Prison closings and lottery privatization plans, oh my. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Shades of Santorum? Corbett Critic Pounces on PPP Numbers: After a PPP poll earlier this week showed Gov. Tom Corbett’s approval rating in negative territory, one conservative critic warns that the GOP is heading for a repeat of 2006.

Harper Poll: Pa. Voters Support Corbett NCAA Suit: More Pennsylvanians support Gov. Tom Corbett’s lawsuit against the NCAA and its Penn State sanctions than oppose it, according to a new survey from GOP firm Harper Polling.

Statewide
StateImpact: Pennsylvania’s DEP offers acid mine drainage water to drillers
Citizens Voice: BP’s Mehoopany wind farm online
Capitolwire: Corrections Sec. Wentzel announces plan to move prison inmates to new facility, closing the inmates’ two old prisons
Capitolwire: Lottery union says it could outpace Camelot bid
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: What do saggy poll numbers mean for Gov?
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: GOP insiders say Castille is making key decisions, wait for his political plan
Capitol Ideas: House dems plug transportation funding
Capitol Ideas: In letter to McCord, PA Revenue Secretary defends planned Lottery privatization
Capitol Ideas: Correction Dept. says it will close two prisons, open a new one in Centre County
Capitol Ideas: Wednesday Morning Coffee: Lottery union says it could beat private bid
State House Sound Bites: Immersive trainer lets soldiers practice tactics in virtual world
State House Sound Bites: Treasurer: potential Lottery expansion still may not be legal
State House Sound Bites: State to close two prisons in Cambria & Westmoreland counties
PA Independent: Audit finds real trouble in PA Turnpike Commission expenses
PA Independent: Closure of two prisons to save PA $23 million next year without layoffs

Philadelphia
Philly.com: CeasefirePA leader talks guns with Biden, leaves ‘very optimistic’
Inquirer: Pennsylvania report cites lavish spending by Turnpike Commission
Philly Clout: Apple of Ed’s Eye?
Philly Clout: Wednesday’s DN: City questioned over prison healthcare firm

SEPA
Bucks Local News: Citizens group appeals judge’s decision to keep three voting districts in Pennsbury
Pottstown Mercury: Montco lawmaker wants to legalize pot
Pottstown Mercury: Boyertown School Board OKs plan for $55M high school renovation, expansion
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. lawmakers discuss property tax elimination in Berks
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks officials backing away from healthcare investigation
Delco Daily Times: Folcroft mayor fails in attempt to veto passage of 2013 budget

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Air National Guard unit in Moon on list of candidates for new tanker plane
Tribune Review: Two children die in crash, other wrecks reported in Butler County
Post-Gazette: From Pittsburgh to Paris: Partnership’s grant hopes to revitalize Downtown
Post-Gazette: Melvin asks Supreme Court colleagues to block her criminal trial
Post-Gazette: Rooney ‘frustrated’ with Steelers’ season, not with Tomlin or Haley
Early Returns: CP takes on Corbett
Early Returns: Melvin asks colleagues to ditch trial
Early Returns: Hillary’s farewell to Dan
Early Returns: Casey on Karzai
KDKA: IRS Delays Tax Refunds & Start of Filing Returns

Southwest
Beaver County Times: 2nd lawsuit dismissed in PA. takeover of capital
Beaver County Times: Pa. seeks ideas for privatization of traveler info
Observer-Reporter: Biden pledges urgent administration action on gun control
Observer-Reporter: Unionized employees make Pa. Lottery pitch
Observer-Reporter: Spanier asks court to allow contact with trustees
Observer-Reporter: 3 jurors picked for Pittsburgh inmate abuse case
Altoona Mirror: Penn State students notified after State College robbery
Altoona Mirror: Up for the challenge
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Biden meets with gun-safety, victims groups

NEPA
Pocono Record: All Pa. restaurants to be posted by end of 2013
Times-Tribune: State seeks ideas for privatization of traveler info
Times Leader: Turnpike Commission criticized

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Pa. Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis in talks about a No Child Left Behind waiver
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Lottery privatization: Pa. Treasurer Rob McCord continues to question legality of proposed lottery expansion
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Pennsylvania gets a D for programs to prevent tooth decay in children
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Lottery privatization: A decision on another bid extension from lone bidder not expected today
The Carlisle Sentinel: 2nd lawsuit dismissed in takeover of Harrisburg

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: In victory for mayor, Allentown Council forgoes referendum
WFMZ: Coopersburg police chief announces run for magistrate
WFMZ: Bucks Co. DA announces reelection bid
Reading Eagle: Board, agency, auditors point fingers over Reading Schools’ missing millions
Reading Eagle: Boyertown School Board appoints ex-member defeated at polls
Morning Call: Allentown school board president defends decision not to alert parents of student with gun
Morning Call: Sandusky legal costs, PR cost Penn State $26 million

North by Northwest
Sun Gazette: Loyalsock Twp. passes property tax cut
Sun Gazette: New appointments considered by Williamsport council
Centre Daily Times: Fact-finder’s report completed in latest State College Area School District

Opinions
Bucks County Courier Times: Gun control doesn’t work
Bucks County Courier Times: Armed guards in schools?
Delco Daily Times: SPENCER: Lawsuit might force NCAA to backpedal
Times-Tribune: No wonder they won’t fix pensions
Daily Item: Lotter expansion raises issue of gambling’s impact on poor, youth
Pocono Record: Take gun plan to logical conclusion
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Editorial: ‘Boy Scout’ politics won’t earn Corbett a second term

Blogs
Keystone Conservative: Students First – Pennsylvania Report Card
Keystone Politics: Balkanized Local Government and Political Inequality