Lots of news, including a poll, about Corbett’s NCAA lawsuit. See who in Pa. made a list of top national politicos. And the latest from the Pittsburgh mayoral race. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

PPP Poll: Voters Approve Corbett on NCAA Suit, But Not Him: The latest survey from Public Policy Polling shows that most registered voters support Tom Corbett’s decision to sue the NCAA. But the Governor’s approval rating and his head-to-head performance against several Democrats leaves much to be desired.

10 PA Politicos Make Campaigns & Elections “Influencers 500” List: The national magazine Campaigns & Elections is out with its annual list of the most influential political consultants in the country. Here are the men and women who made the list for Pa.

Politically Uncorrected: Tom Corbett: Doing the Right thing for the Wrong Reason: In this week’s column, Madonna and Young examine Governor Tom Corbett’s decision to sue the NCAA.

Support Corbett’s NCAA Suit, Says PAGOP: The Pa. Republican Party is wading into the war of words over Gov. Tom Corbett’s effort to sue the NCAA and ease tough sanctions against Penn State.

‘Danny Mac’ Bill From Fitz Campaign Ad Now Law: A bill that had a starring role in Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick’s re-election campaign is now law. The ‘Danny Mac’ rule closes a loophole in the rules governing benefits available to the families of emergency personnel who die in the line of duty.

Meet Matt Cartwright’s New Team: The beliefs and convictions of a member of Congress are important determinant of his or her votes. But effectiveness? That depends on the staff he or she assembles. Here is the official team of newly-minted Rep. Matt Cartwright.

Cartwright Elected Freshman Dem President: Newly-seated Rep. Matt Cartwright was elected class president by his fellow Democratic freshman. He will serve alongside fellow class president Joaquin Castro for the 2013 legislative year. He is one of 38 first-term Democrats sworn into the house on Thursday.

Local Elections

Bethlehem Mayor: City Councilman J. William Reynolds, 32, will officially launch his bid Tuesday. Councilman Robert Donchez, 62, and former Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham are also considering a bid.

Pittsburgh Mayor: Councilman Bill Peduto boasted raising $330K so far for his bid against Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, a number he says is historic for a challenger. His campaign didn’t release its cash on hand. Ravenstahl’s campaign didn’t return a call for comment, but he had $342,164 on his most recent report at the end of 2011. Michael Lamb’s campaign says it will release its numbers when they’re due.

Statewide
PA Independent: State ups commitment for struggling municipalities
PA Independent: PA spent $690 million on overpayments for unemployment compensation
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: School reform group gives PA passing grade
StateImpact: Study: Natural Gas No Bridge to Zero Fossil Fuel Future
WHYY Newsworks: Biodiesel tax credit not expected to spread alternative fuels in region
Capitolwire: Corman files injunction seeking to prevent spending of PSU sanction money
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: Corbett and Kane lack trust, as both pursue political goals, with confrontation inevitable
Capitol Ideas: Public Policy Poll: Voters back Corbett’s NCAA lawsuit — but not his handling of Penn State
Capitol Ideas: Monday Morning Coffee: For NePa’s Blake, a key role in helping distressed cities

Philadelphia
Daily News: Brady on latest Philly parish mergers: Sad, but inevitable
Heard in the Hall: A new firehouse, and a new protest

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Police presence to be ‘more frequent and visible’ in Bristol Twp schools
Delco Daily Times: Sandy Hook shooting fuels debate over armed guards at schools
Delco Daily Times: Despite a surplus, Chester battles fiscal distress
AP: Corbett won’t abandon gun shows at Farm Show Complex

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Lawyer seeks to have DUI tests halted in PA
Post-Gazette: Penn State Coach, O’Brien, denies raise program changes
Early Returns: Corbett still underwater, despite suit
KDKA: Fiscal Cliff Rescue-What it Does & Does not do for you

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Texas supplier faces sentence in PA coke pipeline
Beaver County Times: New Year brings host of new laws
Observer-Reporter: Obama to nominate Hagel as Pentagon chief
Altoona Mirror: Congress wins no friends
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Analysis: Lawsuit’s political overtones: Corbett’s re-election hopes may hinge on Penn State

NEPA
The Pocono Record: Freshman Congress selects Cartwright as class president
The Times Tribune: NEPA rebuilds lost state clout
The Times Tribune: Blake post puts him at center of municipal fiscal issues
AP: Corbett supports gun shows at Farm Show Complex
AP: EPA fracking study dodges water contamination

South Central
York Dispatch: Obama puts Spring Garden man in federal post for shipping
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Education Secretary Ron Tomalis reacts to the D+ grade that Pennsylvania got on states’ report card
Harrisburg Patriot-News: State Supreme Court expands online access to case records
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson to participate in anti-gun-violence community forum Wednesday
The Carlisle Sentinel: Mayor projects Harrisburg’s debt will be erased this year

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Berks mom celebrates son’s [U.S. Sen. Barrasso (R-Wyoming)] swearing-in
Reading Eagle: State to post municipal restaurant reports online
Reading Eagle: Locals respond to payroll tax hike
WFMZ: Bucks Co. Commissioners reorganize
Morning Call: Fiscal Cliff deal saves key Allentown arena-related tax credit
Morning Call: Lower Nazareth Twp. spends big in eviction case
Morning Call: Bethlehem Twp. streetlight deal trial begins
Pennsylvania Ave: Hagel, Defense Secretary pick, tough sell for Toomey
Express-Times: Ex-Rep. Joe Brennan (D-Lehigh) begins jail term for DUI, asks judge to reconsider
Express-Times: Easton attorney to run for district judge
Express-Times: Northampton Co. keeps president, vice president

North by Northwest
AP: Toll hike goes into effect on Turnpike
Centre Daily News: Experts questions state’s legal standing in Corbett’s lawsuit against NCAA
Times-News: Fmr. Sen. Jane Earll to receive community service award
Sun Gazette: Lycoming Co. municipal, school board seats up for election this year

Opinions
Ana Puig, Patriot News: Republicans caved in on fiscal cliff – Keegan
Delco Daily Times: EDITORIAL: Gas revenue could mend this ‘Promised Land’s’ budget
Delco Daily Times: Edelstein: Generation X will not got into debt over fiscal cliff
The Times Tribune: Generational roll of dice
Reading Eagle: PA lawmakers have no authority over NCAA
Philly.com: Phila. airport expansion must benefit all, including workers
Sun Gazette: Put politics aside and honor World War I vets

Blogs
A Budget and Policy Center: Many Families Turn to Public Services Following Recession
Keystone Politics: Bill Peduto Raised $330K for #PGHMayor Primary
Keystone Politics: A Concrete Example of How the Land Value Tax Can Help Philadelphia
Keystone Politics: Today in Botched NCAA Politics
Keystone Politics: NCAA Suit Not Helping Corbett