The First Read — June 15, 2009

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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Schenker says he’d step aside for Meehan in Lt. Gov. race
Republican Lieutanant Governor candidate Rick Schenker said that he would drop out of the GOP primary if gubernatorial candidate Pat Meehan opts for a run for Lt. Gov. instead. Read More

The Knox camp gives us a spending number—Will it matter?
Look, there’s no question that money is going to make Tom Knox a formidable candidate, probably more so than most Democratic insiders give him credit for. And especially if Jack Wagner and Dan Onorato are tearing each other apart in Pittsburgh, Knox could find himself going unscathed much longer than some might expect. The question is, will the money matter enough for Knox to win? Read More

Salex-tax hike could end up in budget
HARRISBURG—Higher sales taxes may well end up in the final mix once Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Ed Rendell figure out, in the coming weeks, how to navigate out of the financial crisis facing all levels of government. Read More

Bush to speak for packed convention in Erie
More than 1,600 people are expected to hear former President George W. Bush’s keynote address at Wednesday’s annual meeting of the Manufacturer and Business Association. Read More

Politicians step guardedly into world of Facebook, Twitter
HARRISBURG—When state Representative Camille “Bud” George was elected in 1974, the Internet as we know it didn’t exist, and there was no such thing as Facebook or Twitter. Read More

Sestak: In his ‘heart of hearts,’ Obama wants a ‘real Democrat’ for Senate
Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) has already said that President Obama can’t stop him from running for Senate. He added a new wrinkle this weekend, hypothesizing that Obama doesn’t really want to stop him anyway. Read More

Pa. municipalities struggle to fund massive pension plans
Aliquippa City Manager Thomas Stoner is caught between a financial rock and a hard place. Read More

Lawmakers, lobbyists swap venues, menus
HARRISBURG—There’s business and then there’s business. Along with the manic swirl of legislative activity that marks the month of June, there’s a burst of fundraising activity by state lawmakers as well. On some days, it seems the two activities feed on each other. Read More

Sestak continues late-quarter fundraising push
Determined to demonstrate political viability in his likely primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter, Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) continues to aggressively raise money in the days leading up to the close of fundraising period. Read More

Cities at odds with NRA
Nine months ago, a group of Pennsylvania mayors gathered in Reading to announce a new strategy in the war against gun violence: They urged municipalities to enact their own gun-control ordinances. Read More

No doldrums for speculation about O’Brien
Oh, these political down times right after an election can be so boring. So we’re biding our time as summer approaches and waiting for Corey O’Brien to make up his mind. Will he or won’t he take on Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11) in the Democratic primary next year? Read More

Rendell’s propaganda machine
Through May and early June, the Rendell administration issued 14 news releases warning of the terrible consequences of enacting the Senate Republicans’ no-tax-hike budget, which cuts spending by $1 billion. Read More

Have a great day!