The LuLac Edition #1937, February 9th, 2012

BREAKING NEWS

PENNSYLVANIA YOUNG DEMOCRATS ENDORSE MURPHY

State Young Democrats Stand Firm with the Former Prosecutor and Iraq War Veteran

On behalf of over half-a-million young Democrats in the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Young Democrats have overwhelmingly voted to endorse Patrick Murphy as their choice for Attorney General of Pennsylvania.
“Patrick Murphy has distinguished himself as a unique leader capable of executing the duties of Pennsylvania Attorney General” said PAYD president W. Anthony Youngblood, “due to his extraordinary record of honorable achievement in both law and public service we believe Patrick Murphy is the candidate best suited to deliver a win for Democrats this November.”
In response to the PAYD endorsement, Murphy said “It’s very simple. The youth vote will determine the outcome of the 2012 elections here in Pennsylvania.”
Murphy went on to say that “without a strong youth vote, we have no chance of stopping the Republican extremists from continuing their destructive agenda in Harrisburg.”
“That’s why I’m so honored to earn the support of the Pennsylvania Young Democrats. Their passion and dedication has helped galvanize young voters who increasingly understand what’s at stake in these elections, thanks to the hard work of PAYD.”
The Pennsylvania Young Democrats is the official youth-branch of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

CORRECTION

In MEDIA MATTERS under the Beatledd Hour on WRKC FM, we told you Davey Jones would be the guest this week. That is incorrect. Davy Jones is not on the show until FEB. 24. Dennis Tufano, the voice of The Buckinghams, is on this Friday. Joe Nardone Sr. on FEB. 17.



Spring Blogfest 2012 poster.


Davey Jones and Marsha Brady.


Attorney Bill Vinsko, candidate for Congress in the 11th Congressional District.


Attorney General candidate Patrick Murphy.


Our "1967" logo.


"Como Phobia" logo.

SPRING BLOGFEST

We’re having a Spring Blogfest coming up at the end of March. Same place in Pittston, Rooney’s on South Main Street. March 30th, starting at 6PM. Your favorite bloggers, candidates, posters and usual bunch of flunkies will be in attendance. Same rules: no speeches, buy your own drinks, (unless you’re last name is Romney) and do wear clothes (lest your naked body be set on fire by a Santorum fan).

BACK TO THE FUTURE (2001)

Federal Judge R. Barclay Surrick has ruled that Pennsylvania’s 2001 legislative district maps should be used in this year’s elections, a setback for Republicans who had tried to get the court to block any use of those maps. In a 24-page opinion, the Judge says the election cycle has already started. He said it's too late to wait for the state's Legislative Reapportionment Commission to formulate a new map and guide it through the process. This is good news for incumbent legislators who going to run on the 2001 boundaries. In effect, they got a two year reprieve until the redistricting people could go back to the drawing board.

GOP ROW OFFICERS SET

These are the people that the statewide GOP is endorsing as their candidates for the 2012 Commonwealth Row offices. You’ll be getting to know all of them very soon as the Pennsylvania primary draws near. These offices are generally regarded as the high minor leagues in Pennsylvania politics. You’ll see some candidates vie for a statewide race, get exposure and then come back a few cycles later with better name recognition….at least among those into politics.
2012 Republican team: Steve Welch for United States Senate, Dave Freed for Attorney General, John Maher for Auditor General and Diana Irey Vaughan for Treasurer.

SOME GOOD BUDGET NEWS

To be fair regarding Governor Tom Corbett’s budget, there is some good news. Critics may say the Guv might be trying to balance his budget on the backs of the poor but not only are there zero tax increases in Governor Corbett’s budget, but in harmony with his pledge to eliminate wasteful spending, Governor Corbett’s budget contains zero WAMS or earmarks. Additionally, Governor Corbett’s budget reduces overall government spending for the second year in a row.

MURPHY NOT PLEASED THOUGH

Iraq war veteran and former prosecutor Patrick Murphy issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget address:
“With this budget, Gov. Corbett has failed Pennsylvania families. Again, he is balancing the budget on the backs of working people, who are going to feel the brunt of increased property taxes and higher tuition rates. At the same time, he is protecting large tax breaks and loopholes for corporations that aren’t paying their fair share,” Murphy said. “I’m particularly concerned by what this budget does – or does not do – for the safety and security of Pennsylvania. We can no longer afford to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the connection between struggling public schools and crime. The Governor either doesn’t get it or doesn't care but when you fail to adequately fund public education, that’s a crime bill. It’s bad for Pennsylvania children and jeopardizes the safety of our communities.”
“As we sift through the details, I’m afraid this budget will fail to promote the safety and economic security of middle-class families. Instead of mortgaging the future, as Gov. Corbett has proposed, we should look at some of the ideas proposed by the CLEAR Coalition, which represents 1.1 million working families in Pennsylvania. They laid out a plan that could save the Commonwealth more than $2.3 billion through tax reforms and increases in government efficiency, including $60 million by cutting waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid,” Murphy said. “At the Federal level, I’ve closed loopholes that lead to Medicare fraud and enacted a law to eliminate billions in wasteful spending every year. When I’m Attorney General, Pennsylvania will have the most aggressive Medicaid Fraud Control Section in the country and I will advocate for a state False Claims Act, which will encourage private citizens to report fraud and abuse, saving the Commonwealth millions. These initiatives have worked in other states and because they generate significant revenue, they have paid for themselves.”
“Budget’s are moral documents. They demonstrate priorities. Unfortunately, Republicans in Harrisburg have placed corporate tax breaks ahead of the safety and economic security of working families, who will be hit hard by this budget,” Murphy added.

VINSKO'S UNION SUPPORT

Bill Vinsko receives support from throughout the 11th Congressional District with endorsements from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council AND Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVACR Technicians Local 520
Bill Vinsko, Democratic Candidate for Congress, has again been endorsed for Congress in the 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. The Vinsko for Congress Campaign announces that the Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVACR Technicians Local 520, of Dauphin, Cumberland, Northampton and Columbia Counties, and headquartered in Harrisburg, PA notified Bill Vinsko of its endorsement this past Friday, February 3, 2012. Today, Northeastern Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council unanimously endorsed Bill Vinsko based on his vision for the people of this District. The Council consists of the following organizations: Asbestos Workers; Bricklayers; Boilermakers; Carpenters; Cement Masons; Elevator Constructors; IBEW; Ironworkers; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; Laborers; Heavy Highway Laborers; Operating Engineers; Pipefitters; and Roofers. From Bill Vinsko:
“I am honored to be endorsed by such a respected group of hard-woking individuals and organizations. Pennsylvania needs jobs, and Congress needs to get things done. When I am elected to Congress, I will be making decisions based on what affects the people of the 11th Congressional District first. Pennsylvanians have a great work ethic, and they deserve to have jobs and opportunities here at home. The people come first, and with the support of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council and Local 520, we are even closer to having a representative of and for the people of the entire District!”

MEDIA MATTERS

PCN

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) will provide LIVE coverage of the PA Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings starting Monday, February 13. This will be the first week of hearings that make up the Commonwealth’s annual fiscal process.
Throughout the weeks ahead, PCN will continue to offer extensive coverage of the 2012-2013 budget process which will also include hearings from the PA House Appropriations Committee.
The schedule for this first week of hearings is as follows. Please note the airtimes are subject to change. Viewers are urged to check the schedule at www.pcntv.com for replay times.
Monday, February 13
PA Senate Appropriations Committee
9:30 a.m. (LIVE) – Governor’s Budget Office/ Executive Offices/ Office of the Governor
1:00 p.m. (LIVE) – Independent Fiscal Office
3:00 p.m. (LIVE) – Treasury Department
Tuesday, February 14
PA Senate Appropriations Committee
9:30 a.m. (LIVE) – Department of General Services
1:00 p.m. (LIVE) – Public Utility Commission
3:00 p.m. (LIVE) – Department of Insurance
Wednesday, February 15
PA Senate Appropriations Committee
9:30 a.m. (LIVE) – Office of the Auditor General
1:00 p.m. (LIVE) – Office of Attorney General
3:00 p.m. (LIVE) – Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Thursday, February 16
PA Senate Appropriations Committee
9:30 a.m. (LIVE) – Liquor Control Board
1:00 p.m. (LIVE) – State Police/Homeland Security
3:00 p.m. (LIVE) – Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.

MASS FOR JOE ON TV

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) will air same-day taped coverage of a memorial Mass to celebrate the life of former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno. The memorial, which will be held at the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick in downtown Harrisburg, is scheduled to air statewide on PCN beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15.
Leading the celebration of Paterno’s life will be the Bishop of Harrisburg, the Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden. Paterno’s son, G. Scott Paterno, is expected to make remarks on behalf of the family. At the Mass, Penn State graduate, Caroline Jarrod, will lead the Trinity High School concert choir during their performance.
Local Penn State University alums and community members have organized the memorial.
Joe Paterno coached the Penn State football team from 1966 until his firing in November of last year in the aftermath of the child sex abuse charges against former Penn State football defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky. The 85-year-old former coach passed away in late January of this year; just months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

BEATLEED HOUR

Tune in this Friday at 7PM for the Beatleed Hour on WRKC FM, 88.5. Host Ed Raineri welcomes former Monkee Davey Jones.


SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

This week Gioia Bruno founding member of Expose will be Shadoe Steele’s guest on Saturday Night Live at the Oldies. Saturday Night Live can be heard from 7pm to midnight on WILK AM & FM with ABC News at the top of the hour.

STORM POLITICS

This week’s guest on Tiffany Cloud’s Storm Politics is Rick Arnold (R) Candidate for State Rep 119th District only on Storm Politics, WYLN TV. Storm Politics can be seen on WYLN TV 35 Th 930p, Sat 5p, Sun 11a, Mon 830p, T 930p.

ECTV

ECTV Live will welcome Dave Williams back before the cameras during the week of February 13th. Williams is the founder and Director of the Pennsylvania Farm Country Radio Network and he'll join host Tom Munley to talk about all the free activities and events to be offered at the upcoming Dairy Days Celebration in Honesdale. Judy Munley will also welcome radio personality Rusty Fender as his co-host for the week. Rusty will be filling in for ECTV Live Producer and co-host David DeCosmo who is recovering from surgery for skin cancer. DeCosmo tells Lu Lack he's feeling fine and hope to rejoin the program very soon.
On another note. Electric City Television is now broadcasting a new edition of DeCosmo's "People, Places, and Things" program featuring an interview with a survivor of the Andrea Doria sinking in 1956. That disaster, coupled with a program on area connections to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 are getting a lot of attention in the wake of the recent sinking of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy last month.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Weekend On Sunday Magazine, Feb 12th Brian Hughes speaks with Nina Dei Tos, Development Director for the Domestic Violence Service Center in Wilkes Barre, who discusses domestic violence and a fundraiser for the center coming up at the end of March. This Week In Harrisburg examines Senate Democrat reaction to Governor Corbett’s 2012-13 budget proposal, including remarks from State Senators John Blake & John Yudichak, and Republican House Speaker Sam Smith weighs in on final House passage of Marcellus Shale legislation. And Brian speaks with Michael Horvath from Ne Pa. Alliance who discusses their “Made In America” workshop for businesses who want to sell their products in China, coming up Wed. Feb 29th at Ne. Pa. Alliance on Oak St in Pittston.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5:30am on JR 93.7 & 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:30am on Magic 93, and 9:30am on WARM 590 AM.



TOO MUCH SUPER BOWL PARTYING

Country singer Randy Travis has apologized after being arrested on a charge of public intoxication outside a North Texas church.
Denton County sheriff's spokesman Tom Reedy says police in the town of Sanger arrested Travis early Monday after spotting a vehicle parked in front of a church and finding an open bottle of wine and Travis smelling of alcohol. Travis apologized for the incident.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT



NO EXCUSES NOW

Christmas, New Year’s and the Super Bowl are all out of the way now. Any great feasting you might have done on any of these events is now in the rear view mirror. If you are looking to make a life change, now is the time to do it. Chiropractor, Dr. Joe Leonardi is the author of the life changing book,A Life Beyond Weight Loss. He is available to appear on any talk radio, internet podcast or television outlet. He has appeared on Guest: Internet Radio: Cathie’s Talking, BlogTalk Radio. Topic, Dump The Fads, Focus On Fitness. TV -35′s Storm Politics with Tiffany Cloud, WILK’s The Sue Henry Show, Magic 93′s Frankie In The Morning, WBRE’s PA Live, SSPTV’s News 13, Public Television WVIA’s State of Pennsylvania and Call the Doctor; Entercom’s Outlook on Northeast PA with Shadoe Steele, Citadel Broadcasting’s Sunday Magazine with Brian Hughes, Lisa Davis’ Your Health Radio; Hank Garner’s Podcast, Dr. Robert Su’s Carbohydrates Can Kill Podcast; and the one and only Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb podcast.
Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website www.betterlifeseminars.com.


1967

The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution (presidential succession and disability) is ratified…..American researchers discover the Madrid Codices by Leonardo da Vinci in the National Library of Spain……..Respect is recorded by Aretha Franklin (to be released in April)…..in Pennsylvania the Shafer administration pledges to continue work on the State Parks program started by the Scranton Administration. Governor Shafer advises that by the end of the decade (or his term) state park projects should be completed……and in Wilkes Barre City, Councilman Bob Brader who is head of the Finance Committee says that new taxes will not be needed to transition into the City Manager Form of Government that is set to be adopted on January 1st, 1968 and 45 years ago this week the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” by the Supremes.



COMO PHOBIA (Be Not Afraid)