Good morning politicos, and welcome to the Buzz. Texas Governor Rick Perry is in PA today, so check PoliticsPA later today for more on that event – as well as this week’s Ups & Downs.

Welch Joins the Race: Chester County entrepreneur and former congressional candidate Steve Welch has joined the fray. Welch spoke with PoliticsPA about his campaign – and criticism that he switched from Republican to Democrat in 2006.

Obama Campaign Kickoff: Barack Obama’s campaign opened its Pennsylvania headquarters with a bang last night in Center City Philadelphia, as OFA looks toward the President’s re-election effort in the Keystone State.

PA Delegation for Marcellus: Marcellus shale gas companies have a friend in Pennsylvania. Thirteen, actually. And they are working to help the industry get a even better rap from the Obama White House.

Watch the Video: The Natural Resources Defense Council has a launched a hundred thousand dollar media attack on Congressmen Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne) and Tim Holden (D-Schuylkill) for their affiliation with “polluters.”

Not Guilty: A judge yesterday dismissed charges that PA Sen. Bob Mensch waved a gun at a passing motorist on I-78.

National
Pennsylvania Ave.: Perry In Pennsylvania For Jobs Speech Friday
National Journal: Rep. Schwartz Praised For Her Work In Helping DCCC Reach Recruiting Goal
The Hill: Rep. Dent Introduces Legislation Seeking To Strip Citizenship From People Supporting Terrorism Against U.S.
The Hill: Rep. Altmire Continues Work On Balanced Budget Amendment
NY1: Rep. Shuster Continues Work On Privatization of NE Corridor
Times Leader: Trade Pacts Sail Through Congress With Support of Reps. Barletta and Marino
NPR: Rep. Critz Disappointed In Passage of Free Trade Agreements
The Hill: Rep. Bob Brady Among Those Calling For Cuts In Capitol Hill Budget
Inquirer: Rep. Fattah Helps Septa Secure Federal Funding
Politico: Rep. Altmire Quoted In New Movie
Early Returns: Daily Santorum: Polls still dismal
StateImpactPA: A failed Perry energy initiative

Statewide
Capitolwire: Former congressional candidate Tim Burns announces U.S. Senate bid
Tribune Review: Three Republicans to challenge Casey, Murphy
Post Gazette: New bills aimed at helping state-system universities
Post Gazette: Counties’ shale fees could be delayed
Post Gazette: Corbett cosigns letter asking Obama to nix rule to reduce toxics
Capitol Ideas: Fact checking the Citizen’s Alliance ads on Sens. Vance and Yaw
State House Sound Bites: Links: that fee, the case against new emission rules, and more on Harrisburg bankruptcy
Early Returns: Casey gets Dem challenger
KDKA: Gov. Corbett orders State flags at half staff to honor Kotecki
PA Independent: Utility officials pleased with response to Irene despite some difficulties
StateImpactPA: Drill Bits: drilling leads to steel boom; Allegheny township’s regs delayed
StateImpactPA: Corbett’s impact fee may not generate money until 2013
StateImpactPA: Former DEP official says state lacks in air quality enforcement
StateImpactPA: “In fish-kill mystery, EPA scientist points at Shale drilling”
WTAE: Postal Service to close mail centers, reduce delivery
Observer Reporter: Legislators convene over tax bill

Philly
Inquirer: PhillyPharma: Medicare enrollment begins Saturday
Daily News: Congress passes 3 free trade agreements
Daily News: Our gay founding fathers
Daily News: 19 candidates still owe campaign-finance fines
Daily News: Council tweaks curfew measure
Inquirer: Battle over school voucher plan
Inquirer: Council plan gives preliminary OK to curfew
Philly Clout: New curfew bill gets preliminary approval
PhillyNow: DAILY GRINDER: New ‘Occupy Philly Guilt Number’ is $400,000
PhillyNow: One Week In, Occupy Philly Has First Polite Clash with the City
PhillyNow: Obama’s Philly Campaign Headquarters Open Tonight
PhillyNow: All Hell Breaks Loose on Occupy Philadelphia Facebook Page
PhillyNow: Occupy Philly And Action United Take To Wells Fargo Bank [VIDEO]
FoxPhilly: City Airs ‘Occupy Philly’ Grievances
CBS: Cherry Hill School Board Objects to State-Approved Charter School
Newsworks: City Council could decide Chelten Plaza zoning issue
Newsworks: Education cuts aren’t just for poor kids in Philly
Inquirer: BucksInq: Deomcrats: Bucks government needs transparency
Inquirer: Chesco venture capitalist enters GOP fray for US Senate
Inquirer: $40M in sheriff’s coffers turned over to the city, state
Daily News: Wall Street protests planned across Pennsylvania
Inquirer: PhillyDeals: Lawyers rush to Harrisburg bankruptcy
Daily News: Bill Clinton to stump for Nutter
Daily News: Judge overturns state Sen. Mensch’s conviction
Philly Clout: Thursday’s DN: Hookers n’ Mummers
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia City Council wants to delay drilling near Delaware river

Philly Burbs
Mercury: Lawmakers unimpressed by Corbett school plan
Mercury: North Coventry supervisors approve medical office complex with conditions
Mercury: Billingual voting ballots ordered in 25 states including Pa.
Mercury: ‘Spin’ game already begun on Corbett’s education agenda
Courier Times: Feds: Churchville hospice operator bilked Medicare out of $14 million
Courier Times: They all sounded fiscally conservative
County Times: Board just says no
Burlington County Times: Riverton passes pay-to-play legislation
Delco Daily Times: Haverford approves Quarry Center plans
Public Spirit & Willow Grove Guide: Upper Moreland discusses zoning change
North Penn Life: East Norriton billboard battle heats up
Advance: State Rep. Steve Santarsiero to host Senior Fair in Newtown
Inquirer: ‘Occupy’ in the ‘burbs: Orderly, larger than expected
Delco Daily Times: Concerns aired over Marcellus Shale effects (With Video)
Ambler Gazette: Election 2011: District Judge Patricia Zaffarano facing off with Michael Patson in primary

NEPA
Daily Review: Corbett tours Athens
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre man set to run for U.S. Senate
Times Leader: GOP’s Burns eyes U.S. Senate
Citizens Voice: County council candidates make their pitches
Standard Speaker: Local school officials doubt voucher plan
Standard Speaker: How local congressmen voted on free trade
Times News: Schyulkill County’s future

North by Northwest
Sun Gazette: Area leaders skeptical of proposed reforms
Sun Gazette: Tioga County Republicans have politics for breakfast
Go Erie: Campaign ’11: Steve Welch announces Senate candidacy

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Lehigh County poll workers have new bilingual requirements
Express Times: New plans for Easton High School
Morning Call: Downtown arena could cost $60 million
Reading Eagle: Zoning board gives go-ahead to Boys and Girls Club

Southwest
Tribune Democrat: County Commish candidate lashes out at Jack Murtha
Indiana Gazette: Commissioners agree to loan $250,000 to Gorell
Daily American: Burns says he will run for U.S Senate

Opinion
Inquirer: City’s still dodging property tax problem
Inquirer: The president’s chosen weapon
Daily News: Exaggeration springs eternal
Mercury: Media Bias 101
Delco Daily Times: Join education forum to engage legislators
Tribune Review: Calling for a mulligan
Post Gazette: Too big to fail: Jobless Americans still need a hand from Congress
Daily American: Socialism in the USA
Altoona Mirror: Electoral vote not priority
Times-Tribune: Corbett’s plan fair approach
Standard Speaker: Put transportation on front burner
Sun Gazette: Corbett gas fee plan deserves strong look
Courier Express: Private schools should not get public-tax vouchers

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: PLBC is the second Prohibition
Above Average Jane: A look at Richard Haaz
Third and State: Congress works on trade while American families suffer
Jon Geeting: Regulations don’t hurt job creation
Two Political Junkies: Occupy Pittsburgh