The First Read — September 23, 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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Cawley moves toward Lt. Gov. run
Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley took a step toward running for Lieutenant Governor Tuesday, when he announced formation of an exploratory committee to seek the Republican nomination for the office. Read More

Specter keeps piling on the insider support
The Democratic insiders continue to line up behind Arlen Specter. Almost five months after the longtime Senator switched parties, more than 200 party leaders and elected officials have joined Specter’s advisory committee, the campaign announced Tuesday. Read More

Sestak wants repeal of DOMA
Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) pushed for repealing the Defense of Marriage Act Tuesday, arguing in a letter to the Speaker of the House that it is time for the chamber to vote on legislation he co-sponsored that would repeal the 1996 law. Read More

Opposition surfaces to elements of state budget plan
Work continued Tuesday on drafting the many pieces of legislation needed for passage of the 2009-10 state budget. Meanwhile, opposition to aspects of the $27.9 billion budget deal struck Friday is popping up, as it often does after an agreement on a budget framework and before the legislation is written. Read More

Allegheny residents won’t see property tax increase in 2011
Allegheny County residents would see no property tax increase next year under a plan from County Executive Dan Onorato designed to stabilize the county budget by 2011. Read More

Innovation creates jobs, government spending destroys them
In a Voice piece, Republican 6th District Congressional candidate Steven Welch lays out suggestions for job creation. Read More

Answering a question about Pike’s biography
Democrat Doug Pike was indeed president and chairman of the board of a Long Island hospital. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Catching up

State tax on arts to be ‘user free,’ senator says
A plan to extend Pennsylvania’s sales tax to the performing arts, museums, historical sites, zoos and parks is partly designed to shift the taxpayers’ share of financing those activities onto their patrons, an architect of the proposal said Tuesday. Read More

Pew study looks at other cities for Philly budget solutions
Rescued by Harrisburg from having to make deep budget cuts, the Nutter administration must now decide not whether, but by how much it will push for further reductions by slashing labor costs with its four municipal unions. Read More

Candidates make final push for 24th District special election
As state Rep. Bob Mensch introduces himself to voters throughout the 24th Senatorial District, he hears the same question: “Aren’t you early for November?” Read More

Specter, Sestak have different takes on Obama’s state-level politics play
Not surprisingly, Senator Arlen Specter and Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) have offered up different opinions about President Obama’s involvement in state races. Read More

Pittsburgh ready for G-20 security
From a single room crammed with computers, telephones and flat-screen TVs, 40 public safety agencies will orchestrate the movements of thousands of security personnel during the Group of 20 economic summit. Read More

Rendell cuts food intake in half, and the weight melts away
We all know Rendell has been on a diet, but have you seen our governor-cum-sports-pundit lately? The man has dropped so much weight, he could play doubles tennis inside his own suit. Read More

Have a great day!