Pennsylvania

Apparently brotherly love doesn't extend across the Delaware River to New Jersey. Pennsylvania's Governor Ed Rendell and U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, normally political opponents, have formed an alliance to threaten New Jersey with retaliation for reneging on a gentleman's agreement about dredging the waterway that separates the two states. Both pols are up for re-election this year.

Pennsylvania pols are failing to quiet a voter revolt that won't go away. Lawmakers for a second time voted to repeal a stealth raise that awarded some of them a 34% pay increase before they were constitutionally allowed to receive it. Lawmakers took the money in the form of unvouchered "expense" reimbursements. Judges and some executive-branch employees also received raises.

In an act of self-preservation, the Pennsylvania State Senate last night voted unanimously to repeal its latest pay package.

Where is a pay raise not a salary increase? In Pennsylvania, where last month the State Legislature voted to give itself more money. This week the checks started rolling in, and voters are fuming that lawmakers and Governor Ed Rendell did an end-run around the state constitution.

Republican Pat Browne won a special election in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley to fill a vacant State Senate seat. He earned 53% of the vote. His competitor, Democrat Jennifer Mann, will remain in the State House.

How much mud has to fly in a political campaign to inspire an elected Democrat to publicly defend the Republican candidate? Look no further than Pennsylvania's 16th senate district, which holds a special election tomorrow to fill the vacancy left by freshman U.S. representative Charlie Dent. The district covers eastern Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, which includes Allentown.

Fate didn't allow the Steelers and Eagles to meet in this year's Super Bowl, but Pennsylvanians can hope for a Pittsburgh-Philly matchup in next year's election for governor.