5/11 Morning Buzz

Senator Toomey unveiled his much vaunted, much anticipated FY2012 budget yesterday. Toomey’s proposal would balance the budget within 10 years without raising taxes, but leaves more politically perilous topics such as entitlement reform off the table for now.

An expansion of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, a program to facilitate private contributions to private schools that is generally popular among Republicans, passed the PA House yesterday. However, Jeff Piccola, chair of the Senate Education Committee says its DOA there. Why? Piccola says the EITC expansion is part of his baby, SB1, and he won’t pass a freestanding provision.

And a Rasmussen poll out yesterday shows that 59 percent of Americans support Rep. Lou Barletta’s effort to cut federal funding from so-called “sanctuary cities” that don’t actively seek out illegal immigrants.

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

PoliticsPA Reports

Sen. Toomey Unveils Proposal To Balance The Budget By 2020
Setting out to “demonstrate that it is in fact possible to balance the budget within 10 years without raising taxes,” United States Senator Pat Toomey on Tuesday unveiled a proposal he vowed would balance the federal budget by 2020 and produce a surplus a year later.

Rep. Barletta Vindicated On Two Fronts
A national poll shows wide support for Barletta’s move to cut federal funds from so-called “sanctuary cities,” and more details emerge suggesting that perhaps his town hall drama was coordinated.

Seth Williams To Endorse Pat Murphy For AG
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams will endorse Patrick Murphy for Attorney General today, PoliticsPA has learned.

Philly Commissioner’s Office Says Committee of 70 Went Too Far
According to Tim Dowling, an official of the Philadelphia Commissioner’s office, The Committee of 70, the non-profit watchdog group in Philly will have to reform as a Political Committee after participating in a legal battle between two council candidates. It’s the latest in a chapter of contentious relations between the Commission and the watchdog group.

Headlines

The Hill: Rep. Pitts Says Massachusetts Health Care Plan Offers Preview Of Bad Things To Come For Affordable Care Act
Patriot-News: Rick Santorum Slur Catches The Attention of Actress Keira Knightley
WHYY Newsworks: Sen. Toomey Highlights Parts of His 2012 Budget Proposal
Times-News: Rep. Kelly Appeared on Fox & Friends; He Says It Is To Hard To Be Profitable In The USA
AP: Pa. Supreme Court Considers Which Crimes Can Keep People Out Of Office
AP: State House GOP Plan To Budget More Money For Education
AP: More Education Money In Counterproposal To Corbett’s Cuts
Capitol Ideas: Gun Owners Rally For Castle Doctrine Approval
Patriot-News: Pa. House Passes Expansion Of Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program
Capitol Ideas: Sen. Piccola: House EITC Legislation Is DOA
Patriot-News: Marcellus Shale Rally at Capitol in Harrisburg Focuses on Jobs
Times-Leader: Drilling, Gas In Water Linked
Inquirer: Philadelphia’s Mayoral Primary Offers A Republican Party At War With Itself
Daily News: Mayor Nutter Seeks To Turn The Tide On Delaware River Waterfront
WHYY Newsworks: Phila. Teachers Picket Education Budget Cuts
Early Returns: Fitzgerald: Review Health Department
CBS Pittsburgh: State Releases Property Tax Relief Information
PhillyNow: Will Superintendent Ackerman Make $500,000 This Year?
NBC Pittsburgh: Constable Stabbed While Transporting Suspect To Jail
Patriot-News: Ex-Democratic Chairwoman Running for Dauphin County Treasurer
Patriot-News: Another Staffer Leaves Harrisburg’s Mayor’s Office
Times-Leader: Local Attorney May Challenge Luzerne County DA Musto Carroll
Times-Leader: Wyoming Borough Gets Sewer Grant From The Commonwealth
Times-News: Erie County Councilman Wants Examination of Gaming Revenue Authority Spending
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: State House Approves Bills Limiting ‘Junior’ Drivers
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Allegheny Country Judge Scolds Juror for walking out on trial
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Beaver County Woman Charged with Stealing $119,000 to gamble
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pgh councilman (Ricky Burgess) pushes to repeal campaign finance law
WFMZ News: Lawmakers Consider Bill to Require Voters to Show Photo ID
WFMZ News: Judge Restrains Palin’s Restraining Order for Local Man
Lehigh Valley Live: Democratic organizations schedule Bethlehem candidates night
The Morning Call:  Dent continues push to ban bath salts
The Morning Call: Analysis: Santorum scores at debate
The Morning Call:  House GOP: Lessen education cuts
Centre Daily Times: PA House eyes tougher Abortion Clinic Standards.
Centre Daily Times: Exargos, Selego bring in top donor dollars in Centre County Commissioner Campaigns.
The Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County Commissioner hopefuls debate debt, taxes.
Centre Daily Times: Centre County Commissioner Candidates examine role in economic development.
Altoona Mirror: No Tax Increases in next School District Budget.
Altoona Mirror: Attempt to Prosecute Bedford DA denied.

Opinions
Elmer Smith, Daily News: Rep. Fattah, Sen. Casey Swoop In To Help Families Facing Foreclosure
Baer Growls: Operation Black Fly
Philly.com: Endorsements for sheriff, city commissioners’ office
Tribune Review : Tuesday takes (Endorsements for the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court)
Patriot-News Editorial: Gay rights: As society appears more tolerant, ‘the betwixt and between’ area is gray indeed (Messiah College and Rick Santorum)
Pottstown Mercury: Gambling proceeds are worth little in property tax relief
Lehigh Valley Independent : Obama Grant Will Make Philly-New York Fastest US Rail Line
Lehigh Valley Independent : Air Pollution is a Job Killer
Patriot-News, Allison Ferrier: Corbett’s budget hits those trying to get by the hardest
Patriot-News, Sean Shultz: Democrat for Cumberland Commissioner
The Morning Call:  HEAD TO HEAD: The Gracedale Issue
Dave Davies off Mic: Burning faucets from fracking, and local pols on video
Altoona Mirror: PA slow to clarify Marcellus Shale Policy.
Centre Daily Times: Get Fox out of Marcellus Henhouse

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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