We hope you survived yesterday’s mega-storms little worse for the wear, and you’re ready for the three-day weekend. We’ll see you back on Tuesday.

It’s a recount! The absentee ballots are in, and Barbara Ernsberger has climbed to within the 0.5 percent threshold in the Democrats’ Commonwealth Court primary. Kathryn Boockvar leads by 2,116 votes – 0.341 percent – and confidently notes that no election result has been overturned by recount since PA went to electronic vote counting. But it will be two weeks and $500 thousand before everyone knows for sure.

It’s been quite a week for Rick Santorum. He announced yesterday that he’s officially launching his bid for President on June 6 in Somerset, PA. It comes after a successful week filled with New Hampshire endorsements. And in the surest sign yet that the former Senator has become a national name, Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus called out Santorum on her Twitter account last night.

Conservative guru Grover Norquist is taking aim at Sen. Scarnati’s impact fee proposal. The leader of Americans for Tax Reform says the bill is a tax and would violate the infamous Taxpayer Protection pledge, Scarnati says Grover’s wrong. It looks like it could fall to Governor Corbett – who has sort of set the ATR pledge as his veto criteria – to decide.

PA Dems meanwhile, are feeling a little pep in their step this week. After the PA House budget, and the Democratic win in NY-26, Democrats think they finally have the upper hand again. And they’re pressing their edge with a paid media campaign in 25 PA House districts across PA. Whether the budget will be seen in 2012 as the GOP keeping its promise to reduce government spending, or as draconian cuts, remains to be seen.

Our colleagues in print are breathing a sigh of relief this week. The Pa legislature decided to shelve a proposal to shift public notices online and out of newspapers – depriving them of a key source of revenue. Not that you would know first hand, gentle reader, but many Pennsylvanians still receive their news on folded up pieces of paper.

And don’t forget to check back later for this week’s Ups and Downs!

PoliticsPA Reports

Mandatory Recount Ordered In Democratic Commonwealth Court Primary Election
It’s not over yet. It appears Barbara Ernsberger has pulled within the margin of endorsed Democratic candidate Kathryn Boockvar. With only 2,116 votes – 0.341 percent – separating the two candidates, the state will begin its recount in the coming days.

Politico: Rick Santorum To Announce Presidential Bid At Somerset County Courthouse
Santorum will officially announce his campaign for the Presidency on June 6, reportedly near the western Pennsylvania coal mines where his grandfather worked.

@MileyCyrus Calls Out Rick Santorum
“IF WE ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE NEXT THING U KNOW PEOPLE WILL BE MARRYING GOLD FISH’ – Rick Santorum UO contributed $13,000 to this mans campaign” the singer and Hannah Montana star tweeted.

Santorum Announces New Hampshire Endorsements
Santorum announced this week that he has received several endorsements for his presidential bid from several Republican officials in New Hampshire, the first primary state.

Marcellus Impact Fee: Grover Norquist v. Joe Scarnati
The Marcellus shale impact fee debate just got a little more complicated. Yesterday Grover Norquist sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati warning that the proposed drilling impact fee is indeed a tax.

Pa. Dems Go On The Attack
Bolstered by what they see as Republicans’ politically untenable budget in the PA House and Democrat Kathy Hochul’s Medicare-themed win in the special election for New York’s 26th Congressional seat, Dems argue that they have the momentum heading into the 2012 election (and yes, they know it’s 18 months away).

Rep. Shuster Withdraws FAA Amendment Opposed By Sully Sullenberger
Rep. Bill Shuster has withdrawn his amendment that aimed to, “improve the rule-making process at the FAA.” The amendment had drawn high-profile opposition from hero pilot Captain Sully Sullenberger.

Rep. Altmire & Rep. Murphy Promote Nuclear Reactor Act
Reps. Jason Altmire and Tim Murphy are advocating for a new generation of miniature nuclear reactors that can potentially power neighborhoods. The duo unveiled new legislation, designed to facilitate the development of small nuclear reactors, during a press conference at Westinghouse Electric Company’s headquarters in Cranberry, PA last Friday.

Bill To Allow Posting Notices Online Is Shelved; Pa. Newspapers Breath Sigh Of Relief
Newspapers across PA are breathing a collective sigh of relief after the the General Assembly decided yesterday against taking up a measure that would eliminate a requirement for local governments to put public notices in newspapers and giving them the option to post notices online.

National
Inquirer: Gringrich, in N.H. tries to refocus his campaign
AP: Palin to embark on east coast bus tour
The Citizens Voice: Barletta asks EPA for further investigation of ‘cancer cluster’
Wayne Independent: Rep. Marino to testify backing federal hiring freeze proposal
WFMZ: Toomey’s Budget Plan Voted Down

Statewide
Commonwealth Confidential, Inquirer: What Grover says goes? Norquist issues ruling on shale ‘fee’
AP: Protesters assail cuts to disabled
Morning Call: Recount Ahead in Court Race: Lawyers from Doylestown, Pittsburgh Seeking Democratic Nod
Morning Call: Santorum to Announce Run in Western PA
WHYY Newsworks: Plan To Cut Unemployment Stalls In Pa. House
Tribune Review: Key senator now considering move for investigative bureau
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania gaming board spends thousands on probe defense
Tribune Review: Race for the top not over for PA
AP:  Grand jury says Gaming Control Board needs more regulation, experienced employees to avoid corruption
AP:  Pennsylvania House bill would provide lesser penalties for minors who swap ‘sexts’
Bucks County Courier Times: Rep. Santarsiero Will Give Pay Increase To D.A.R.E.
The Intelligencer: State Wants Carbon Filter Systems For Homes With TCE

Philly and Suburbs
Inquirer: Sarah Palin to visit the Liberty Bell
Daily News: Feds’ Final Pitch To Add Time To Fumo’s Sentence
Heard In The Hall: Why are RCC Ward Leaders Meeting?
PhillyClout: Nutter Admin: City Cannot Afford Millage Shift For Schools
WHYY Newsworks: Nutter, Council and School Funding Wars
Daily News: Clarke Wants City To Sue Corbett Over School Funding
Inquirer: How Will Mayor Nutter Fulfill His Vow To Rescue Schools?
Philly.com: Council moves forward to save DROP
PhillyClout: Council Schedules DROP Hearings
Philly Daily News: Paid sick leave legislation takes step forward in council
Philly Now: Philly State Rep. Wants To Make Shutting Down Violent Clubs Easier
Philadelphia Daily News: Council’s search for milk money under way in Philly
The Intelligencer: Voter Services Officials Suspended
The Intelligencer: Castor’s No Vote Angers Head of Democrats
Inquirer: PHA Budget Plan Shifts Money To Rent Subsidies
Bucks County Courier Times: Students Witness Civics Lesson

Pittsburgh and Southwest PA
Tribune Review: Court: Allegheny can’t regulate where sex offenders live
Tribune Review: Rick Santorum will make presidential bid official June 6 (at home in Somerset county)
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh board leases closed school to Propel.
Post-Gazette: Supreme Court: County can not say where sex offenders can live.
Post-Gazette: McCullough didn’t receive enough write-in votes to run for DA.
KDKA News: Duquesne School District Releases Preliminary Budget.
Daily American: Santorum coming to Somerset County to make major announcement
Daily American: Somerset PA Write-in Votes counted

Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Alpha Passes Budget, Increases Taxes Slightly
Express Times: Memorial Day Services Scheduled Throughout the Region
Morning Call: Union to County: Approve Award: AFSCME Filed a Civil Suit Against the County on Wednesday
Morning Call: Easton Extends Benefits Package
Morning Call: Lehigh County Reveals Union Contract Proposals: Commissioners are Split
Morning Call: Ruling on Residency Requirements for Megan’s Law Registrants Likely to Impact Local Laws
Pocono Record: Tobyhanna Army Depot Honors Veterans at Memorial Day Ceremony
Reading Eagle: Schwank Bill Seeks to Reduce Size of Legislature
Times News: Tax Dispute: Senior Judge to Decide Case Between County and PVSD
WFMZ: Local Agency Concerned About Proposed Cuts in PA Budget
WFMZ: Mobile Vet Center Stops in Berks

NEPA
The Times Leader: Judge denies former judge Mark Ciavarella’s motion for a new trial
The Times Leader: Enforcing laws the focus of shale conference
The Citizens Voice: Wilkes holds forum on Marcellus Shale drilling issues
The Citizens Voice: County hires new security, and transportation bosses
Wayne Independent: Honesdale crosswalks get new paint job
The Standard Speaker: Panther Valley School hopes to restore cuts
The Standard Speaker: Weather Area avoids deep budget cuts
The Standard Speaker: Hot water heaters to trim HHA natural gas usage
The Standard Speaker: Luzerne election board certifies primary results
The Standard Speaker: Schuylkill write-ins have an impact
The Standard Speaker: Hazelton Area approves preliminary budget with staff cuts, and furloughs
WNEP Channel 16: Picnic, Not Pipelines Gathering Natural Gas Debate

South Central PA
York Daily Record:  Former York mayor to testify before Senate committee
York Daily Record:  State reps. introduce bill allowing teachers to wear religious items
York Daily Record:  Springettsbury police chief to step down because of Hatch Act
York Daily Record:  Rep. Frank helped partner land Fannie Mae job
York Daily Record:  Write-in candidate will be on November ballot
Intelligencer Journal:  E-town Council expresses support for newspaper publication of legal notices
Intelligencer Journal:  E-town OKs budget with tax hike, staff cuts

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council wants to borrow money for McBride Viaduct work.
Observer-Reporter: Amwell woman sues Pa. DEP
Associated Press: Partisan Budget Vote for Local Lawmakers
Associated Press: Recount ordered in tight commonwealth court race
Associated Press: PA. high court rejects Allegheny sex-offender law
Tribune-Democrat: Santorum to enter race in region
Tribune-Democrat: House votes to eliminate NDIC
Tri-County Courier Express: District Judge not happy with handling of charges
The Daily Item: Petition drive under way to ‘tax fracking now’

Opinion
Lancaster Era Editorial: PA House GOP Budget is the right medicine
Philly deals: Should Philly force firms to give workers sick pay?
Express Times Opinion Staff: Easton Needs a Healthy Debate on Downtown Improvement District
Post-Gazette: The President’s secret missions.
Tribune-Review: Pawlenty’s pace picks up.
Altoona Mirror: Buisness, Gov’t wall needed
Daily American: Plaudits for the Sheriff’s department
Erie Times-News: Education funds shouldn’t be cut