Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz. Former House Speaker John Perzel is going to prison.  Some action this week in PA-17, Patrick Murphy is on TV, and endorsements galore.

Hoyer Coming to Town for Holden: Steny Hoyer, the number two Democrat in the U.S. House, will visit the Lehigh Valley on Friday on behalf of Rep. Tim Holden.

Report: Cartwright Has Raised $600K: The National Journal is reporting that Matt Cartwright, who is challenging Tim Holden in PA-17, has raised $600,000 so far not including any self-funding. However, Cartwright’s campaign manager says that’s off base and that the campaign hasn’t released any specific numbers.

Murphy for AG Goes on TV (Video): Patrick Murphy, the former Bucks County Congressman running for Pa. Attorney General, will launch his first television ad of the Democratic primary beginning tomorrow. The positive, 30-second bio spot will air on broadcast TV in the Pittsburgh market.

Welch Visits Pitt Republicans: Steve Welch made a campaign stop at the University of Pittsburgh on Tuesday. He talked about business, government, and what role social issues should play in GOP campaign efforts.

“The Seven Craziest Positions of Senate Candidate Sam Rohrer” ThinkProgress, a national liberal website, is taking aim at U.S. Senate candidate Sam Rohrer. In a video unveiled Wednesday, the site listed the former lawmaker’s most stridently conservative views.

Perzel Sentenced To Prison: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports former House Speaker John M. Perzel was sentenced to 2-1/2 to 5 years in prison today for his role as mastermind of the so-called “Computergate” scheme to use taxpayer-paid computer programs to win political campaigns.

Wednesday Endorsement Roundup: Philly Pentecostal Clergy for Sam Rohrer, Citizens United for Tom Smith, Steelworkers for Larry Maggi, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for Tim Murphy, and Sen. John Pippy for Mark Mustio.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-31: Sen. Pat Vance, facing a GOP challenge from Carlisle attorney Andrew Shaw, called herself “Your Voice of Reason in Harrisburg” in a mailer to super-voting Republicans in the Cumberland County-based district. View the mailer here (front and back).

SD-37: The race to replace Sen. John Pippy is heating up. Pippy endorsed Rep. Mark Mustio for his seat. Meanwhile Raja, who ran for Allegheny County Exec in 2011, is preparing to go on TV this week. And the GOP committee in his home turf of Mt. Lebanon endorsed Raja Wednesday.

National
The Caucus: Santorum plays to his audience, toy in hand
New York Times: Santorum sees historical significance in his fight
Five Thirty Eight: GOP nomination becoming a one-man race
Pennsylvania Ave: Santorum pounces on  Mitt Romney’s adviser’s  Etch-a-Sketch comment
Early Returns: Santorum to lobby PA delegates
Politico: Santorum gave paid speeches in fall campaign
Politico: Rick Santorum campaign  a boon to sweater vest maker
Politico: Rick Santorum: Conservatives should  ‘line up behind us’
Politico: Santorum: That’s what conservatives are afraid of

Statewide
AP: Perzel gets at least 2.5 years in corruption case
Times-Tribune: Mellow Case Judge Backs Out
Capitol Ideas: Farnese bill would mandate full prostate exam for erectile dysfunction meds
State House Sound Bites: Santorum rallies supporters in Gettysburg
PA Independent: Report: Elections in PA get failing grade for corruption
StateImpactPA: Obama on two-day energy policy promo tour
StateImpactPA: Frack water withdrawals to displace 32 households
StateImpactPA: “Josh Fox condemns fracking about face by USDA”
StateImpactPA: PA enviro groups issue report cards to state legislators
Reading Eagle: State senator counters ultrasound with erectile bill
WFMZ: Senator Casey demands refunds for Direct Air passengers

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Philly cops to patrol SEPTA as transit police strike
Inquirer: Can drug felons be saved? $1.3M program hopes so
Inquirer: Pa. ethics panel sues over Carl Greene’s financial data
Inquirer: A grim, ‘embarrassed’ Perzel sentenced to 30 to 60 months
Inquirer: Judge rules Sandusky defense must receive data on accusers
Inquirer: Penn State offers counseling to Sandusky victims
PhillyClout: Breaking: City denied new trial in Boy Scouts HQ case, must pay legal fees
PhillyClout: Nutter applauds arbitration award for correctional officers
Phillynow.com: Gearing up for International Anti-Street Harassment Day
Phillynow.com: And here is the time Rick Santorum made a ‘threesome’ joke
Phillynow.com: Presidential candidate Jill Stein addresses Green Party in Roxborough [Pt. 2]
Phillynow.com: Daily Grinder: Drexel U. attacked for ‘abortion clinic escort service’
WHYY Newsworks: Advocated fire off preemptive suit over planned Pa. cuts to DPW services
WHYY Newsworks: Schwartz increasingly a player in national Democratic Party

SEPA
phillyburbs.com: Residents, groups speak out at state budget hearing in Burlington County
phillyburbs.com: Medford adopts rigid pay-to-play regulations
phillyburbs.com: Local lawmakers react to Perzel sentencing
Delco Daily Times: Economic blueprint for future is coming together for county
Bucks Local News: Police to crack down on aggressive driving in Newtown, Southampton, Penndel, and other municipalities
Daily Local: Tax exemption would save $40,000 a year for redevelopment authority
Daily Local: West Chester school board mulls new comment policy

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Supreme Court refuses to hear local DNA collection case
Tribune Review: Jeb Bush tells GOP to get behind Romney, suggests Marco Rubio for VP
Tribune Review: Sen. Jane Orie testifies her handwritten notes are innocent
Tribune Review: Former Pa. House Speaker Perzel sentenced to prison
Post-Gazette: Orie prosecution questions emails
Post-Gazette: Former speaker of the Pa. House sentenced in corruption case
Post-Gazette: Ex-House aides apologize for roles in scheme
Early Returns: Murphy for AG up on Pgh TV Tues.
Early Returns: Citizen’s United endorses Smith
Early Returns: Perzel: 2-5 years in prison
Early Returns: Endorsement game cont.
Early Returns: Santorum to lobby Pa delegates
KDKA: Orie on stand for 3rd day as trial winds down

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Cecil, Peters latest to join action on gas drilling law
Observer-Reporter: Group scores lawmakers’ drilling votes
WJAC: Voters get ‘pass’ on photo I.D. in primary

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Staff reductions on the table for Easton Area school district
Morning Call: Judge tosses most claims in Bethlehem Area special education lawsuit
Morning Call: Bethlehem Twp. joins legal challenge to arena, likely to be filed this week
Reading Eagle: Exeter administrators to use former school

South Central
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Shippensburg activists invited to White House briefing
Carlisle Sentinel: SU professors, students rally against budget cuts
Harrisburg Patriot News: West Shore School Board disappointed in teachers’ response to pay negotiations
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg’s receiver says city has been mismanaged
Harrisburg Patriot News: Former Pa. Speaker Perzel somber after receiving corruption sentence
York Daily Record: 200 interviewed in Penn State investigation
York Dispatch: Santorum draws sharply mixed reviews during Gettysburg visit
York Dispatch: GOP Medicare plan borrows from and repeals Obama’s
Lebanon Daily News: Teachers’ contract deadline nears at A-C

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Steve Scully to talk politics at Edinboro
Shanon Herald: Council hears pitch to OK gas lease
Courier Express: Supervisor says new law is flawed
Williamsport Sun Gazette: City nate to head Energy Information Administration

Opinions
Bill Shuster, The Hill: Cut red tape to protect conduits of commerce
Inquirer: Opinion: Santorum’s lesson for liberals
Karen Heller, Inquirer: What’s good for Montco is also a bummer
Inquirer: Editorial: Pa.’s texting while driving ban is weak
Inquirer: Letter to the Editor: The coming battle of Pennsylvania
Daily News: Opinion: City Howl Help Desk: SEPTA gets in line with ‘step-ups’
Daily News: Editorial: Safety-net fix? City should work with others
Daily News: Letter to the Editor: Don’t begrudge aid to poor Philadelphians
Delco Daily Times: Editorial: Health care law already making difference
Delco Daily Times: Letter to the Editor: Issues affecting health, welfare of Chester residents addressed
Times-Tribune Editorial: Hold Feds Accountable
Harrisburg Patriot News: Proposed Pa. abortion law is disrespectful to women
York Daily Record: Letter: Obama supporter banned from Santorum rally
York Dispatch: Editorial: No water for you
York Dispatch: Editorial: Practical politics
Lancaster Intelligencer: An effort to close Delaware loophole
Lancaster Intelligencer: A blueprint for pension reform
Lancaster Intelligencer: Editorial: The new ‘poll’ tax
Erie Times-News: Op-Ed: Being a crook only one reason why Beeman should go
Erie Times-News: Op-Ed: Casey remains heavy favorite
Erie Times-News: Op-Ed: Politics is endless game of ‘hot potato’
Courier Express: Who wants to see U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan?
Centre Daily Times: A lot can happen between now and Election day
Centre Daily Times: Republicans have created their own ideological divide
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Letter to the editor: Political insanity
Reading Eagle: Requirement shouldn’t stop anyone from casting a ballot
Morning Call: Even Fox News says President doesn’t control gas prices
Morning Call: Social Security tax reduction is recessive
Morning Call: Freedom of choice should be nation’s law
Express Times: Half-hearted search for Warren PCFA appointees produces conflicts of interest
Times-Tribune Editorial: Legislators Have No Place On Boards
Tribune Review: More Obama blather
Tribune Review: Regulation & Obama’s numbers game
Tribune Review: Ed the terrorist?
Wall Street Journal: What do Republicans believe?
National Review: Time to pass the JOBS Act (by Pat Toomey)
Pottstown Mercury: Gov. Corbett blind to people with disabilities

Blogs
CasablancaPA: Unbelievably, Corbett’s minions still obsessed with us
Keystone State Education Coalition: Teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, no more elementary music classes, no more French, German, or Latin, pay to play sports
Down With Tyranny: Help Blue America defeat a blue dog (Holden)
Commonwealth Foundation: No school tax referendums in Pennsylvania this year
Lehigh Valley Independent: Dumb food cart protectionism in Bethlehem
Lehigh Valley Independent: Feed Purge
Lehigh Valley Independent: Highlights from John Callahan’s state of the city address
Lehigh Valley Independent: The digital divide in Philly
Lehigh Valley Independent: Barriers to entry and high healthcare costs
Lehigh Valley Independent: Public Sector Jobs: Compassionate conservatism vs. Kenyan anti-Colonialism
NEPartisan: COLTS likely prepping for lawsuit
2 Political Junkies: Watching the Trib omit
Water Cooler PA: Blame impotent Congress and yourself for high gas prices
Pennsylvania Progressive: Matt Cartwright: “I’m from the democratic wing of the Democratic party”
Keystone Progress: Keystone Progress leads PA delegation to White House on Friday
Keystone Politics: Unaccountable corporate cash throws its weight behind Tom Smith for Senate
Keystone Politics: Boockvar on the Offensive over Mike Fitzpatrick “hobnobbing”
John Hanger: Senator Santorum’s terrible 7 days remind why he lost Pennsylvania by 18 points
Jan Jarret’s Ad Hoc Blog: Killing the Keystone Fund unnecessary and harmful
Keystone Politics: Altmire campaign blasts Critz in email to supporters