The First Read — December 8, 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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Costello bows out of 6th District primary
The crowded GOP primary in the 6th Congressional District just got one candidate smaller. Read More

Frank endorses Sestak as ‘one of the most valuable members of Congress’
Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mas.) formally endorsed Joe Sestak’s Senate bid Monday morning, becoming the first member of Congress to break with the White House and party leaders in Sestak’s primary challenge to Senator Arlen Specter. Read More
Also on pa2010.com: Frank not swayed by Obama’s ‘calculation’

Manzo testifies in Ramaley trial
The former chief of staff for the House Democratic Caucus testified Monday that former Minority Whip Mike Veon was “very concerned” about the 2004 House race for former state Representative Sean Ramaley. Read More

State House plans table games vote
House lawmakers plan to start voting Tuesday on a bill to legalize table games such as roulette and poker at casinos, create two new resort casino licenses and strengthen oversight of the gambling license process. Read More
More budget news: Budget delay led almost 16,000 state employees to borrow money
Revenue collections still off

Lou Barletta’s Hazleton
In a Voices piece, Republican 11th District candidate Chris Paige criticizes his potential primary oppnent’s immigration policies. Read More
On the blogosphere: Barletta to announce decision by Web on Wednesday
Kanjorski says Republicans ‘want us to lose in Afghanistan’

State’s Democrats face big challenges in 2010
The numbers from the Nov. 3 election probably strike fear in the hearts of many Democrats across the state as they contemplate the midterm congressional elections next year. Read More

LEFTOVERS: A Toomey fundraiser, Knox talks utilities & Trivedi’s a Fellow
Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey was in downtown Philly Monday morning for a fundraiser at The Union League. Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) was supposed to be the headliner, further underscoring Toomey’s now almost universal support among party leaders. Read More

Another lawmaker will try to eliminate Turnpike Commission
For years, critics have attacked the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, claiming there is too much political patronage at work there, with friends of politicians and commissioners getting jobs and legal and bond work. Some critics have, from time to time, called for disbanding the agency that was born in 1940. Well, it’s about to happen again, as state Representative Mike Vereb plans to make a run at the powerful toll road entity. Read More

Casey seeks middle ground on abortion
Senator Bob Casey has emerged as one of two anti-abortion voices in the Senate Democratic caucus. Read More

A heated contest for money in governor’s race
Dec. 31 is the first mile marker for candidates to show how they are doing, money-wise, in what shapes up as next year’s free-for-all governor’s race. Read More

Casinos spend over $1M to lobby in 2009
Pennsylvania casinos have spent more than $1 million this year to lobby lawmakers and state officials as they sought to influence legislation to both expand their business and bring on potential competition. Read More

Potential Mellow foe a no-go
Former Lackawanna County District Attorney Kathleen Granahan Kane has decided against running for the Democratic nomination to the state Senate against Senate Democratic Leader Bob Mellow. Read More

Have a great day!