Who’d have thought funding for Planned Parenthood could be so contentious? Planned Parenthood and the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List have dueling radio ads in the Philly suburbs re: votes by Reps. Fitzpatrick and Meehan to defund the former.

As a result of dwindling populations and unavailable numbers of candidates, countless boroughs across Pennsylvania are asking themselves if a reduction in council seats is the right move for them. Many officials and borough citizens believe that lowering the number of their borough’s council seats in proportion with population, can help make government more tightly regulated and efficient.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) launched the next step of its “Drive to 25” campaign last Wednesday—a paid advertising and grassroots effort that targets 50 Republican representatives from across the nation—and Pennsylvania is in the lead with seven representatives taking the heat.

David Yarkin, former deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, wrote an op-ed for today’s New York Times contending that states and cities can slash their deficits by buying services and goods in mass from a single vendor.

State Dem. Party Chairman Jim Burn said Altmire, a right-leaning democrat, may have a tough race in 2012. Steve Peoples of Roll Call has the story and interview with the Chairman.

The U.S. secretaries of Education and Labor visited Philadelphia to promote collaborations that will help adult learners join the work force as well as obtain college degrees.

CVPA and LCV are hitting U.S. Reps. Jason Altmire (D-Allegheny) and Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne) for their votes in favor of an amendment to the House spending bill that limits EPA enforcement of a variety of regulations, including mercury pollution.