Wake-Up Call: Friday, August 15, 2008

With the PolitickerPA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Pennsylvania's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

With the PolitickerPA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Pennslyvania's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Pindell Report: Pa. has more competitive congressional races than any other state

With six U.S. House races in play this fall, Pennsylvania has the largest number of competitive congressional races than any other state in the country, a new Politicker.com report shows.

The Pindell Report, which launched today, aims to provide the country's most dynamic and richly reported ranking and analysis of U.S. Senate, U.S. House and gubernatorial races, plus presidential swing states. (PolitickerPA.com, Staff)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/editorpa/1178/pindell-report-pa-has-more-com...

Bradford fundraiser highlights candidate’s support in local governments

CONSHOHOCKEN -- Matt Bradford got a late start in his bid for a state House seat in Montgomery County, replacing Democratic candidate Dwayne Royster on the ballot barely a month ago, after Royster stepped aside for health reasons. (PolitickerPA.com, Dan Hirschorn)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/danh/1227/bradford-fundraiser-highlights-can...

Pa. senator's wife charged in nonprofit theft

PITTSBURGH - The wife of a Western Pennsylvania state senator was charged with stealing thousands of dollars from a nonprofit she headed by inflating her salary and denying retirement benefits to two employees - including her sister - to pad her own pension. (Inquirer, AP)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080815_Pa__senator_s_wife_charged...

Pa. politicans and wannabes flock to Democrat picnic

Small-town Smithmill, smack in the middle of Pennsylvania, is hardly the typical setting for one of the must-attend parties for powerful state Democrats.

Instead of tables with linens and polished silverware, there are lawn chairs and plastic forks and knives. And instead of a catered meal, the culinary offerings are barbecue, baked beans, and vanilla ice cream in a cup. (Inquirer, Mario Cattabiani)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080815_Pa__politicans_and_wannabe...

City paying for Nutter's staff at convention

Mayor Nutter will tap his campaign account to fund his trip to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, while Philadelphia taxpayers will foot the bill for five city employees accompanying him. (Inquirer, Marcia Gelbart)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080815_City_paying_for_Nutter_s_s...

City, white-collar union reach terms

Mayor Nutter's goal in his first contract talks with the city's municipal unions was to play for time. He sought one-year, status-quo deals that would give him the breathing room to come up with big solutions to the pressing problems of fast-growing pension and health-care costs.

So far, he has largely gotten what he wanted. (Inquirer, Patrick Kerkstra)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080815_City__white-collar_union_r...

Concert enters 11th Congressional race to face off with Kanjorski, Barletta

Christopher Concert made it official Thursday – he’s running as a write-in candidate in the 11th Congressional District. (Times Leader, Bill O'Boyle)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Concert_enters_1_ensp_1th_Congressional_...

Hiring motives questioned at Pittston Area

YATESVILLE – Amid questions about their motives and methods, the Pittston Area School Board approved more than 40 staff appointments Thursday.

Over 100 people crowded the high school library for the rescheduled meeting, with some raising questions about how hiring choices were made. (Times Leader, JANINE UNGVARSKY)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Hiring_motives_questioned_at_PA_08-14-20...

Beaver County Dems make pick in Senate race

Beaver County Democrats on Thursday night endorsed county Commissioner Joe Spanik as their choice as nominee in the 47th Senatorial District race to replace retiring Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-Rochester. (Tribune Review, David Brown)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_583047.html

Former state lawmaker takes in three sex offenders

MARIETTA -- A former tough-on-crime Pennsylvania lawmaker has adopted a new and unpopular cause, taking into his home three sex offenders who couldn't find a place to live -- a stand that has angered neighbors, drawn pickets and touched off a zoning dispute. (Tribune Review, AP)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_582970.html

City has $92,000 for wage equity study

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and five City Council members announced Thursday that $92,000 is available to pay for a controversial city wage equity study. (Tribune Review, Jeremy Boren)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_583000.html

Council prez says Mayor Luke 'set up' his outburst

City Council President Doug Shields today defended his scathing comments during a heated meeting, saying he was "set up" by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration. (Tribune Review, Adam Brandolph)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_582872.html

Imagine Pittsburgh Project to mold region's future

Nonprofit, business and government leaders in and around Pittsburgh want "Imagine" to be more than just a John Lennon song.

The Imagine Pittsburgh Project is meant to draw input from residents in 14 western Pennsylvania counties, and others in nearby Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia about how they envision the Pittsburgh region in the future. (Tribune Review, AP)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_582861.html

With the PolitickerPA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Pennsylvania's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.