The First Read — June 11, 2009

Good Morning!

Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

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A Dem committeeman backs Sestak
If Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) wants to build party support for his primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter, he’ll need more guys like Chris Bowers. Read More

Poll on card-check could be misleading
Liberals are in an uproar about the recent poll stating that Pennsylvanians oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as “card-check.” They say questions in the Susquehanna poll, which showed more than half of the state’s voters against the bill, were misleading. Read More

City Council’s relationship with mayor could jeopardize approval of plan
City Council’s rocky relationship with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl could jeopardize chances of approving a five-year financial recovery plan by a June 30 deadline imposed by Pittsburgh’s state financial overseers. Read More

Parents, Pennsylvania lawmakers weigh in on proposed sex ed changes
Health textbooks used in Pittsburgh Public Schools classrooms never come home, because there aren’t enough copies to go around. Read More

Huge boro tax increase unavoidable
Every year since 2005-06, Gettysburg Borough Council has launched its fall budget talks, already committed to holding the line on taxes. This year, the board may not have a choice. Read More

Is Corbett-Meehan a GOP dream ticket? Some say yes
A small group of western Pennsylvania Republicans think they may have found their GOP dream ticket for governor. One problem: neither Attorney General Tom Corbett nor former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan appears interested in what’s being proposed. Read More

Representative Mike Vereb to host third annual ‘Family Fun Day’ Friday
COLLEGEVILLE — Representative Mike Vereb’s (R-Montgomery) Third Annual Family Fun Day will take place on June 12, at the Collegeville Pitstop. Read More

Specter’s shift: Just noise
Democrats are rejoicing that Senator Arlen Specter is praising Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor as proof of their wisdom in persuading him to defect from the Republican Party. Specter has snookered them once again. In his five terms, he has voted for 10 Supreme Court nominees, opposing only Robert Bork. Read More

Pa. budget unlikely to meet deadline, local lawmakers say
Republican or Democrat, local lawmakers seem to agree on at least one point when it comes to this year’s state budget: It probably won’t be finished on time. Read More

Boyertown council discusses use of railyard
The future of the railyard property in the center of the borough was the highlight of discussion at the most recent committee meeting. Read More

Have a great day!