Happy Valentine’s Day politicos, here’s the Buzz.

3 Republicans Join LGBT Equality Caucus, Plus Poll Results on Gay Rights Issues: It was a big day for gay rights advocates in Pa. Equality PA unveiled the 58 members of the LGBT Equality caucus in Harrisburg, including 3 Republicans. The group also announced the results of a public poll that show wide public support on its issues.

Ridge Policy Group: Our former Governor’s government affairs shop announced two hires Wednesday: Stephanie Watkins, formerly of the House of Representatives; Kendra Snuffer, formerly of the Pa. House of Representatives; and Ned Rauch-Mannino of the Urban Industry Initiative.

Statewide
Capitolwire: Medicaid expansion might not be the no-brainer decision supporters claim.
Capitolwire: Rafferty wants to add $1 billion to Corbett’s transportation funding plan.
Capitolwire: David L. Cohen, power broker with Dem resume, to support Gov. Corbett’s re-election.
Capitolwire: Capitolwire: Lawmaker eyes longshot effort to increase county human services funding.
State House Sound Bites: Lawmaker asks for funding boost for human services in current fiscal year
State House Sound Bites: Senate to swing higher for a transportation funding plan
PA Independent: Corbett pension reform push goes multi-media, but misses some facts
PA Independent: Lawmaker proposes restricting drone use in PA
PA Independent: Senate moves to kill Philly Traffic Court day after judges’ guilty plea
StateImpactPA: President Obama Proposes “Energy Security Trust”
StateImpactPA: SRBC Releases “State of the Susquehanna”
StateImpactPA: Pa. Communities Craft Creative Escape Hatch from Drilling Law

Philadelphia

Philly.com: US Airways, American merge in $11 billion deal
Philly.com: Manuel says he sent a strong message to Ruiz
Philly.com: Documents hint at wider scheme in Del. courthouse shooting
Commonwealth Confidential: Pa. Senate votes to KO Phila. Traffic Court
Commonwealth Confidential: State Senate approves bill to abolish Philly traffic court
Heard in the Hall: A Glimpse Into AVI Data
PhillyClout: Wednesday’s DN: A glimpse at AVI’s impact
PhillyClout: State Senate votes to abolish Traffic Court in Philly
PhillyClout: Council committee OKs bill that would regulate horses
CapitolInq: Ten Philly, NJ observations on the State of the Union
WHYY Newsworks: N.J. lawmaker: Opposition to banning gun sales to those on terrorist watchlist ‘mind boggling’
City Paper (Weekly, Wednesday): In the Doghouse
City Paper (Weekly, Wednesday): Going West
City Paper (Weekly, Wednesday): Closing Arguments
Phillynow.com: Poll Shows People Still Opposed to Liquor Board as Corbett Logs More Face Time
Phillynow.com: PA Republicans Ripped for Hosting Virginia Governor at Lincoln Dinner
Philadelphia Weekly:  Rogue Taxidermist Beth Beverly: Fox Scrotums, Animal Ethics & AMC’s Reality Show “Immortalized”
KYW Newsradio: Del. Courthouse Shooter Made Up Phony Death Certificates For Victim And Her Lawyer
KYW Newsradio: Lawmakers Approve Bill To Keep Penn State Fines In Pennsylvania

SEPA
AP: Pa. gov fights Open Records office over access
AP: Lawmakers OK bill to keep Penn State fines in Pa.
AP: Pa. senators begin to confront school safety anew
AP: Senate OKs bills to abolish Philly traffic court
Pottstown Mercury: Montco Commissioners Use Pottstown Visit to Outline Goals
Pottstown Mercury: Commissioner: President discussed issues that will help Montco
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown election update, Gibson won’t run, Belovich seeks mayor’s spot
Delco Daily Times: Longtime Ex-Delco district judge pleads to mail fraud in Philly ticket-fixing scam
Delco Daily Times: Poll shows support for liquor privatization
Montgomery News: Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro attends State of the Union, notes local implications
Daily Local News: Portfolio: State program to honor entrepreneurs

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Ravenstahl spokesman defends Florida actions that led to arrest
KDKA: Political nastiness continues to swirl at Monroeville city hall
Tribune-Review: Ravenstahl says police chief has his full confidence
Tribune-Review: Drilling boom feeds need for flights between Pittsburgh and small airports
Early Returns: Rep. Shuster (R-Blair) issues apology
Post-Gazette: FBI seizure of Pittsburgh police files linked to probe into use of funds
Post-Gazette: Casey appointed to Senate Finance Committee
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh seeks grant to buy hovercraft for river emergencies

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Corbett plan could net Blair Co. schools $12.2 million
Altoona Mirror: City Council to vote on home rule decision
Altoona Mirror: Six Valley View bids under review
Observer-Reporter: No tax bill delivered? Officials say you probably still owe
Observer-Reporter: Canonsburg approves contract for 20 employees
Observer-Reporter: Former Guard armory in Canonsburg could be sold
Observer-Reporter: Burgettstown Area S.D. hires two armed police officers
Beaver Co. Times: Sheriff appeals court’s security ruling
Beaver Co. Times: Beaver Co. commissioner: Union offer to save Friendship Ridge falls woefully short
Beaver Co. Times: Briney water flows into streams
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lockheed Martin closing local facility

NEPA
AP: Pittsburgh mayor says he still supports chief
AP: Corbett, Kane trade barbs over Pa. lottery deal
The Times Leader: Interpretations differ on Obama’s speech
The Times Leader: Liquor plan favored by poll takers
The Times-Tribune
The Times-Tribune: Schools could see boost with liquor store privatization
The Times-Tribune: DEP opens investigation of methane in Dimock water well
The Times-Tribune: House panel votes to restore human services aid
The Times-Tribune: Former state representative avoids trial, accepted into ARD
Citizen’s Voice: School funds await liquor system sale

Lehigh Valley
AP: No state store sell-off, no education grant, Corbett says
Morning Call: Toomey again has Democratic guest at State of the Union
Morning Call: Saucon Valley to consider placing armed officer on campus
Morning Call: Pennsylvania late with unemployment payments
Pennsylvania Ave: Cartwright makes inaugural floor speech
Reading Eagle: Berks schools chiefs call liquor store sale benefits limited
Reading Eagle: County employee registers will to be productive
WFMZ: Berks judge introduced to US Senate Judiciary Committee
WFMZ: Local lawmakers react to State of the Union Address
Express Times: Bethlehem Councilwoman Karen Dolan announces re-election campaign
Express Times: Flemington council chooses not to consider gun violence resolution
Express Times: Flemington residents object to recording council meetings
Express Times: Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright tells Lehigh students to search for truth
Express Times: Lehigh County officials seek answers about special education funding changes in Harrisburg

South Central
AP: Lawmakers OK bill to keep Penn State fines in Pa.
AP: Pa. senators begin to confront school safety anew
AP: Corbett, Kane trade barbs over Pa. lottery deal
AP: Ex-Pa. lawmakers gets ARD program in assault case
Carlisle Sentinel: Obama’s State of the Union message draws mixed reaction from area lawmakers
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett will sign bill that seeks to keep NCAA fines in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Raising the minimum wage: Economist calls proposal modest but effective reward for “hard work”
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Analysis: Pennsylvania politics could turn on Obama congressional tactic
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Pennsylvania legislature approves bill to keep NCAA fines against Penn State in state
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Harrisburg Authority President Bill Cluck accuses Mayor Linda Thompson of being “mentally ill”
York Daily Record: YorkCounts: Convert city school district to charter schools
York Daily Record: State House passes changes to small games of chance law
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Teacher privacy or that or unions?
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Reform per diems
Roxbury News: Mayor Thompson: “I don’t have time for petty discourse”
Roxbury News: Harrisburg Mayor Thompson: “When you spew out misinformation, and you assassinate my character”
Roxbury News: Bill Cluck: “Our mentally ill mayor”
Roxbury News: Local Gaming Grants: The winners

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Sen. Jake Corman’s bill to keep $60M Penn State fine in Pa. passes House, heads to Corbett
Centre Daily Times: Pa. senators to begin to confront school safety anew
Centre Daily Times: Sen. Bob Casey appointed to the Senate Finance Committee

Opinions
Reading Eagle: Merit selection for statewide judicial seats long overdue
Reading Eagle: Superintendents forum: Countywide crisis protocols being implemented in Berks
Pottstown Mercury: Closing Fla. gun loophole is a good idea
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: Pennsylvania’s crumbling infrastructure
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Editorial: Obama’s challenge – and our own
York Dispatch: Editorial: Executive orders should be last resort when Congress fails to govern
Lebanon Daily News: Government shouldn’t talk; it should let the people do
Post-Gazette: Good deal? Time will tell on Consol’s airport drilling lease
Altoona Mirror: Spending out of control

Blogs
Keystone Politics: A perfect example of SEPTA’s wasted potential
Keystone Politics: Raise more money for Pa. transportation budget by killing traffic congestion
Keystone Politics: Personalize alcohol prohibition statewide ‘do not serve’ list
Keystone Politics: Chris Morales should make his Bethlehem council race about the anticompetitive food vendor law
Keystone Politics: Marco Rubio is wrong about housing
Keystone Politics: Universal Pre-K FTW!