The First Read — July 28, 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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WEEKEND LEFTOVERS: Sestak gets guff over e-mails, Knox goes green and Callahan jumps in
Several items slipped by us at pa2010.com Central over the weekend. Read More

Introducing pa2010.com’s newest blogger!
I’m proud to introduce Beth Hegedus, our newest blogger at pa2010.com. Beth, a Conshohocken native whose family has deep roots in area politics, is an energetic political networker in every sense of the word. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Welcome to Suburban Snapshot

Rendell says temporary budget might be necessary
HARRISBURG — Senate Republicans “are living in fantasy land” by refusing to consider new state revenue, and it might be time within a few days to consider a temporary spending measure such as a stopgap budget, Governor Ed Rendell said Monday. Read More

Castor withdraws state Senate bid
Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. isn’t running for state Senate this year, after all. In an e-mailed news release this afternoon, Castor announced he was no longer in contention for the Republican nomination in a special election to replace departing Senator Rob Wonderling (R, Montgomery), who is stepping down to head the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Read More

Smaller employers exempted from suits
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that businesses with fewer than four employees may engage in sex discrimination without legal repercussions because of the way the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act is written. Read More

Demonstrators prepare to protest in city during G-20 summit
Organizers say it’s too early to tell how many local and international demonstrators will descend on Pittsburgh for September’s G-20 summit, but they agree most protesters will arrive early, angry and stay that way. Read More

The Lawyer Pays A Lawyer
Sen. Arlen Specter’s latest campaign finance report, disclosed last week, contained some red ink: He owes the Philadelphia law firm Blank Rome another $42,000. Read More

Have a great day!