McCord airs his first TV ads, Corbett to launch his own and we follow the State Treasurer on the campaign trail. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

On The Campaign Trail With McCord: Rob McCord had visits in the three cities of the Lehigh Valley today, meeting with stakeholders and local business owners.

PA-Gov: McGinty Airs Second TV Ad This Week: The Democratic gubernatorial candidate focuses on the middle class in her latest commercial.

PA-Gov: McCord to Launch First TV Campaign Ad (UPDATED with VIDEO): The McCord campaign is spending over $200,000 on its first TV ad buy.

PA-Gov: Corbett to Hit Airwaves Starting Friday: The Governor’s campaign has bought ad time on local broadcast and cable TV stations.

PA-Lt. Gov: Critz Picks Up Allegheny County Support: The Democratic candidate and former Congresswoman won the endorsement of several western PA politicos.

PA-9: National Right To Life Supports Shuster: The organization says he will continue to support pro-life policies in Congress.

PA-9: Shuster Pokes Fun At Halvorson In New Ad (Video): The Congressman calls out the challenger for signing up for farm subsidies while publicly bashing them.

PA-3: LaVallee Picks Up Support of Bricklayers and Sheet Metal Workers: The Democratic congressional candidate received two local labor endorsements in the last week.

PA-12: Cambria County Dems Back McClelland: Erin McClelland earned the endorsement of her opponent’s home county.

Amendment Co-opts Women’s Health Bill: A bill that was originally passed in the state House to protect domestic violence victims has drastically changed due to tinkering in the Senate.

Legislative Elections Update:

SD-50: Michael T. Muha, Democratic candidate and nominee for the 50th Senatorial District of Pennsylvania, has announced his opposition to S.B. 1275 pending in the PA State Senate sponsored by Senators Tommy Tomlinson (R‐6) and Andrew Dinniman (D‐19) that would allow universities of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to secede from the PASSHE to become “state‐related” universities, similar to the Pennsylvania State University or completely private universities.

HD-55: Small businessman Brian Panichelle announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for State Representative in the 55th District. The seat has been represented by Democrat Rep. Joe Petrarca since 1995.

HD-190: ACTION UNITED PAC endorsed Democratic challenger Wanda Logan in the 190th House District race, over incumbent Democrat Vanessa Brown of Philadelphia County.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Lawmaker calls for ceiling on variable rates for electricity customers
State House Sound Bites: Senator calls for software, agency says he might try pushing law
PA Independent: Kane asks DA to review liquor board ethics lapses
StateImpactPA: Chevron pizza controversy puts southwest Pa. coal town in the spotlight
StateImpactPA: Analysis finds Pa.’s effective tax rate on shale gas wells among lowest
StateImpactPA: Environmental activists block access to Lycoming County drilling site

Philadelphia
Philly.com: Attorney general at fund-raiser with Phila. law enforcement colleagues
Inquirer: Kane hires Sprague to review ‘sting’ probe – and perhaps sue
Inquirer: Corbett: Delco town no longer “distressed”
Inquirer: House leaders signal support for ethics inquiry in sting case
Commonwealth Confidential: Bucks lawmaker floats new liquor sales plan
City Paper: With a harsh winter causing more building collapses, can the city keep people safe?

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania American Water plans $10 million in water tank rehab/building projects
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County struggles to define, combat human trafficking
The Intelligencer: Montco ended 2013 with $1.6M operating surplus
Burlington County Times: Proposed Chesterfield school budget up $.5 million
Delco Daily Times: How write-in candidate Scott Wagner stunned the GOP, likely won special election in key state Senate race
Daily Local News: Coatesville’s superintendent hopefuls have baggage

Pittsburgh
Urban Media Today: Obama pledges to address gender pay gap
KDKA: Pa. Lawmakers Consider Bills To Require Electricity Companies To Give Rate Hike Notices
Early Returns: McCord hits the airwaves
Early Returns: Doyle, Fitz for Critz
Early Returns: CD12 endorsement watch
Early Returns: McGinty woos middle class
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh law officials exploring racial disparity in juvenile justice
Post-Gazette: Pa. bill gives school districts flexibility with snow days
Tribune Review: Point Park University, union organizers clash over adjunct faculty members
Tribune Review: State report: Shale impact fee puts Pa. at the bottom for gas drilling taxes

Southwest
AP: Gift ban urged over report of lawmakers given cash
Observer-Reporter: County must pay $705,960 retroactively to probation office employees
Altoona Mirror: Municipal authorities unable to reach agreement on lease
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Background checks in crosshairs

NEPA
The Times Leader: State Secretary of Aging addresses elder abuse
The Times Leader: County airport pension contribution sticking point
The Times Leader: Luzerne County gaming grants to be announced in May
Times-Tribune: Toomey seeks investigation of crash that killed Scranton woman
Times-Tribune: Scranton Redevelopment Authority gets new member; council backs several mayoral appointments
Times-Tribune: Marcellus Shale Coalition holds first monthly meeting in NEPA
Wayne Independent: Supervisors waiting for word on bridge money
Pocono Record: Delaware Valley School Board may raise taxes

South Central
Patriot-News: Plan would expand Sunday booze sales in Pa., but keep the LCB in control
Patriot-News: Five Marcellus natural gas protesters arrested in Lycoming County
Patriot-News: Lemoyne Borough Council sewer committee to meet tonight
Patriot-News: Carlisle Area School Board expected to vote on contractor for Crestview Elementary School renovations
York Daily Record: Pennsylvania open records office reports record-high number of appeals
York Daily Record: South Eastern could increase taxes in 2014-15 budget

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Bethlehem mayor convenes finance task force
Morning Call: Quakertown to offer full-day kindergarten to at-risk students
Morning Call: Pa. lawmaker promises caps coming on variable electric rates
Morning Call: Allentown arena will be done Sept. 1
Express-Times: Allentown School District’s highest possible tax hike likely won’t exceed 6 percent
Express-Times: Northampton County Council won’t sue over PR firm contract, but litigation may still loom

North by Northwest
Go Erie Times: Dahlkemper names county IT director
Go Erie Times: Immigration debate takes center stage in Erie
Sun-Gazette: Bank president addresses revised flood insurance law
Sun-Gazette: Joinder’s audit review positive
Sun-Gazette: Traffic to medical center, East End development, River Walk access among issues on city’s agenda

Opinion
York Daily Record: Our take: York – home of the political write-in revolution
Express-Times: EDITORIAL: No need for a trade war over cheese
Post-Gazette: Employers’ voice: Time is short to be heard on UPMC-Highmark
Times-Tribune: Pass bill to track, fight addiction

Blogs
Media Trackers: Philadelphia Paper Owner Made Ethical Slip, or Two
Citizens Call: It’s ‘Four Leaf Clovers’ for Many PA-based Companies When it Comes to State Income Taxes
Keystone Politics: #HD182: Brian Sims Wins 8th Ward Endorsement. Babette Josephs Wins Court Date
Keystone Politics: #PAGov: McCord Calls for a 10% severance tax
PA Budget and Policy Center: Some Major Corporations Pay Little or Nothing in State Income Taxes
2 Political Junkies: Pittsburghers React to Former Mayor Ravenstahl’s Excuse for Leaving Office with City-owned PC
Pennsylvania Progressive: An Injunction Against the First Amendment
Above Average Jane: McKenzie Announces in 150th House District
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Young Sails Thru Personnel Committee