Jay Costa

Gov. Ed Rendell demanded Monday that Senate Republicans return for a controversial lame-duck session to address his health care legislation, arguing better health care remains an important political issue for lawmakers who want to please their constituents.

But Senate Republicans are balking at the request and challenge his assertion that political momentum is behind his proposal to expand health care access to nearly 200,000 Pennsylvanians.

The latest health care showdown, the first since Election Day, could determine whether last weeks' results have any effect on what has been one of the governor's top legislative priorities.

The governor pushed his plan at a press conference with embattled House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) in Philadelphia and later joined state Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny County) and Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) on a conference call with a reporters.

Two weeks ago the Senate Republican Committee convinced Bob Regola to step aside because polling showed him losing badly in his race and he was replaced by Kim Ward.  It appears Republicans are not the only ones who pick their candidates with polling information.

Today the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee will be picking their candidate for PA-47 to replace Sean Ramaley.  Last week Lawrence County supported Jason Petrella and Beaver County has supported County Commissioner Joe Spanik.  With each candidate getting the support of one county the decision was sent to the State Democratic Executive Committee. 

Early word was the Executive Committee was going to strongly support Spanik who has long been active in the party.  Petrella seems to have an advantage though heading into the vote thanks to polling that shows him running stronger in a general election.  According to one source Democratic Senate Leader Bob Mellow is working the phones hard to make sure Petrella is the candidate because of his stronger polling numbers.  While both candidates polled ahead of Republican Elder Vogel, but according to a source Petrella was stronger.  We have had reports that Mellow has been joined by other Senators on the phone, but have yet been unable to confirm.

The Pittsburgh City Council today approved a campaign finance reform ordinance that some believe will be a precursor to a statewide version later.

"I believe there are times -- and I believe this is a time -- when our vote symbolizes more than an issue, when our vote symbolizes the future direction of our city," Councilman Ricky Burgess told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Pittsburgh City Council will vote today on a campaign finance ordinance that could set the stage for statewide reform.

"The adoption of an ordinance by the city of Pittsburgh will advance the ball with respect to a statewide campaign finance effort," state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Alleghany County) told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The proposed ordinance would bar city office candidates from receiving more than $2,000 per election for individuals and more than $5,000 from political committees. The caps would double if a candidate spent $250,000 of his or her own money and big donors would have to disclose their relationship with city officials.