5/31 Morning Buzz

Sarah Palin is in Gettysburg this morning, in the latest stop on her “One Nation” bus tour. She’s likely heading out to Philly later today. Pennsylvania conservatives, meanwhile, are feeling slighted by the total absence of contact from the Palin team. Almost a dozen GOP and Tea Party groups that PoliticsPA talked to said they had reached out to Palin, to no avail.

After YouTube clips proliferated from contentious town halls earlier this year, Reps. Lou Barletta and Tom Marino have banned recording devices by non-press. Barletta’s office says it’s an effort to protect shy constituents, skeptics say its image management and censorship. Either way, it’s an interesting read.

Governor Rendell was back in the news last week. The former Governor took a shot at Fox News, saying they were unreliable. Fox News took a shot right back, noting the Governor seemed far more favorable toward the station while he was in negotiations for a possible contract there.

And in case you missed it, here are last week’s Ups & Downs.

Finally, thank you to the men and women who serve our nation in uniform.

PoliticsPA Reports

Palin Visit Has PA Conservatives Feeling Left Out
Sarah Palin has been deliberately secretive about the details of her ongoing bus tour, leaving many Pennsylvania activists frustrated at the seeming lack of acknowledgement from the conservative icon. Privately, conservative leaders say that Palin’s radio silence reflects at best a serious lack of foresight, and at worst a sign of disrespect.

Best Fundraiser Ever?
If you’re in Bala Cynwyd, and you want to help a State Senator celebrate his 50th birthday, you’re in luck.

Rendell Fueds with Fox News
Former Governor Rendell took a shot at Fox News last week, but Fox News’ Executive Vice President Bill Shine fired right back.

5/27 Ups & Downs
We didn’t pull any punches in Friday’s Ups & Downs.

Rep. Thompson’s STEP Act Passes the House
Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson proposed the Servicemember’s Telemedicine and E-Health Portability (STEP) Act earlier this year, and the final DoD bill contained an amendment nearly identical to his proposal.

Most of PA Delegation Votes for Patriot Act Reauth
The large majority of the PA delegation voted for the Patriot Act Reauth, including Senator Casey and Rep. Schwartz, but not Mike Fitzpatrick.

After Town Hall Drama, Barletta and Marino Ban Recording Devices
The offices of Rep. Lou Barletta and Tom Marino have banned the use of recording devices by non-media sources at their town halls. This comes after several videos of contentious meetings found their way online.

Toomey Budget Fails, But Outperforms All Other Proposals
The Senate this week conducted votes for proposals for a FY2012 budget, and though Senator Pat Toomey’s failed, it received more support than any other plan.

National
CBS News: Brothers In Arms, Side-By-Side At Arlington – Featuring Travis Manion, Originally from Bucks County
TVNewser: President Obama Spoke About Manion During His Annual Speech At Arlington Cemetery
AP:PA one of the key states where Democratic registration has dipped

Statewide
Fox Philadelphia: AG Candidate Patrick Murphy Discusses Memorial Day
WHYY Newsworks: Senate May Add Education Funding to Pa. Budget
Patriot News: FreedomWorks pressures PA lawmakers for action on school vouchers
AP: Budget Battle Is Campaign Battle
The Intelligencer: Lawmakers Push For Health Plan Changes
Patriot-News: John Wetzel, New Secretary of Corrections, Wants To Change The Way Pa. Handles Prisons
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Considers Change To Law On School Spending
Patriot News: Bill Would Increase Fines For Violating Pa. Sunshine Law
NBC Pittsburgh: Lawmakers Debate Mandatory Trash Collection
Patriot News: State Rep. Perry Contests Ad Saying ‘He Wants To Punish” The Jobless
AP:  State lawmakers debate mandatory trash collection

Philly
Inquirer: And The Winner of The Philly GOP Mayoral Primary Is…
Daily News: School District Downplays Arrival of IRS Auditors; Elected Officials Have Mixed Reactions
Inquirer: PHA Nonprofit Didn’t File With IRS
WHYY Newsworks: Washington’s Crossing Veterans Cemetery Offers Final Salute

Philly Suburbs
Bucks Local News: Bucks Lawmaker Steve Santarsiero to donate COLA to the Pennsbury and Newton D.A.R.E. programs
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners host Memorial Day Ceremony of Remembrance
Bucks Local News: Bucks Commissioner Diane Marseglia to kick off 6th annual ‘Run the Gates’ in Middletown Township
Montgomery News: PA House Budget restores some funding for local school districts
Daily Local News: No new U.S. courthouse for Lancaster
Daily Local News: More budget cuts for West Chester Area
Philly Burbs: President honors Travis Manion
Philly Burbs: Quakertown native honored by Navy
Philly.com: Montco Republicans have opened their pockets – to Democrats
Daily Times: Penn-Delco residents facing school tax hike
Daily Times: Homeless in Delco: Community rallies to raise money to keep shelters open

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: In Gettysburg, post-jog Palin greets supporters
Early Returns: No Write-In for DA
Post Gazette:  Cranberry worker reprimanded for forwarding election email
Post Gazette:  Raja quits commissioner post in Mt. Lebanon
Tribune-Review:  Parking rates are on the increase throughout Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review:  FLAG development group cuts ties with Pittsburgh foundation

Southwest
The Indiana Gazette:  REP. MARK CRITZ: Remembering those who gave all
Herald Standard:  Critz addresses Social Security and Medicare issues
The Valley News Dispatch:  Washington Township sewer project runs into resistance
WPXI: Lawmakers Debate Mandatory Trash Collection
WJAC:  Democrats Try To Force Consideration Of Gas Tax

Lehigh Valley
Boyertown Times: Senator Schwank Proposes Smaller Senate and House Representatives
Express Times: Longtime Hellertown Taps Player Honored for Years of Service
Hambury Item: Bill to Rename Portion of I-78 After CMSgt. Etcherger Heads to Corbett’s Desk for Signature
Hamburg Item: Learning to Sway the Opinions of Others
Kutztown Patriot: Northeast Berks Chamber Names New Executive Director, Tammy Gore
Morning Call: PA Gaming Board Doing Heck of A Job
Morning Call: Recount in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Democratic Primary
Morning Call: Southern Lehigh Property Tax Likely to Rise Slightly
Pocono Record: Bills Cut Number of Representatives: Democrats Join GOP in Calling for Smaller General Assembly
Pocono Record: Tobyhanna Township Supervisor to Step Down
Salisbury Patch: State Rep. Justin Simmons to Host Marcellus Shale Forum

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Luzerne GOP deals the death of two leaders
Times Leader– GOP presidential contenders drift to the right
Citizens Voice– Hazleton officials OK review of city finances
Citizens Voice- Politics in Jeddo, an old town near Hazleton that now holds the distinction of being Northeastern Pennsylvania’s smallest municipality.
Luzerne Citizens Voice: Lancaster won’t get new US courthouse
Standard Speaker– Legislative leaders divided over jobless benefits
Standard Speaker– Schuylkill commissioners hire Harrisburg law firm
Standard Speaker– Luzerne officials to spend $120K on Moon Lake Park

South Central
Patriot-News: Feds Abandon Building Lancaster Courthouse but Harrisburg Courthouse On Track
Patriot-News: Indiantown Gap Memorial Day Ceremony Unites Veterans of All Services, Conflicts
WGAL:  Misleading letters try to get seniors to pay for free program, officials say
AP, The Daily Journal: Lancaster won’t get new US courthouse, but Harrisburg still set for 2013 groundbreaking

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Former PA Sen. Santorum to announce run for President.
Associated Press: PA lawmakers debate mandatory trash collection
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Applications taken for Mt. Lebanon Commissioner Post

Opinions
Patriot News Editorial: End Act 1 exemptions: School boards should take their case to voters
Times-Tribune: No Minority Commissioner
WHYY Newsworks: Hard Choices For Mayor, Council, Taxpayers
The Intelligencer: Harrisburg Hypocrites
The Intelligencer: Readers Sound Off On Legislature’s Health Benefits
Matrin K. Till Column, Express Times: Keep Government Open to Public
Observer-Reporter: Columnist distorts the facts
Observer-Reporter: Voters Guide great, if imperfect, tool

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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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