The First Read — October 29, 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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Specter’s numbers continue to dip; still leads Sestak and Toomey
Senator Arlen Specter’s standing with voters is still falling ahead of next year’s reelection fight, with a historical low of only 23 percent of voters saying he deserves another term, according to a new poll. Read More

Corbett still winning guv primary, but most undecided
State Attorney General Tom Corbett still holds a significant lead over Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) in next year’s GOP primary for governor, but more than half of Republican voters are undecided, according to a new poll. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Two-thirds undecided in Dem primary

Fixing Pennsylvania’s broken budget process
In a Voices piece, Scranton mayor and gubernatorial candidate Chris Doherty talks about the need for longer-term budgeting in Harrisburg. Read More

The In-Specter chats with Arlen
On health care reform, Specter agreed that at some point, Democrats may need to “fight fire with fire” by pursuing passage through the controversial process of reconciliation—but emphasized that this would only happen as a “last, last, last resort,” and is by far not his preference. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Anniversary wishes from Toomey, Dems say a fake candidate would beat him

FBI helping with probe of highway projects
An official with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission confirmed Wednesday that federal investigators are assisting with an investigation into irregularities reported on several highway construction projects. Read More

New twist on reducing size of legislature surfaces
Knowing state lawmakers are loathe to eliminate their own seats, a Republican state senator on Wednesday proposed a slow-motion plan to reduce the size of the Legislature each decade. Read More

Onorato says he wouldn’t let state opt-out of public option
Trying to firmly position himself in favor of a public option for health care reform, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said Wednesday that, if elected governor, he would veto any state legislation making Pennsylvania opt-out of such a provision. Read More

Carney aide will manage Lentz campaign
A former campaign aide to Joe Sestak and Chris Carney who has recently served as Carney’s legislative spokesman has been hired to run state Representative Bryan Lentz’s (D-Delaware) bid for the 7th District House race. Read More

Harrisburg candidate Thompson says questions about nonprofit group are off limits
Harrisburg mayoral candidate Linda Thompson said she is no longer willing to discuss her nonprofit, Loveship Inc., until after the Nov. 3 election. Read More

Cunningham helping fellow Dems
Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham has tapped his bulging campaign coffers to help fellow Democrats, and local Republicans are none too pleased. Read More

Attorneys argue Conahan, Ciavarella liable for actions on bench
Attorneys appeared before a federal judge Wednesday to argue whether former judges Michael Conahan, Mark Ciavarella and certain other defendants are immune from liability in a lawsuit that alleges juveniles were improperly incarcerated. Read More

Wagner keeps hitting Rendell on contract reform
State Auditor General Jack Wagner continues to assail the Rendell administration for not adopting recommended changes in the state procurement process, threatening to go the legislature if the governor does not make the contact bidding process more competitive. Read More

Philly cell phone crackdown starts Sunday
Texters and hand-held cell phoners may experience an unpleasant surprise next week if they continue using their gizmos while driving, cycling, or even skateboarding. Read More

Rendell and Patterson wager on World Series
Hours before the Phillies and the Yankees faced off in the first game of the World Series, Gov. Ed Rendell announced a friendly wager with New York Gov. David Paterson. Read More

Supreme Court election crucial to redistricting
The winner could influence the once-a-decade remapping of congressional and legislative districts after the 2010 U.S. Census. Read More

Have a great day!