PoliticsPA releases our year-end list of Ups and Downs. The Daily News takes a deeper look at the impact of the stimulus. More chatter about Vick, Eagles, Rendell, Obama, etc. City councils around the state work to finalize city budgets, and 2010 is coming to a close. Have a Happy New Year, and see you in 2011.

PoliticsPA’s Ups and Downs: 2010 Edition

It’s been an interesting year in PA Politics: great for some, career-ending for others. These are the people who end the year at the top of their game, and the people who would have been better off if 2010 had never happened.

PoliticsPA’s Ups and Downs: 12/31 Edition

(This one’s just for this week).

Thursday’s Headlines:

Reading Eagle: Slideshow of the late Senator Mike O’Pake’s career.
Patriot News: Harrisburg City Council passes budget by veto-proof margin.
Patriot News: Former Cumberland County Commissioner Bruce Barclay gets probation rather than jail time for seedy dealings.
WFMZ: Reading-area officials remember Mike O’Pake.
WFMZ: Berks transit will provide shuttle service to O’Pake memorial.
Inquirer: The Vick-Obama saga is a case study in new media.
Inquirer: Rendell grants clemency to 3 men involved with murders.
Daily News: A look at 4 people who’s lives were affected by the stimulus.
Daily News: PA would have been much worse without the stimulus. Now what?
Fox Philly 29: Is Philly budget really stable?
Post-Gazette: Allegheny Comptroller Flaherty to seek County Executive spot.
KDKA: Sophie Masloff, Bill Green talk Pittsburgh pension mess.
Morning Call: Mayor Pawlowski bypasses City Council on police pensions and salaries.
Times Tribune: Lackawanna Commissioners will seek re-election.
Times Tribune: New EPA Chesapeake Bay regs will impact NEPA.
Times Herald: What we’re getting when the rate-caps expire.

Thursday’s Opinions:
Daily News: A summary of the Rendell, Eagles, snow, China, wussies controversy.
Daily News Editorial: Failure to close Guantanamo – Obama’s broken promise.
Post-Gazette Editorial: Mayor Ravenstahl was a holdout in budget debate, not a partner.
Post-Gazette Editorial: Congress was irresponsible to punt on government budget.
Tribune Review Editorial: Westmoreland immigration arrests demonstrate need for Kim Ward’s e-verify bill.
Tribune Review Editorial: Rendell was wrong to criticize Eagles postponement.
Patriot News Editorial: Mandate for improvement – China leads the world in education, U.S. lagging.
Sun-Gazette Editorial: After years of overspending, tough challenges await in Harrisburg.
Pottstown Mercury Editorial: Federal pension reform bill would keep irresponsible states in line.
Phil Heron, Delco Times: Ignore Tucker Carlson.
York Dispatch Editorial: Corbett transition team is too heavy on campaign supporters, light on transparency.
Lancaster Era Editorial: In worthwhile goal of cutting spending, Corbett faces serious challenges.
Reading Eagle Editorial: Specter is right – bring cameras to Supreme Court.
Beaver County Times Editorial: Bumbling Turnpike Commission was right to flip-flop on printing tickets.