The trip was noted in a November revision to Corbett’s annual statement of financial interests with the State Ethics Commission. It shows that John Moran, Jr. spent $1,422 on air travel and hotel accommodations for the governor and First Lady Susan Corbett for a long weekend in Rhode Island. Moran also paid $901 to fly the governor on his private plane and helicopter to events in Pittsburgh and Williamsport in September 2011.

…In an interview in his office, the ordinarily staid Casey (D., Pa.) told The Inquirer that he was “haunted” by the images and reports of children killed in their school, and teachers slain trying to protect them. He said his wife confronted him as he reassessed the issue over the weekend.

PENNSYLVANIA INDEPENDENT: There was a time when the Harrisburg incinerator was a successful waste-to-energy plant. Then, with the stock market rising and every American looking like a sharp investor, politicians hooked up with Wall Street in a series of exotic financial deals designed to finance plant upgrades.

Rendell said that when he learned that Greenhill won the competitively bid contract to serve as financial adviser on Corbett’s privatization ventures, he told the firm to count him out…

NEW YORK TIMES: House Republican leaders struggled on Tuesday night to rally their colleagues around a backup measure to ease the sting of a looming fiscal crisis by allowing tax rates to rise only on incomes over $1 million. The plan would leave in place across-the-board spending cuts to military and domestic programs that Republicans have been warning could have dire consequences, especially to national defense.

“The National Rifle Association of America is made up of 4 million moms and dads, sons and daughters, and we were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news of the horrific and senseless murders in Newtown,” the organization said in a statement. “The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.”…

“The key to our advance has been captured ammunition. The more we can capture, the more we can advance,” said Abu Saleh, deputy commander of the opposition’s Dar al Shaba Brigade…

HARRISBURG PATRIOT-NEWS Op Ed: One of the stranger urban legends to find a home among editorialists in Pennsylvania is the bizarre assertion that Gov. Tom Corbett is personally suing a reporter for submitting a Right-to-Know request for the governor’s emails and schedule….

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE: …The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania welcomed the report as evidence that hospitals‘ “commitment to high-quality patient care is paying off.”

NEW YORK MAGAZINE: At 7:58 p.m. on Saturday evening, gun control’s newest advocate took to Twitter to call for stricter firearm legislation. “Nice words from POTUS on shooting tragedy,” wrote News Corp. boss Rupert Murdoch, “but how about some bold leadership action?” Around the same time at Fox News, one of Roger Ailes’s deputies was sending a very different message.

HUFFINGTON POST: Advocates of what’s come to be called the “talking filibuster” are closing in on the majority needed to reform the rules, according to a whip count compiled by The Huffington Post, based on interviews with Democratic senators and with reform advocates who have spoken with senators.

In interviews, lawmakers have said they see a major budget deal as necessary not only to control the nation’s soaring debt but also to show voters, financial markets and the world that Congress can function. “Our mandate is to do something,” said outgoing Rep. Mark Critz (D-Pa.). “We have to show the American people that we can work together and get something done.”

Labor in Michigan adopted a proactive strategy earlier this year. Leaders promoted passage of a referendum that would have made union protectionism part of Michigan’s constitution. Gov. Snyder, a Republican moderate, warned Labor of the consequences of their attempt to lock in unionism.