State House Speaker Sam Smith has asked a federal judge to rule out using 2001 state House and Senate district maps for future elections, reports the Associated Press:

Revisions to the state's legislative map that reflect population shifts from the 2010 census are in limbo for now after a new map was rejected by the state Supreme Court last week. A spokesman for Speaker Sam Smith said the federal lawsuit was filed to resolve the ensuing "chaos" the state court's decision creates for candidates seeking to run in special elections to fill six House vacancies.

Smith, R-Jefferson, sued Secretary of State Carol Aichele in Philadelphia federal court, arguing that population changes since 2001 mean that the existing map violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as well as terms of the state constitution.

House Republican Mark Mustio says he’ll run for Senate in the seat being vacated by GOP state Sen. John Pippy, of Allegheny County, reports the Tribune-Review.  You may remember that Pippy’s recent retirement notice has added to the controversy surrounding legislative redistricting, and the state Supreme Court remand of a plan.  From the PA Independent:

The announcement came one day after the Supreme Court hearing on the new maps and added fuel to the Democrat’s fire regarding which seat should be removed from Allegheny County.

Costa said retirements should be a factor when deciding which district to move, and tradition has shown that retiring members’ districts are moved before those held by incumbents.

“Clearly, with Sen. Pippy’s announcement, it would (be) preferable to move District 37 rather than District 45,” Costa said. “This adjustment would allow the commission to meet its original goals and restore the integrity of the reapportionment process.”

The Tribune-Review reports former House Speaker Bill DeWeese could take the stand in his public corruption trial as early as Wednesday.  The presiding judge says the entire trial could come to a close by Thursday.

Morning bloggage: Did a Muppets movie engage in class warfare and paint oil drillers in a hostile light? StateImpactPA has the story on the press conference.