The ‘cash-for-kids’ judge gets 12-15 years, Judy Schwank airs the first TV ad in the SD-11 special election, Planned Parenthood hits back over funding cuts, we grade Corbett’s first month, and Fitzpatrick votes against the Patriot Act.

Raja announces, Carney eyeing a rematch, Orie’s trial continues, Corbett puts the kibosh on a Fayette Co. jail, and more DROP in the Philly council races.

Good numbers for Obama, Casey and Corbett. The budget debate continues, with Toomey speaking at Heritage. Vouchers on the agenda in Harrisburg. And Tom Knox considers a primary challenge to Nutter.. because Philly is famous for supporting losers?

In a show of bipartisanship, State Sen. Solobay also partook of the lobbyist perk-fest Super Bowl trip. Sam Rohrer is back, vouchers are coming, and the Post-Gazette’s Daniel Malloy is just absolutely on a role.

Scarnati gets suspended 6 games for violating the league’s ‘no-high-profile-perks-from-lobbyists’ policy. Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson does her best Mubarak impression. Tom Marino’s kind words for Obama. And Mayor Nutter is a sure thing for re-election – even if that doesn’t excite you.

State Rep. Christiana is engaged, the PA GOP adores a balanced ticket, politicians are infatuated with Marcellus perks, it’s complicated between Rick Santorum and CPAC attendees, and even Arlen Specter is getting some love.

PA Treasurer Rob McCord is stepping in the fill the void left to Democrats by Ed Rendell. Rick Santorum is at CPAC. Allegheny GOPers have two likely candidates for County Exec. And PoliticsPA has your rundown of prospective GOP judicial candidates.

Union-funded pro-Casey radio ads air in the state. Santorum gets a little press for a spat with Politico. PA Republicans celebrate Reagan’s legacy as they prepare for this weekend’s state committee meeting. Allegheny GOPers have a potential self-funding candidate for County Exec. The cash-for-kids trial moves forward.

Vice President Biden visited PA yesterday to announce the administration’s plans to put America’s railroads on track. The abortion clinic scandal is breeding a surprising degree of bipartisanship, and Republicans and Democrats work to respond. The Sestak ad, you know the one, won an award as the “Toughest TV Ad” in 2010. The State House is looking at ways to block the health care reform in PA. And the Luzerne County cash-for-kids scandal is moving forward in court.