Solicitor Jim Broughal Conflicted?
Lehigh Valley Ramblings:Libraries? We Dont Need No Steekin Libraries!-Brittany H
ThinkProgress: Rick Santorum endorses PA election scheme because it will rig Presidential election for Republicans