Budget
Gov. Wolf set to unveil budget plan with focus on severance tax for gas drillers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/02/04/Gov-Wolf-set-to-unveil-budget-plan-with-focus-on-severance-tax-for-gas-drillers/stories/201902020059
Gov. Tom Wolf will double down on policy favorites in kick-off to second term. But where does that leave tax rates?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/gov-tom-wolf-will-double-down-on-policy-favorites-in-kick-off-to-second-term-but-where-does-that-leave-tax-rates.html
In budget address, how ambitious will Gov. Tom Wolf be?
https://papost.org/2019/02/04/in-budget-address-how-ambitious-will-gov-tom-wolf-be/
Child care advocates ask for bigger cut of state budget
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/child-care-advocates-ask-for-bigger-cut-of-state-budget
Lawmakers hope governor’s budget brings little drama
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/lawmakers-hope-governor-s-budget-brings-little-drama/article_7bebc1fd-dd02-59af-bc58-2949229a1dc5.html
Where will they turn?: Don’t cut cash program for poorest of the poor
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/04/Where-will-they-turn-Don-t-cut-cash-program-for-poorest-of-the-poor/stories/201901310036
Legislature
Bill would ban pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs
https://www.tribdem.com/news/bill-would-ban-pet-stores-from-selling-commercially-bred-dogs/article_fd288e0f-2777-516b-97cc-59733b04ae93.html
Ward takes up price-gouging push
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/02/ward-takes-up-price-gouging-push/
VFW post, lawmaker, take proactive stands on secondhand smoke
https://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/vfw-post-lawmaker-take-proactive-stands-on-secondhand-smoke/article_a066a8ca-0cfe-5df0-a8ae-28c844f96d25.html
Business
Weitzenkorn’s leaving Pottstown after 155 years
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/weitzenkorns-leaving-pottstown
Education
Construction at new Dallas school moving forward
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/construction-at-new-dallas-school-moving-forward-1.2441204
Hershey School’s law firm was arguing two cases before a federal judge — and then hired his son
http://www.philly.com/business/hershey-trusthires-judge-son-greenleaf-elliott-20190204.html
Be relentless at district
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/be-relentless-at-district-1.2441156
Revisions miss
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/revisions-miss-1.2441158
Safe2Say tip line lets students, staff report potential school threats
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190204/safe2say-tip-line-lets-students-staff-report-potential-school-threats
Elections/Politics
Pennsylvania needs paper ballots to secure our elections | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-voting-machines-paper-trail-20190204.html
Chester County political parties looking toward primary election
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/chester-county-political-parties-looking-toward-primary-election/article_6b5ee410-27d9-11e9-9b1c-8be79c05203d.html
Gaming
Winners and losers pack Rivers Casino for 1st Super Bowl with legal betting
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14575023-74/aaron-donald-to-win-super-bowl-mvp-a-popular-bet-at-rivers
Federal move could ‘virtually destroy’ online gambling in Pennsylvania, N.J., but help big GOP donor
http://www.philly.com/news/trump-justice-department-adelson-casts-internet-mobile-gaming-in-doubt-20190202.html
Health Care
Pressed by activists, Penn State Hershey reconsiders use of live pigs to train doctors
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/02/pressed-by-activists-penn-state-hershey-reconsiders-use-of-live-pigs-to-train-doctors.html
Local News
Internal review of Luzerne County election trips still underway
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732360/internal-review-of-luzerne-county-election-trips-still-underway
Merit-based raises for county non-unionized workers explained
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/merit-based-raises-for-county-non-unionized-workers-explained-1.2441201
NEPIRC receives PPL Foundation grant for student video contest
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732375/nepirc-receives-ppl-foundation-grant-for-student-video-contest
Free Luzerne County online tool created to search old deeds
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732358/free-luzerne-county-online-tool-created-to-search-old-deeds
Meuser seeks answers on EPA stormwater management regulations
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732338/meuser-seeks-answers-on-epa-stormwater-management-regulations
53rd time’s a charm: Edwardsville native worked through night to prepare Super Bowl field
https://www.timesleader.com/news/732320/53rd-times-a-charm-edwardsville-native-worked-through-night-to-prepare-super-bowl-field
FBI probe won’t slow Scranton’s exit from financial distress designation
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fbi-probe-won-t-slow-scranton-s-exit-from-financial-distress-designation-1.2441250
Dentist brings same-day care to Marketplace at Steamtown
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dentist-brings-same-day-care-to-marketplace-at-steamtown-1.2441209
After six fall through thin ice at Lake Wallenpaupack , fire chief urges caution
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/after-six-fall-through-thin-ice-at-lake-wallenpaupack-fire-chief-urges-caution-1.2441304
Trial opens today for first of seven former Lackawanna County Prison guards
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/trial-opens-today-for-first-of-seven-former-lackawanna-county-prison-guards-1.2441337
Meth is still a problem
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/meth-is-still-a-problem-1.2441246
Schuylkill County approves sale of tax properties
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-county-approves-sale-of-tax-properties-1.2441200
Shenandoah police force now 6 full-time officers
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/shenandoah-police-force-now-6-full-time-officers-1.2441198
Irwin revives proposed amusement tax
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14576066-74/irwin-revives-proposed-amusement-tax
Land use change proposed to add homes at Unity development
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14576069-74/land-use-change-proposed-to-add-homes-at-unity-development
In first for Lehigh Valley, Easton sewer plant looks to food scraps to generate power
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-nws-easton-methane-power-20190125-story.html
National News
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam calls impromptu staff meeting amid calls for him to step down
http://www.philly.com/politics/ralph-northam-virginia-governor-racist-yearbook-photo-impromptu-meeting-20190204.html
Natural Gas
Westmoreland residents remain concerned about flaring, ongoing deep gas well issue
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2019/02/03/Westmoreland-County-Utica-Shale-gas-well-drilling-flaring-CNX-Beaver-Run-Reservoir/stories/201902030176
Philly
Philadelphia Mayor Kenney, business leaders talk past Johnny Doc’s indictment
http://www.philly.com/business/john-dougherty-electricians-kenney-comcast-george-norcross-20190204.html
Philly DA Larry Krasner disinvited to speak at Yale Law conference after Mumia Abu-Jamal appeal
http://www.philly.com/news/larry-krasner-yale-law-school-mumia-abu-jamal-philadelphia-district-attorney-20190202.html
These startups with Philly links can help you with student loans, before you borrow
http://www.philly.com/business/frank-payfored-charlie-javice-fred-amrein-student-loan-20190204.html
West Virginia Catholics want to ‘follow the truth wherever it leads,’ including to Philadelphia | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/catholic-clergy-abuse-west-virginia-20190204.html
Pitt
Gun for Bill Peduto on Twitter, and he’ll fire back — but should he?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/02/04/gun-laws-pittsburgh-mayor-bill-peduto-twitter/stories/201902010129
Bucking national trend, Port Authority ridership increased for 2018
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/02/04/Port-Authority-riders-ridership-increase-bus-public-transportation-national-trend-2018/stories/201902010027
Progressives gather in Pittsburgh to cement gains
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/02/02/Progressives-gather-Keystone-Progress-Summit-pittsburgh-kamala-harris-2020-election/stories/201902020050
Pirates legend Bob Friend dies at 88
https://triblive.com/sports/pirates/14575560-74/pirates-legend-bob-friend-dies-at-88
State News
Respect state parks: A new reports cites urgent need for improvements
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/04/Respect-state-parks-A-new-reports-cites-urgent-need-for-improvements/stories/201901300068
Route 30 section could be renamed in honor of former fire chief Ed Hutchinson
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14573736-74/route-30-section-could-be-renamed-in-honor-of-former-fire-chief
Reading’s Kyley Scott handled nearly 12,000 nontraffic citations in 2017 — 3 times more than any other district judge in Pa.
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/readings-kyley-scott-handled-nearly-12000-non-traffic-citations-in-2017-thats-3-times-more-than-any-other-district-judge-in-pa
Fair Districts PA to meet next week in Wyomissing
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/fair-districts-pa-to-meet-next-week-in-wyomissing
Transportation
Subsidence closes road in Jessup
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/subsidence-closes-road-in-jessup-1.2441262
Washington
‘A watershed moment’: Trump faces crossroads amid mounting threats on all sides
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/02/03/Watershed-moment-Donald-Trump-faces-crossroads-amid-mounting-threats-State-of-the-Union/stories/201902030171
Sen. Bob Casey invites Pittsburgh TSA officer to State of the Union
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14576218-74/sen-bob-casey-invites-pittsburgh-tsa-officer-to-state-of-the-union