Polls send mixed signals about the party balance in PA, the Governor’s race heats up, and PA-13 has its first candidate. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Don’t forget to check back later for the Ups & Downs.

Quinnipiac Poll: Clinton Strongest PA Prez Contender, Followed by Christie: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would be a strong favorite if the 2016 presidential election were held today. She leads every prospective Republican candidate according to the latest poll from Quinnipiac. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also looks strong.

Quinnipiac Poll: Voters Disapprove Obama and Obamacare: The President and his biggest legislative achievement received poor marks in the latest Quinnipiac poll. Voters disapprove Barack Obama’s job performance 51% to 44%, and the Affordable Care Act 53% to 37%.

Casey Finance Director Joins McCord Campaign: Sen. Bob Casey’s longtime Finance Director Mike Butler will join the campaign team of Rob McCord. Since he is term limited as Pa. Treasurer, it’s a clear sign that McCord is gearing up for a bid for Governor.

Preacher to Launch Guv Campaign at Philly LGBT Center: Democrat Max Myers technically has been running for Governor for 18 months now. But when he officially kicks off his campaign next week, the protestant minister from Cumberland County will do so at a the state’s most prominent LGBT community center.

Arkoosh Files for Congress in Schwartz Seat: We have our first candidate in PA-13. Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, a Democratic health care activist and Allyson Schwartz insider, has filed a statement of candidacy for the Congresswoman’s seat.

Politically Uncorrected: The Real GOP Problem: In this week’s edition of ‘Politically Uncorrected,’ Madonna and Young examine the state of the Republican party today, as well as the impact of “pack journalism” on public perception.

Statewide
AP: Gov. Corbett, PA Treasurer ask Fed. Court to dismiss NCAA suit
AP: Lancaster Co. posts second-largest PA growth rate in census
AP: PSU Trustees: Governor, President shouldn’t be voting members
AP: Auditor General looking into payments to charter schools
AP: Two defendants arraigned in turnpike “pay to play” scheme
AP: Judge rejects award for court costs for libertarians
State House Sound Bites: Carlisle looks to tax incentive for redevelopment
State House Sound Bites: Transforming Health: PA Preferred
PA Independent: PA lawmaker: let my hedgehogs go
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: Bob Barker writes to PA House to oppose bill
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: Union boss crashes Capitol rally for liquor privatization (Video)
StateImpactPA: Federal Legislation Aims to Close “Fracking Loopholes”
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: Turnpike probe results in alleged ‘Immaculate Corruption’
Capitolwire: Charges announced against Mellow, ex-Turnpike CEO Brimmeier in bid-rigging scheme

Philadelphia
CBS: Philadelphia’s population has increased by .6 percent since 2010 Census
WHYY Newsworks: How Philly’s proposed $3.75 billion budget almost became an afterthought
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA fares to go up as rollout of new payment system continues
WHYY Newsworks: PA legislators reckon with school funding disparities
WHYY Newsworks: Nonprofit gives $3.4 million to expand two Philadelphia charters
Inquirer: Nutter makes his opening property-tax pitch
Inquirer: Yelling and chanting, unions drown out Nutter budget talk
Inquirer: SEPTA riders face big changes starting July 1
Inquirer: Brady stands up for friend facing turnpike theft charges
Inquirer: Glouco corrections officers file suit on inmate plan
Inquirer: Chesco magistrate sues over ticket-fixing suspension
Inquirer: Penn State trustee defends Freeh report, rips critics
Commonwealth Confidential: Open records office sees big increase in appeals
Commonwealth Confidential: Corbett: Not so fast, Congresswoman…
Heard in the Hall: Re-live the circus: Experience Nutter’s budget address and union protest as it occurred in real time
Philly Clout: Lessons learned from budgets past
Philly Clout: Nutter administration releases budget proposal details

SEPA
Mercury: Perk Valley School District hires firm to help it save on utility cost
Mercury: More than 1,000 sign petition to save oldest part of Boyertown Area High School
Daily Times: Marcus Hook mayor investigated by Delaware County D.A.’s office
Daily Times: Colwyn council denies mayor’s bid to call for state police help
Daily Times: Harrah’s Philadelphia fined by Gaming Control Board
Daily Times: Corbett asks fed court to dismiss NCAA suit over Penn State fines
Daily Times: Philly archdiocese will allow girls to play CYO football
Daily Times: Governor: Education, not booze, should be state’s priority
Perkasie News Herald: Former Sellersville mayor, council member Howard Eckert passes away
Springfield Sun: Springfield Township board approves restaurant license for Giant in Flourtown
Souderton Independent: Franconia to vote on small games of chance
Yardley News: Bright Idea: New 56,000 square foot greenhouse in Lower Makefield partners with McCaffrey’s Market to freshen up local food supply chain
Daily Local News: City Council continues search for next council member

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Former Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Brimmeier is arraigned in Harrisburg
Post-Gazette: Charges filed against 8 in Pa. turnpike probe
Post-Gazette: Corbett’s Pennsylvania poll standing continues downslide
Post-Gazette: NAACP chief to Pittsburgh youth: Principled people hold the power
Tribune Review: Worthington faces lawsuit by ex-chief
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania formally adopts Common Core standards
Tribune Review: Without new nuclear plants, Westinghouse makes do with smaller jobs

Southwest
AP: Census figures: Philly’s population keeps growing
AP: Fundraising was dogged, turnpike grand jury told
AP: Pa. gov asks court to dismiss NCAA PSU suit
AP: 40 Pa. counties had more deaths than births
AP: Pa. auditor general says charter payments improper
AP: Corbett, MCCord ask court to hold on NCAA suit

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Auditor general: Bear Creek Charter wrongly collected $106,000 from state
Citizens Voice: Census estimates show minimal losses in Luzerne County
Citizens Voice: W-B Area faces $1.7M budget deficit
Times-Tribune: Mellow faces new, extensive state charges
Times-Tribune: Report: Mellow pulls strings for PNC Bank
Times-Tribune: Federal case likely not relevant to Mellow’s new woes
Times-Tribune: Lawmakers resent image Mellow mess leaves behind
Times-Tribune: Penn State eyes taking trustee votes from governor
Times-Tribune: Malfunctioning well in Wyoming County now capped
Times-Tribune: County OKs agreement to house parole violators at prison
The Times Leader: Bryant out indefinitely after spraining left ankle
The Times Leader: Nuangola authority pick controversial
The Times Leader: Local leaders see change in name
The Times Leader: Pa. Senate panel hears about broader school safety concerns
The Times Leader: Kane: Turnpike scheme steamrolled taxpayers
The Times Leader: LCCC wants its security officers to carry guns
The Times Leader: USA Today focuses on county PD
The Times Leader: Former Rice Township fire chief charged with theft
The Times Leader: Ex-Sen. Mellow among those charged in turnpike scandal
The Times Leader: County Council to develop work force standards
The Times Leader: Hughestown accepts solicitor’s resignation
News Item: Shamokin bills county for $1,220 for Clausi’s requests
News Item: Records of health care costs should be public, experts say
News Item: County Board of Elections reversed decision to close precincts
Wayne Independent: AARP Driver Safety releases the 2013 Wayne County Class Schedule
Wayne Independent: Teachers set date for strike
Wayne Independent: Confusion arises over registration of vehicles
Wayne Independent: Work fading at Tobyhanna
Wayne Independent: Peifer to speak at area meeting
Standard Speaker: Pastor: New pope sets example for immigrants
Standard Speaker: Former fire department official turns himself in
Standard Speaker: Officials will sign fire pact Friday
Standard Speaker: Hazle Twp. officials hold off on refinancing decision
Standard Speaker: Former fire department official turns himself in
Pocono Record: Candidates locked-in for Pocono races
Pocono Record: Bill to ditch school property tax introduced in Pa. Senate
Pocono Record: Poconos’ pop. fizzles: Census shows fewer residents

Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Ave: Toomey to CPAC: Still haunted by 2012 presidential campaign
Morning Call: Lehigh County has state’s fastest growth rate
Morning Call: Easton City Council votes to sell Alpha Building, move City Hall down the street
Morning Call: Former Pennsylvania Turnpike executives, state senator charged in pay-to-play scheme
WFMZ: Pa. AG says Allentown charter school reimbursements
WFMZ: Pa. judges sue to prevent mandatory retirement at 70
WFMZ: Lawmakers proposal bill to allow early voting
WFMZ: Grant to help Reading Fire Department upgrade safety gear
WFMZ: State designation may bring new business to Berks County
WFMZ: Longtime Bucks Co. GOP leader dies at 83
WFMZ: State rep. proposes allowing early voting in Pa.
WFMZ: Lehigh County Commissioners deny Lehigh County Authority chance to bid on Allentown water and sewer system
WFMZ: Governor Pawlowski? Poll says he could beat Gov. Corbett
Reading Eagle: Council wants to clear air over merger decision
Reading Eagle: Prothonotary candidate touts management technology background
Reading Eagle: Ex-mayor says fiscal know-how makes him good Reading School Board fit
Reading Eagle: Crowded fields for May 21 primary in Berks, Reading

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pennsylvania politicians on the wrong side of the law: A recent history
Harrisburg Patriot News: Anti-illegal gun violence group calls for community cooperation in wake of latest Harrisburg shootings
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County may hire consultant to examine financial future
Harrisburg Patriot News: PA Supreme Court overturns law allowing abolition of county jury commissioner posts
Harrisburg Patriot News: Two more Turnpike ‘pay-to-play’ defendants free on bail
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County refinances, saves $1.7M
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: State Sen. Smucker breaks with governor over Medicaid expansion
York Daily Record: State Board of Education adopts Common Core Standards
York Daily Record: Transition York PA seeks local solutions to global issues
York Dispatch: County renews contract for posting tax notices
York Dispatch: Attorney running for district magistrate
York Dispatch: Six run for two openings in Springettsbury Twp.

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Candidates prepare for primary election in May
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Muncy Township amends budget
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Corbett’s second try at Lottery contract will be revealing
Campaign ’13 Blog: County Exec Grossman to officially kick off re-election bid Friday
Campaign ’13 Blog: Polls show Corbett has tough path to re-election

Opinions
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: No excuse for lavish gifts
York Daily Record: Mike Argento: Pennsylvania Turnpike corruption alleged? I’m shocked – shocked!
Observer-Reporter: Congress should embrace reality
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Reader’s Forum 3-14 | Cut superfluous channels, keep KDKA
Mercury: Gift ban for state officials would send a message
Daily Times: Campbell Family represents the good of Chester

Blogs
Keystone Politics: Cut SEPTA fares, don’t raise them
Keystone Politics: Steve Stofka demolishes rightwing lies about western Pa. Amtrak ridership
Keystone Politics: Pa.’s big metros keep growing
Keystone Politics: License plate reader tech could unlock low cost road pricing
Keystone Politics: GOP war on budgeting comes to Harrisburg
Keystone Politics: “Booze on every block” would mean fewer nuisance bars, not more
Keystone Politics: Lehigh tea people choose idiotic moralism over good water prices