Budget
Budget weighs current debt vs. future benefits
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/budget-weighs-current-debt-vs-future-benefits/
Editorial: Wolf & GOP suddenly making nice in Harrisburg
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-wolf-gop-suddenly-making-nice-in-harrisburg/article_f23138b2-2aea-11e9-b0d1-ef89c56e702b.html
Fixing the economy? Wolf shooting for higher wages, incentives to keep graduates home
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/opinion/editorials/fixing-the-economy-wolf-shooting-for-higher-wages-incentives-to/article_380c8369-fee8-5a16-9f09-3a0bd6901839.html
Legislative Issues
Ellis quiet in face of outcry
http://www.butlereagle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20190209/NEWS01/702099930
Editorial | Severance tax overdue, and blight removal help would be welcome
https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/editorial-severance-tax-overdue-and-blight-removal-help-would-be/article_2fc46f72-2bd2-11e9-97b3-db48606eddac.html
Killion supports Wolf Administration pipeline actions
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/killion-supports-wolf-administration-pipeline-actions/article_901b0ca6-ab7d-58d3-9119-55a417c32397.html
Sara Innamorato: It’s time for automatic voter registration in Pa.
https://triblive.com/opinion/featuredcommentary/14598009-74/sara-innamorato-its-time-for-automatic-voter-registration-in-pa
No vigorish for pro sports betting
https://www.dailyamerican.com/news/opinion/editorials/no-vigorish-for-pro-sports-betting/article_1d19f146-b6b1-57ba-89ec-f95d66e834af.html
Education
Pennsylvania’s school funding fight exits spotlight
https://hosted.ap.org/thetimes-tribune/article/29abce97094c4039a8e44407ea146a74/pennsylvanias-school-funding-fight-exits-spotlight
Editorial: Penn Hills grand jury report, recovery plan short on teaching lessons
https://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/14595103-74/editorial-penn-hills-grand-jury-report-recovery-plan-short-on-teaching-lessons
Making schools safer: Across region, officials using various strategies
https://www.tribdem.com/news/making-schools-safer-across-region-officials-using-various-strategies/article_230dff04-2cf0-11e9-b560-cf36ca9becdf.html
Kathleen Duffy Bruder: School safety requires trained eye for students’ lives
https://triblive.com/opinion/featuredcommentary/14596680-74/kathleen-duffy-bruder-school-safety-requires-trained-eye-for-students-lives
Justice/Law Enforcement
Ban all gifts to justices
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/ban-all-gifts-to-justices-1.2443552
Governor Wolf looks to get fees for state police – again
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/governor-wolf-looks-to-get-fees-for-state-police-/article_ad9aff18-2bc0-11e9-a334-5f435ed73c71.html
Wolf revamps plan for local cost-sharing of state police coverage
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/wolf-revamps-plan-for-local-cost-sharing-of-state-police/article_f965e1ed-e358-5253-a4fc-d3ffed7b44fe.html
How much would Centre County municipalities pay for state police coverage under Wolf’s plan?
https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/article225613950.html#storylink=cpy
Coalition Corner | Data collection, analysis making an impact
https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/coalition-corner-data-collection-analysis-making-an-impact/article_9b938206-2bd2-11e9-ba6c-934b3e6fecc0.html
Hunting
Changes to Pa. hunting laws could buck tradition, but attract more to the sport
https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/article225340525.html#storylink=cpy
Hunters demand answers on CWD
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/02/hunters-demand-answers-on-cwd/
Oh, deer: More talk important
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/oh-deer-more-talk-important/
Marijuana
When recreational weed will bring the lieutenant governor to the Lehigh Valley
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/02/when-recreational-weed-will-bring-the-lieutenant-governor-to-the-lehigh-valley.html
Pennsylvania turns over a new leaf with medical marijuana
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pennsylvania-turns-over-a-new-leaf-with-medical-marijuana-1.2443763
Fresh out of prison, 20-year-old gains hope for new life with medical marijuana
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/fresh-out-of-prison-20-year-old-gains-hope-for-new-life-with-medical-marijuana-1.2443775
Healthcare
Politics, money and fears in Pennsylvania medical malpractice fight
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-medical-malpractice-court-change-fight-20190204-story.html#nt=oft12aH-3la1
Medical errors rise as tort reform limits liability
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/medical-errors-rise-as-tort-reform-limits-liability-1.2443546
AG’s lawsuit against UPMC may not have clear path to resolution
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/02/10/Attorney-General-Josh-Shapiro-UPMC-Highmark-consent-decrees-lawsuit-charitable-obligations/stories/201902100127
Our view: Shapiro takes patients’ side on health care
https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20190210/our-view-shapiro-takes-patients-side-on-health-care
Pat Howard: Attorney general, UPMC playing hardball
https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20190210/pat-howard-attorney-general-upmc-playing-hardball#
Editorial: UPMC, Highmark show charities are big business
https://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/14595774-74/editorial-upmc-highmark-show-charities-are-big-business
Regional
The sweetest of deals: NRA and others got free rent to bring conventions to Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/02/10/NRA-VFW-Furries-David-L-Lawrence-Convention-Center-VisitPittsburgh-Sports-Exhibition-Authority/stories/201902100053
Longtime Greene County district attorney announces retirement
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/longtime-greene-county-district-attorney-announces-retirement/article_cd350344-2bd1-11e9-82f5-9775e7c2fda9.html
Miscellaneous
Letters: Paterno’s Saudi Arabia connection; state of emergency was warranted
https://www.centredaily.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article225957275.html
Waste of time? Market decline, glut of unusable products threaten recycling programs
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/732980/waste-of-time-market-decline-glut-of-unusable-products-threaten-recycling-programs
Recycling market driving area surge in garbage rates
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14598191-74/recycling-market-driving-area-surge-in-garbage-rates
Readers React: New payday lending rules hurt consumers
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/letters/mc-rea-miller-payday-lending-rules-20190208-story.html#nt=oft11aH-13gp1
$15 minimum wage will help N.J.’s poorest, but may not be enough to scrape by in 2024
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/02/15-minimum-wage-will-help-njs-poorest-but-may-not-be-enough-to-scrape-by-in-2024.html
Gun-seizure laws grow in popularity since Parkland shooting
https://hosted.ap.org/thetimes-tribune/article/3d5722abc06245b4b931933f253e3743/more-states-adopting-gun-seizure-laws-after-parkland
A year after Parkland: Progress but controversy still rages
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/a-year-after-parkland-progress-but-controversy-still-rages/article_d092500d-aa92-5a9c-894e-1779e3e4aaf4.html
John Roberts is trying to save the Republican Party from itself | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/02/john-roberts-is-trying-to-save-the-republican-party-from-itself-opinion.html
Abortion
How the Supreme Court could kill ‘Roe v. Wade’ | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/02/how-the-supreme-court-could-kill-roe-v-wade-opinion.html
Limited right; basic decency: Abortion should stay legal, safe and rare
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/02/10/Limited-right-basic-decency-Abortion-should-stay-legal-safe-and-rare/stories/201902100052
Federal
Trump’s State of Delusion speech | Mark S. Singel
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/02/trumps-state-of-delusion-speech-mark-s-singel.html
Likely deal would give Trump fraction of desired wall money
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/02/09/Likely-deal-border-wall-mexico-Trump-democrats-negotiations-money/stories/201902090043
Politics
The Latest: Minn. Sen. Amy Klobuchar set to join 2020 race
https://www.dailyamerican.com/news/politics/the-latest-minn-sen-amy-klobuchar-set-to-join-race/article_2a861c0b-7ee8-59a9-9c78-68c3fa019ca0.html
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar expected to join 2020 Dem race
https://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/14598838-74/minnesota-sen-amy-klobuchar-expected-to-join-2020-dem-race
Booker urges activists, leaders to heed social justice call
https://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/14594685-74/booker-urges-activists-leaders-to-heed-social-justice-call
Elizabeth Warren makes presidential bid official with call for change
https://www.poconorecord.com/zz/news/20190209/elizabeth-warren-makes-presidential-bid-official-with-call-for-change