Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz. Mitt Romney is in town today to meet with Rick Santorum, and Dems from Pittsburgh to DC are ready in case an endorsement is announced.

Don’t forget to check back later for the Ups & Downs.

Dems Bring Out Knives for Romney/Santorum PGH Visit (Watch Video): Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are meeting today in Pittsburgh, and Democrats from there to DC are opening fire. Standard Romney protest events are super-charged by efforts to preempt any possible endorsement by Santorum.

PA Dems Ding “Tea Party Tom Smith” (Watch Video): For months as the GOP Senate candidates held forums, debates and made TV appearances across Pennsylvania. The PA Dems tracked almost every one, and today unveiled a compilation of clips of nominee Tom Smith’s Tea Party past.

Poll: Obama 47, Romney 39: Barack Obama’s lead in Pennsylvania has grown over the past month, a poll released today by Quinnipiac indicates. The results reflect a 5 point swing in the President’s favor since Q-Pac’s poll in early April which showed him within the margin of error, 45 percent to 42 for Romney.

RNC Taps Welch CM Towey for PA Victory Director: Peter Towey didn’t have too much time to relax after last week’s primary election. Within two days, the veteran GOP operative had taken the reins of Republican coordinated efforts in Pennsylvania.

Pro-Romney Super PAC to Air Ads in 9 Swing States, Not PA: Voters in 9 major swing states will today begin seeing the ad above, as the pro-Romney Super PAC Restore Our Future launches a $4.3 million ad buy. Noticeably absent from the list? Pennsylvania.

Santorum Throws Weight Behind Nebraska Senate Candidate: Just weeks after suspending his campaign, Santorum is putting himself out there again in endorsing Nebraska’s Attorney General Jon Bruning, a conservative running for U.S. Senate.

Legislative Election Updates

HD-119: Gort42 continues his look at NEPA state house races, including this rematch between freshman Rep. Gerald Mullery (D-Luzerne) and Rick Arnold. Mullery won 52 to 44 in 2010, with 4 percent going to a Libertarian candidate. Gort’s report so far? Basically no big money on either side. Mullery has less than $9K on hand.

National
Pennsylvania Ave: Barack Obama leads Mitt Romney by 8 points in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Ave: Obama campaign courting women voters
Politico: Mitt Romney: Chen Guangcheng episode ‘day of shame’ for Obama
Politico: Bob McDonnell, Michele Bachmann stump with Mitt Romney
Politico: Burns & Haberman: Santorum endorses …
Politico: Defense trumps poverty in House
Politico: Issue of health care reform emerges in races
National Journal: Poll: Romney ties Obama in two big swing states
National Journal: Obama reveals new details on Bin Laden raid
National Journal Hotline: DCCC argues redistricting was a wash
Washington Post: in Virginia visit, Romney says Obama policies are ‘backbreaking’ for small businesses
Washington Post: Va. GOP chair: Obama ‘calculating Chicago political operator’ – no disrespect meant to city
The Hill: GOP voters want Santorum, Rubio for VP
The Hill: Obama’s below-the-radar push builds support for healthcare bill
New York Times: Romney camp stirred storm over gay aide
The Caucus: ‘Julia’ becomes vehicle for Obama’s message
NewsMax: Santorum, Bachmann, Cain agree to ‘Show of Unity’ in Chicago

Statewide
Pennsylvania Ave: RNC names Pennsylvania Victor Center director
Capitol Ideas: Low jobless rate means end of PA’s extended unemployment benefits
Capitol Ideas: April tax shower brings May debate over spending
Capitol Ideas: City of Altoona gets Act 47 designation
Capitol Ideas: In new Q-poll, Obama opens with wider PA lead
PA Independent: PA public pension fund lowers expectations
State House Sound Bites: The Act 47 hotel admits a new guest: Altoona
StateImpact PA: Fracked: Why Chesapeake Energy’s Aubrey McClendon is in hot water
StateImpact PA: Secretary Krancer calls Delaware officials “dogs”
StateImpact PA: Consol reopens two coal mines in response to increased demand
National Journal: DCCC argues redistricting was a wash
National Journal: Convention-al Wisdom
Penn Live: Gov. Corbett’s shell game solution does nothing to help education

Philadelphia
Fox: Schools chief: Philly needs property tax reform
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia councilman wants right to reject bike lanes
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia trying to soften the blow or real estate tax hike
WHYY Newsworks: Common Cause PA seeks investigation of ALEC
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia sharply cutting back summer school
Philly Clout: PICA hires L&I Commissioner Fran Burns to run agency
Philly Clout: Councilman wants to cushion AVI by offering more property tax relief
Philly Now: Rep. Schwartz hits Corbett on ultrasound comments
Philadelphia Tribune: D.A. wants more money to boost prosecutor hires
Philadelphia Tribune: Council mulls school funding conundrum
Philadelphia Tribune: Feds grant millions to local health clinics
Philadelphia Tribune: Eight months later, Temple still unsure of its next president
CBS Local: Christie, Toomey among favorites to run on Romney ticket

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Boyertown School Board rejects budget calling for pay raises
Pottstown Mercury: $52M Pottstown budget would hike taxes 2.4% with no raises, no program cuts
Courier Times News: Bucks County to negotiate purchase of military housing
Daily Local: Chester County inches toward better unemployment numbers
Delco Daily Times: Chichester School District awarded $1M literacy grant
Delco Daily Times: Council OKs heating oil deal

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Corbett talks UPMC-Highmark agreement, transit funding
Early Returns: Questions on redistricting, voter ID
Early Returns: Chalk another win for Corbett
Early Returns: Orie to resign soon, seeks sentencing delay
Post-Gazette Highmark says it will drop lawsuit against UPMC
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County begins search for health director
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County controller warns of financial problems
Tribune-Review Scarnati opposes moving North Hills district in reapportionment
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh, Philly leaders plead for state budget help

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Altoona declared “financially distressed” under Act 47
Beaver County Times: Hopewell Area proposed budget includes tax increase
Indiana Gazette: County unemployment rate rises in March
Daily American: Meyersdale approves tentative budget with tax increase

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Primary results now available for review
Reading Eagle: Constitutional amendment clears state House
Reading Eagle: Farm granted legal protections
Express Times: Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan restricts written communication
Express Times: Lopatcong Township initially passes budget, leading to tax hike and employee raise
Express Times: Joe Biden speaks of optimism, but gives warnings during talk at Lafayette College

South Central
Chambersburg Public Opinion: County waits for state budget before filling Drug & Alcohol program director’s job
Carlisle Sentinel : Sen. Orie to resign, according to court motion
York Dispatch: State House passes amendment that could ease homestead taxes
York Dispatch: DePasquale, Maher get ready for auditor general race
Lebanon Daily News: Taxes might increase in Palmya school district

NEPA
Times Leader: Extended unemployment benefits to end next week
Times Leader: Wilkes faculty issues vote of no confidence to school president and trustees chairman
Times-Tribune: Judge to hear Pa. forest drilling arguments July 2
Times-Tribune: AG’s office mum on whether it will investigate Mellow
Citizens Voice: Lake-Lehman superintendent warns of cuts
Citizens Voice: Biden predicts tech dominance in Pa. visit
Standard Speaker: Lawmakers, activists tangle over $120 million surplus use
The Daily Review: Airport to get government funds

North by Northwest
Erie Times News: Pa. remapping plan affects Erie County

Opinions
Times-Tribune: Op/Ed: Some secrets shouldn’t be
Daily Item: Op/Ed: Act 93 changes don’t go far enough
Philly Inquirer: Mission in Afghanistan isn’t accomplished
Daily News: Year after Osama’s death, American values still at risk
Daily Local: Political battles can be pretty doggone silly
Post-Gazette: Softening seniority: other factors should help determine teacher layoffs
Philadelphia City Paper: Hostile witness: Indict Rendell

Blogs
North Pittsburgh Politics: Mostly positive mail from Congressman Jason Altmire
North Pittsburgh Politics: Allegheny County democratic Committee
Keystone Politics: Plan beats no plan on pensions
Keystone Politics: Doomed Senate candidate is Tea Party guy
Keystone Politics: PA Supremes open door for cities to challenge non-profits for exempt status
Keystone Politics: Q-Poll: Women choose Obama over Romney by 17 points
Keystone Politics: Study: frack fluids could contaminate aquifers much sooner than we thought
Keystone Progress: Sen. Toomey strikes out at baseball games across PA
Keystone Progress: ACLU files suit over Pa. voter ID law
Keystone Progress: Federal grants expand healthcare to thousands in Pa
Pennsylvania Progressive: Joe Biden addresses Lafayette students