The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review had a fun story today about big-time pols from Pittsburgh (and at least one from Philly) who are getting face-value tickets from the Steelers for this Sunday's Super Bowl in Florida.

Of course the paper names names: Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Allegheny County Executive (and likely Democratic gubernatorial candidate) Dan Onorato. Oh yes, and Gov. Rendell.

All three men told the paper that they accepted the tickets, but plan to reimburse the team - NOT using taxpayer money, of course.

Although politicians' perks such as Super Bowl tickets should come as little surprise to those who follow politics, it nonetheless grates the nerves a bit in these tough economic times. What Steelers fan wouldn't give their left-anything for a face-value ticket, just days before the big game?

As my colleague Amy Worden reported in an early post, Rendell even delayed next week's budget address by a day to accommodate post-Super Bowl hangovers and a parade in Pittsburgh in case the Steelers win. 

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With just days to go before the Super Bowl, the governors of Pennsylvania and Arizona finally consummated their obligatory public wager and are using it as a tourism promotional pitch.

Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell and Arizona’s new chief executive Jan Brewer each have put up a three-night vacation package at their respective Super Bowl team cities.

If the Cardinals win, Rendell also has to provide a trip on the Duquesne Incline, dinner for two at Le Mont (his administration describes the restaurant as one of Pittsburgh’s finest) and two seats for either a Pirates, Steelers or Penguins game.

A Steelers victory means Brewer has to come up with three nights at the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Phoenix, two rounds of golf, and two seats for a Cardinals, Suns, Diamondbacks or Coyotes game.

If Rendell wins, he plans to give the package away through an essay writing contests to the person who best expounds on this thought: Why is Pittsburgh an attractive place to visit?

Chuck Ardo, Rendell’s spokesman, called it a good bet “because we believe that Pittsburgh is as attractive to the people of Arizona as Arizona is to the people of Pittsburgh.”

Even in the winter?

“If you like ice fishing,” Ardo said. “There is damn little ice fishing in Arizona.”

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The Super Bowl is just four days away but the governors of Arizona and Pennsylvania still haven’t consummated their perfunctory public wager.

Chuck Ardo, spokesman for Pa. Gov. Rendell, said the time difference between the two states, plus the fact that Arizona has a spankin’ new chief exec, has made shaking hands on the bet tough this year. (Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is transitioning into office to replace former Gov. Janet Napolitano, who is heading the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.)

But Ardo insists a bet will be struck soon.

Rendell, for his part, is proposing a wager that would go in a different direction from his standard cheese steaks, pretzels and other Philly fare. Each gov, under his idea, would put up an all expense paid trip to their respective Super Bowl team cities, said Ardo.

If the Steelers prevail, Rendell would hold a contest of some sort (details to come) and give the Arizona junket away.
It’s a good bet, Ardo said, “because we believe that Pittsburgh is as attractive to people of Arizona as Arizona is to people of Pittsburgh.”

Even in the winter?

“If you like ice fishing,” Ardo said. “There is damn little ice fishing in Arizona.” 

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Figuring Pennsylvania football fans would rather celebrate a Steelers victory then listen to grim details of the state budget crisis, Gov. Rendell announced today he will postpone his annual budget address by one day.

The annual gubernatorial budget addresses are historically held on the first Tuesday in February - this year that's Feb. 3. But Rendell said he will deliver his 2009-2010 budget speech to the General Assembly in the House chambers in the Capitol at noon on Feb. 4 instead.

When asked if Rendell was anticipating a Steelers victory over the Cardinals in Superbowl XL and a subsequent ticker-tape parade through Pittsburgh, his spokesman, Chuck Ardo said of course - and added the governor wants to give fans a chance to return home from Tampa.

Rendell delayed his budget address by a day in 2005 when the Eagles went to the Super Bowl. But alas, there was no parade down Broad Street. The New England Patriots prevailed that year.

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Sen. Specter touched on a wide range of topics - from the economic stimulus package and presidential nominations to the need for moderate Republicans and why he isn't a Democrat-  in a speech today at the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg.

Specter, who is gearing up to run for a sixth term in office, told the audience of lobbyists, journalists and elected officials, that he's up for the challenge of restoring some "red" to what has become a "dark blue state" in 2010 - both in his own Senate race and the gubernatorial race.

"I'm ready to bring back the people who supported Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama in the presidential election," said Specter. "I look forward to two tough campaigns."

On the economic stimulus: "I've urged Sen. Inouye  [of Hawaii, chairman of the Appropriations Committee] to have some hearings, some analysis," he said. "I don't like voting on legislation with no bill. We did that with the $700 billion [Wall Street] bailout and it turned out not to be so smart."

On whether he will vote to confirm Obama's pick for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner when the Senate takes up his nomination later today:

"I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it's a close call," said Specter. "I'm not happy about a guy who doesn't pay his taxes until he's nominated as Secretary of Treasury."

On why he doesn't change parties: "I feel comfortable in the Republican Party... I believe there is room for moderates (in the Senate Republican caucus)... who present a little different point of view."

He added: "You know Gov. Rendell said he'd support me if I became a Democrat and help me raise money. I told him if I was a Democrat I wouldn't have to raise money."

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Sometimes, what is left unsaid is more important than what is said.

Consider the case of Republican Pat Toomey, the former Lehigh Valley congressman who heads the anti-tax Club for Growth. He issued a statement Friday afternoon saying that he is weighing a candidacy for governor next year.

"I have had several preliminary discussions with supporters of mine regarding a potential run for governor in 2010," Toomey said. "Given the state of Pennsylvania's economy and the disastrous state budgets we face, there is a need for major changes in Harrisburg. It is still very early in my exploration of a possible run, but it is something I will consider."

No reference to next year's U.S. Senate race, which is good news for incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.). Toomey almost knocked off Specter in the 2004 GOP primary, and he remains the highest-profile conservative to carry a potential challenge from the right to the moderate incumbent. Anti-abortion activist Peg Luksik has said she is considering challenging Specter but, although she has a grassroots constituency, she lacks Toomey's national fundraising ability and movement contacts.

Republicans say that there is little appetite to take on Specter, even among those who dislike him, because the party has 41 senators, meaning that only one defection to Democrats on an important vote or confirmation is required to end a filibuster, cutting off debate. (Under Senate rules, there is unlimited debate unless a vote is taken to stop it, a procedure that is called a cloture motion.)

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State House Rep. Mike Gerber is being recognized again for his prodigious fundraising abilities. The Montgomery County lawmaker has been named chairman of the House Democratic Campaign Committee - the political arm of the caucus, whose mission it is to elect Democrats to the lower chamber.

That news comes on the heels of Gerber's appointment to the board of the national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee which helps Democrats get elected to the U.S. Congress. Gerber also will serve as the Pennsylvania committee's liason to the national campaign committee.

In a letter to House Democratic caucus members, Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne) highlighted Gerber’s fundraising skills and leadership role in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where the Democrats picked up a net of ten seats over the last two cycles. 

Gerber, now in his third term, is the first Democrat to represent his Montgomery County seat in modern history. He also was re-elected by fellow caucus members as chairman of the Southeast regional delegation.

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Senate Republicans today unveiled a 10-bill package of “government reform measures” they say would improve public access to records, increase accountability and go a long way in restoring the public’s faith in Harrisburg.

The measures range from the simple (posting all government salaries online) to the complex (retooling the state’s procurement process).

“You will hear the theme of government accountability from our caucus all session long,’’ said Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware) at a Capitol news conference this morning

Although some were tweaked a bit, all the bills were introduced last session. Nine of them passed the Senate with widespread bipartisan support only to die in the House.

Pileggi, pointing to a new House leadership team, said he was hopeful that the package would fare better in the lower chamber this two-year session that began earlier this month.

“There is an opportunity there for a fresh look,” he said.

House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne) was reviewing the bills and did not have immediate comment this morning, his spokesman said.

Here is a brief description of each bill in the package:

• SB 101, sponsored by Sen. Lloyd Smucker of Lancaster would increase penalties for violating the Sunshine Law.

• SB 102, sponsored by Sen. Jane Orie of Allegheny would reform the procurement of consulting contracts.

• SB 103, sponsored by Sen. John Eichelberger of Blair would ban state government bonuses.

• SB 104, sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer of Lebanon would restrict the use of state-owned vehicles.

• SB 105, sponsored by Sen. Pat Browne of Lehigh would create a searchable online budget database.

• SB 106, sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward of Westmoreland would eliminate lame duck legislative sessions.

• SB 107, sponsored by Pileggi would require government salary information to be posted online.

• SB 108, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman of Centre would allow the governor to appoint his or her second in command in the event there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor. Now, the senate president pro tempore gets the job upon a vacancy.

• SB 109, sponsored by Folmer would require state-paid advertising to show a disclaimer saying it was funded with tax dollars.

• SB 110, sponsored by Smucker would increase the information contained on logs showing the use of state planes.

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Three-time gubernatorial candidate Peg Luksik says she's considering challenging Sen. Arlen Specter in the Republican primary next year.

Luksik told Capitol.wire.com that she used to believe the biggest challenges came on the state level, now feels the most compelling philosophical fight is in Washington.

"The dynamics have changed," said Luksik, who has not sought office in a decade. "I really think we are fighting about the fate of the whole nation, and you have to go to Washington to take part in that debate and affect those issues.”

Luksik, who was raised in Norristown, said she and Specter part ways on abortion and the role of government. Luksik, running on an anti-abortion rights platform, nearly knocked out pro-choice candidate Barbara Hafer in the 1990 GOP primary. She later ran as a third party candidate in 1994 and 1998.

Another potential Republican challenger Specter may face is former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey who nearly upset him in the 2004 primary.

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