5/10 Morning Buzz

Guilty! PA State Sen. Bob Mensch was found guilty yesterday of a summary disorderly conduct charge for brandishing a gun at another driver during a commute on I-78 in Berks County. It carries a max $300 fine and 90 days in jail (jailtime is unlikely). Mensch maintains that it was a cell phone, not a gun, but that didn’t stop the NRA from endorsing him for life.

…Not guilty? A Secret Service analysis of allegedly forged documents in the Orie case has returned a result of inconclusive. They aren’t sure whether the ink used to write the handwritten parts of the memos in question invalidates Orie’s story, which sources close to the defense are calling an early victory. However, the copy-paste parts of the documents – the crux of the allegations – have yet to be analyzed.

Governor Corbett is back from DC, where yesterday he delivered a speech to the pro-voucher American Federation for Children. There, he put the blame for the decay in public education squarely on teachers unions. Some teachers and activists also made their way down to the DC to protest the event, which also featured Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

A bill requiring PA voters to show photo ID is one step closer to law. The measure, sponsored by State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, has touched off a back-and-forth with the PA chapter of the ACLU, who says that it would lead to disenfranchisement.

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

PoliticsPA Reports

Gov. Corbett Singles Out Teachers Union in Speech to Pro-Vouchers Group
Governor Corbett singled out teachers unions today in keynote speech today to the American Federation for Children, a D.C.-based pro-vouchers group. Several dozen protesters, including representatives of teachers’ unions, also the made the trip from Pennsylvania.

The ACLU Vs. Daryl Metcalfe
State Rep. Metcalfe’s bill to require photo IDs for PA voters, passed the House State Government Committee today. The civil rights advocates at the PA chapter of the ACLU were quick to criticize the measure, saying it would lead to disenfranchisement.

Headlines
Morning Call: Pa. State Senator Found Guilty Of Disorderly Conduct in Road-Rage Incident
Fox Philadelphia: State Rep. In DUI Being Driven Around
Slate: While other 2012ers sleep, Santorum is making waves
Tribune Review: Analysis of alleged Orie forgery is inconclusive
Times-Leader: Illegal Immigrant’s Release Ripped
Fox Philadelphia: Pa. Taxpayers Getting Some Money Back
The Hill: Toomey expected to release budget leaving Medicare alone
WHYY Newsworks: Northeast Corridor Gets Railroad Funding Originally Intended for Florida
Morning Call: PA House Dems say use surplus to restore budget cuts
Inquirer: Pa. Considers Giving Voters More Say on School Budgets
Patriot-News: Gov. Corbett’s Proposed Budget Would Eliminate Harrisburg’s Weed and Seed Program
WHYY Newsworks: Invalidation of Allentown Cell Phone Ban Will Not Impact Philly
State House Sound Bites: State House Could Debate Abortion Clinic Legislation This Week
Patriot-News: State Rep. Joe Hackett Introduces Legislation To Exempt 911 Callers’ ID Information & Location From Pa.’s Right To Know Law
Times-Leader: 16 Judicial Candidates Raise $1.045 Million for Primary Race
WHYY Newsworks: Proponents of Paid Sick Leave Trying to Get It Moving Again In Philadelphia
Inquirer: Crowded Field Seeks To Represent Diverse 8th District in City Council
CBS Philadelphia: 2 Organizations Gear Up For Phila. Elections
Early Returns: Koch Files Ethics, Not Court Complaint
Early Returns: MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Talks Guns With Burgess
Early Returns: McCullough Trial PPD Til Mid-Nov.
Early Returns: George Matta’s Tantrum
Heard in the Hall: Council Candidate Gets Backing From Mayor… of NYC
Heard in the Hall: Seth Williams in demand for Council endorsements
Times-News: Debate Unlikely in Aliota-Reese Millcreek Race
Citizens’ Voice: Drillers take another chance in Columbia County
Citizens’ Voice: Expert: Finding natural gas in Utica Shale is unlikely; more ‘overcooked’ than Marcellus
Citizens’ Voice: Though sole candidate, DA seeks to win GOP nod as a write-in
Citizens’ Voice: Out of commission: Primary  first step in seating county council to replace three commissioners
Times Leader: Illegal immigrant’s release ripped
Times Leader: Pa. panel eyes change to help military
Inquirer: Corbett trip to D.C. sparks anti-voucher protest
PhillyBurbs: DEP stormwater rules called unreasonable
Post-Gazette: State gets $40 million for rail project between Harrisburg and Philly
Tribune Review: State Democrats want to spend money now
Post-Gazette: Prevailing wage provision stalls bill to create transit partnerships
Post-Gazette: McCullough’s fraud trial moved until after November election
Inquirer:  More say is sought on school tax in Pa.
Philly.com:  Council candidate gets backing from mayor… of NYC
FOX Philly: State Rep in DUI Being Driven Around
WFMZ:  Officials Announce Drug Bust
Philly.com:  Santorum Shows Up, Wins SC Straw Vote
WFMZ:  The 2011 Vote For Mayor: Questions For The Candidates
Patriot-News: Rep. Joe Hackett introduces bill to exempt 911 callers’ identifying information and location from Pa.’s Right to Know Law
Daily Record: In Dover, candidates focus on budgets, teacher salaries
Patriot-News: Pa. House panel advances plan to require ID to vote
Courier Times: Join Online Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick
Inquirer: Nutter & Street On NBC10 @Issue Sunday But Not Together
Express Times: Democratic Organizations schedule Bethlehem Candidates Night
Morning Call: PA Lawmakers’ Outside Income
Daily Times: Hospitality, transportation among gifts for lawmakers
WHTM: PA House Republicans to Introduce Budget this Week
Inquirer: Pennsylvania Considers giving voters more say on school budgets.
Centre Daily Times: Three Candidates: Cooper, Grine, and Mason to face off for the country judicial post in primary.
Philly.com: Back Channels: 2 City Commissioner candidates promise change.
Inquirer: Democrats rally for gas-drilling tax.
Inquirer: Campaign reports show electricians’ financing power.
WFMZ News: State Okays Allentown School Districts Education Program
Philly.com: Crowded field seeks to represent diverse Eighth District in Council.
Tribune Review: Democratic Commissioner candidates bring varied experience
Tribune Review: GOP hopefuls say they’re committed to cutting county spending
Tribune Review: Six Candidates seek Five Spots on Mt. Pleasant School Board

Opinions
Baer Growls: I’ll Vouch For That
Salena Zito, Tribune Review: Democrats bank on “Medi-scare” messaging for 2012
Citizens’ Voice: Insured taxpayers will take on uninsured
Times Leader: Six judge candidates shine amid talented field
Times Leader: Our endorsement: Luzerne County Council, Republicans
Stu Bykofsky, Daily News: Which candidates are likely to DROP-kick Tasco?
Patriot-News Editorial: Games people play: Monthly statements from the casino? GOP must allow for individual freedom
LTE, Pottstown Mercury: Blame Democrats for high gas prices
Patriot-News Op-Ed: PSU budget cuts hurt Pa. economy
John Baer, Daily News: Pa. Politicians are Truly Gifted
Tribune Review: What Government “Produces” (Corporate income taxes are too high in PA)
Patriot-News: Pennsylvanians Pay their taxes, PA. firms should too.
Philly.com:  $250 buys a pretty nice gift for an elected official
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Early-Returns: George Matta’s Tantrum Letter because PG endorsed Valerie McDonald over himself and Wagner
Express Times: PA must find right approach to taxing regulating gas drilling
York Daily Record: Pay Raises will Hurt

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