Sen. Scott Wagner announces Pa. governor candidacy

Republican state Sen. Scott Wagner announces his candidacy for GOP nomination in the Pennsylvania governor race, Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Wagner made his first of six appearances around the state at his trash hauling company, Penn Waste's truck terminal in East Manchester Township, York County. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

Republican 2018 guv candidate

Scott Wagner

keynoted an event for natural gas advocates in Harrisburg on Tuesday, offering an ...

ah

... novel explanation for the scientific phenomenon known as climate change:

"I haven't been in a science class in a long time, but the earth moves closer to the sun every year-you know the rotation of the earth," Wagner, a York County state senator, said, according to StateImpact Pennsylvania. "We're moving closer to the sun."

He added, according to StateImpact's Katie Meyer, that, "We have more people. You know, humans have warm bodies. So is heat coming off? Things are changing, but I think we are, as a society, doing the best we can."

Wagner's remarks came before a panel assembled by county commissioners from the Northern Tier, who want Harrisburg to pay closer attention to the interests of the state's farthest-flung counties (those big, boxy ones along the top where elk outnumber people).

From StateImpact:

"Wagner noted repeatedly that this wasn't a campaign event, though that didn't stop a few speakers from remarking that it would be nice to have a governor who would reduce regulations on the gas industry.

"Amid his calls to get pipelines flowing, Wagner did take the opportunity to lay out some policy proposals-and try out some catchphrases.

"'There's a huge difference between an active environmentalist and an environmental activist,'" he said, using a line he reiterated multiple times. 'I love the outdoors, I grew up around the outdoors, I love fishing-I am in favor of drilling on state lands.'"

*Gov. Tom Wolf's re-election campaign, through the state Democratic Party, declined a request for comment for this piece.

The debate over natural gas - and how/whether to tax it - remains a central one in Wolf's 2017-18 budget proposal.

The incumbent Democrat has again proposed a severance tax on drillers, raising $293 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

In the meantime, the state continues to impose an impact fee on drillers, whose proceeds benefit counties and municipalities that host drilling. The state is also expected to collect about $80 million in royalties from drilling in state forests.

The rest of the day's news starts now.

In western Pennsylvania, Westinghouse has filed for bankruptcy protection, The Tribune-Review reports.

Prosecutors are urging lawmakers to pass mandatory minimum sentencing laws - even though the Corrections Department opposes them, The Post-Gazette reports.

Legislation bringing Pa. into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act is moving through the General Assembly, City & State Pa. reports.

PhillyMag has the "cutest major drug bust" story you will read about all week.

Philly taxpayers will foot the bill for the investigation leading to Philly DA Seth Williams' indictment, CBS-Philly reports.

Here's your #Harrisburg Instagram of the Day:

NewsWorks/WHYY-FM brings us the none-too-happy tale of the suburban Philly school district that's opted to defend its transgender policy.

The Morning Call on the Confederate flag that's become the subject of discussion in Saucon Valley.

Immigration activists rallied at the state Capitol on Tuesday. PennLive's Wallace McKelvey braved the rain to shoot a bit of video on it:

Ex-Tribune-Review politics reporter Salena Zito, now of the N.Y. Post just got her own politics show on Sirius-XM, PoliticsPa reports.

Merging colleges are looking to cut costs and boost graduation rates, Stateline.org reports.

President Donald Trump has finally broken his silent treatment with fellow New Yorker Chuck Schumer, offering a "Hello, Chuck," Politico reports.

Roll Call explains why Paul Ryan is key to the survival of GOP moderates on Capitol Hill.

WolfWatch

Gov. Tom Wolf heads to Philly this Wednesday morning for a 10 a.m. stop at the Pennovation Center on Ferry Ave. where he'll host a "discussion on the importance of entrepreneurship."

At 3 p.m., Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf host a Women's History Month Event at the Governor's Mansion that's intended to honor veterans.

You Say It's Your Birthday Dept.

Best wishes go out this morning to Harrisburg attorney Adam Klein and to Elizabethtown College poli.sci guy Kyle C. Kopko. Congratulations, gents. Enjoy the day.

Heavy Rotation.

Here's an old favorite by Aussie guitar rockers The Church that popped up on the way to work this morning: It's "No Explanation."

Wednesday's Gratuitous Hockey Link.

Carolina got one back on Detroit on Tuesday night, winning 4-1 at home at the PNC Bank Center and keeping their late-season race to the Eastern Conference Wild Card alive. The Canes have 82 points with eight games to play. They're four points out of the last Wild Card slot behind Boston, who have 86 points.

And now you're up to date. See you all back here in a bit.