A transportation funding showdown nears in Harrisburg, plus a first glimpse at numbers on Obamacare in PA. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

State Obamacare Exchange Among the Cheapest: PA residents will pay below-average costs according to the latest estimates released by the Obama Administration.

It’s East vs West in Bipartisan Charity Softball Game: Talk about a softball story. Every year at Nationals Park in Washington, members of the U.S. Congress face off in a baseball game. Now, bats and balls will fly in Harrisburg.

Vote in this poll: Public Policy Polling wants to know where you think they should run a poll this weekend. We think they ought to choose Pennsylvania. Vote online here.

Dent & Thompson: NCAA Should Reinstate All PSU Scholarships: A pair of Congressmen and Penn State alums celebrated the NCAA’s decision to reinstate some Penn State scholarships – but said it wasn’t enough.

Strouse Picks Up PASNAP Endorsement: The nurses’ union is the second labor endorsement that the first-time candidate has received.

Statewide
Bloomberg: Critz Praised Top House Campaign Donor in Congressional Record
KDKA: Rob McCord Throws Hat In The Ring For Pa. Governor
AP: Ex-Justice Melvin’s daughter charged with fraud
StateImpactPA: Shale Insight 2013: Oil Is Changing The Conversation In Philadelphia
StateImpactPA: How Will EPA’s New Carbon Limits Impact Coal In PA?
PA Independent: Business, industry groups come out against property tax shift plan
State House Sound Bites: CHIP extended without 6-month waiting period for kids
State House Sound Bites: McCord aims most barbs at Corbett, not primary competition
State House Sound Bites: For state’s building code, consensus that review requires more time
Capitolwire: Influential union leader seeks to spark momentum for McCord.
Capitolwire: Lawmakers want to revive ‘window’ legislation for child sex abuse civil claims.
Capitolwire: McCord says voters won’t be wowed by Schwartz.
WITF: Susquehanna Twp. schools catch auditor general’s attention

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Fitzpatrick: Obamacare hurting Sesame Place employees
Inquirer: Poll: Nutter’s approval rating way down
Philly.com: ACLU calls for patient privacy after PA pill-tracking database vote
CapitolInq: Dems target local Republicans over shutdown threat
WHYY Newsworks: Pew survey shows low marks for Nutter, Philly Council
WHYY Newsworks: How does the Affordable Care Act affect seniors with Medicare?
Phillynow.com: Sen. Pat Toomey praises defunding Obamacare after telling Inquirer it won’t ‘get us outcome we want’
Phillynow.com: State House on Transportation, SEPTA funding: ‘We’re getting there. Maybe.’
KYW Newsradio: District Attorney Weighs in On School Texting Scandal in Coatesville

SEPA
Daily Local: Commissioners to make another road stop
AP: New court challenge filed to Pa. gay marriage ban
Courier Times: Transparency bill would force schools to post spending online
Courier Times: Naughton pushes permanent drilling ban in 8th
Courier Times: Parties craft politically persuasive talking points

Pittsburgh
Urban Media Today: Gainey joins call to ‘open the window’ for child sex abuse victims
Urban Media Today: Doyle Pleased by Health Insurance to be offered in PA; Marketplace Pennsylvania Premiums will be Among the Lowest in the Country
WPXI: Ravenstahl’s final budget includes no increase on property taxes
KDKA: City Council Considers Out-Of-State Company To Manage Police Moonlighting
KDKA: Health Exchanges Kick In Next Week
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidate Resumes Day Job In Israel
Tribune Review: Mayor’s 2014 proposed budget keeps Pittsburgh taxes flat, increases spending slightly
Post-Gazette: North Allegheny to redistrict students for 2014-15 school year

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Commission considers adopting home rule
Altoona Mirror: Six school districts suing Centax
Observer-Reporter: Planning Commission to meet
Beaver County Times: Things get heated at Ambridge council meeting to discuss police chief position

NEPA
Citizen’s Voice: Boback pushes for bill requiring newborn heart defect screenings
Citizen’s Voice: Health care law could stress already strained providers
News Item: Special guests drop by Bloomsburg Fair
The Times Leader: W-B Area deal struck on health insurance excise tax
The Times Leader: Controller candidates still developing fundraising strategies
The Times Leader: Corbett cuts ribbon at Hazleton STEM school
Times-Tribune: Carbondale School Board candidate fined for campaign law violation
Times-Tribune: Ex-Luzerne County Controller charged with wiretapping
Standard Speaker: Future-thinking magnet school draws visit from governor

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Rep. Mauree Gingrich named as chair of state House Gaming Oversight Committee
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cops don’t have to tell drivers in crashes that blood tests can be used against them, Pa. Supreme Court says
Harrisburg Patriot News: Toomey prepared to vote against government funding bill
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers push for extending statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims
Carlisle Sentinel: CAEDC: Two strategies, one goal
Carlisle Sentinel: State board OKs final Common Core-based standards
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Corbett nominates Hurter to fill controller vacancy
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: County gets good news on state of its bridges

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: First Obamacare cost numbers are out
Morning Call: Parkland among nation’s best high schools, U.S. News says
Morning Call: Chrin Bros. to taxpayers: Don’t blame us for tax hike
Reading Eagle: Berks residents join rally against school property tax
Reading Eagle: Estimate your health insurance premiums with this subsidy calculator

North by Northwest
Sun-Gazette: Birth of a bridge
Sun-Gazette: Expert on stronger towns scheduled
Sun-Gazette: Board gets preview of state’s ratings of schools
Daily Times: Penn State Faculty Senate wants additional changes to health care plan
Daily Times: Penn State police see increase in reports of sexual offenses

Opinions
Pottstown Mercury: Health care outreach helping fill gaps in Pa.
Courier Times: Finding a fair funding formula
Tribune Review: ObamaCare: It’s unsustainable; better to scrap it and start anew

Blogs
Keystone Politics: #PAGov: Brian Sims Fundraising for Allyson Schwartz
Keystone Politics: I’m Getting ObamaCare
Keystone Politics: PA Obamacare Premiums Will Be Cheaper Than Expected
Commonwealth Foundation: Young and Old Will Face Premium Spikes Next Year
Commonwealth Foundation: It’s Hard to End Underage Drinking While Promoting Alcohol Consumption
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: How to Abuse a Good Law
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Cedarbrook’s Woes By No Means Unique
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Dent Endorses Glenn Geissinger for NorCo Council