Wednesday lightning round

Two hours got sucked out of my day unexpectedly for corporate mumbo jumbo. Sigh. So no time for careful reading and summary today...

• Pennsylvania Republicans undertake soul-searching, or at least the state committee gathers for damage-assessment and planning.
  
  
• Chesco state house race to undergo hand recount of paper ballots.
  
  
• Does Philadelphia win or lose if Perzel is ousted as State Speaker? Genuinely hard to say.
  
  
• Ben Waxman has a DN opinion piece about the possibility of a Democratic defection to keep Perzel in charge.
  
  
• The School District has picked its personnel cuts: 175 total positions including 81 actual people let go. A job bank has been set up to help displaced workers find new positions.
  
  
• This year's New Years fireworks will be sponsored by a casino applicant. Mayor Street sees no conflict.
  
  
• City may stop charging victims for finding their stolen cars.
  
  
• The Philadelphia Weekly is providing coverage of the news strike negotiations in a blog form, updated frequently. They also have a longer look at the issues, as well as an overview of the constellation of unions and other players involved.
  
  
• AAJane gives notes from a Joe Sestak appearance on a call-in show.
  
  
• An Inquirer editorial recommends that casino licenses require funding a casino services district to look after neighborhood concerns.
  
  
• Marc Stier is enthused about the Great Expectations project mentioned here previously.
  
  
• Ray Murphy notes that Lynn Abraham is implementing Seth Williams' ideas, which she previously criticized...
  
  
• Penn Praxis will have public forums on riverfront development -- see the details for a chance to put in your two cents!