Good morning politicos, here’s the buzz. We have our latest edition of Harrisburg’s Smartest Staffers, a budget deal gets closer but remains elusive, and Republicans reserve $1.6 mil of Philly airtime for the fall.

Harrisburg’s Smartest Staffers: House Republicans: Lawmakers are great, but staffers are the people who make government happen. Here’s our fourth and final edition of the best and brightest in each of the four caucuses in Harrisburg. Today: the top 10 House Republican staff members.

ICYMI: Harrisburg’s Smartest Staffers: House Democrats

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Corbett’s Numbers on Par with Other GOP Govs: A number of recent polls have shown Gov. Corbett’s approval rating waning, but Capitol Ideas notes the unpopularity is shared by governors in other key swing states.

Reader Poll: How Will the Supreme Court Rule on Obamacare?: With a ruling expected from the Supreme Court any day now, we’re asking readers what they think the justices will decide on Obamacare.

NRCC Adds Philly Market to Ad Plan: Don’t worry SEPA, congressional Republicans haven’t forgotten about you. After announcing a $1.3 million post-Labor Day ad buy in southwest Pennsylvania last week, the National Republican Congressional Committee decided to look east and reserve $1.6 million in airtime in the Philly market.

Legislative Election Updates

HD-152: Democratic candidate Ronald Kolla has kicked off his summer campaign (and held his second major campaign event) with a fund raiser at a Huntingdon Valley resident’s home. He will face off against the well-known incumbent Tom Murt (R-Montco) who is seeking a fourth term.

National
Wall Street Journal: Obama’s Control Problem
Washington Post: Mitt Romney adviser Mike Leavitt meets with conservative GOP lawmakers about health care
Wall Street Journal: Lawmakers Want Details on Automatic Spending Cuts
Politico: Obama’s Pennsylvania problem
Politico: Ron Paul raised $1.78M in May
Politico: Obama’s immigration trap
Roll Call: Votes on Judges Could Put GOP in Tough Spot
Roll Call: Mitt Romney Starts Quest for Suitable Hill Staffers
National Journal: The DREAM Order Is Another Reason for Congress to Act on Immigration
The Caucus: Romney Says Rubio Is Being Examined as Possible Running Mate
The Caucus: Some Democrats Make Student Loans a Campaign Issue
The Caucus: Obama’s Lawyer Demands Information on Group Donors
The Hill: GOP reels after deft Obama move
The Hill: Senate Dems balk at ending Bush-era tax rates on wealthy without a deficit deal
The Hill: Dem hopes dim for recapturing House –  Emily
USA Today: Obama slams Romney over heckling
USA Today: Mitt Romney to speak at NAACP convention

Statewide
StateImpactPA: Shell Tax Break: American Chemistry Council Conducted Jobs Study For Eight Other States, Too
StateImpactPA: Shell Tax Break Now A Key Cog In Budget Talks
StateImpactPA: Drill Bits: Rock Snot And Budget Talks
Pa Independent: Liquor privatization to hold off until fall
Capitolwire: Gov. Corbett announces Dollar General distribution center to locate in Berks County, create 500 new jobs
Pa Independent: Daily Budget Roundup
Capitol Ideas: Mid-Morning Budget Update: Talks continue, second session planned for this afternoon.
Capitol Ideas: Corbett eyeing PLCB housecleaning?
Capitol Ideas: Turzai: No #PaLiquor bill until the fall at the earliest
AP: Former PA Rep. Mike Veon sentenced to another 1 to 4 years in prison

Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: Dem lawmaker urges modernization — not privatization — of Pa. liquor sales
Philly Clout: AVI delay could force revisions to city’s five year financial plan
Philly Clout: Departed PHA head was investigated for affair with staffer
Phillynow.com: Daily Grinder: Marcellus Shale Set to Bring Jobs…Any Day Now
Phillynow.com: ‘Back Door Ban’ on Abortion Takes Effect Today
Phillynow.com: Free Library Feels Pain of State Cuts
The Inquirer: Lawmakers try to please everyone with higher-ed overhaul
The Inquirer: Federal grants will renovate aging SEPTA power substation
The Inquirer: Push to privatize booze on hold in Pa.
The Inquirer: 14 Pa. abortion clinics licensed under new law
Daily News: City paid for Boathouse Row Cafe’s utilities

SEPA
Phillyburbs.com: Municipalities win award for public water project
Delco Daily Times: Local beer distributors voice opposition to LCB privatization
Montgomery Media: Commission votes down Westover sports complex plan

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: $8.1 million tax financing plan proposed for Gardens at Market Square
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: At Ravenstahl’s request, Pittsburgh council approves continuing development tax incentives
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Jane Orie request for release during appeal is denied
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Ethane tax credit ‘essential’ to state budget talks
Early Returns: One more year in prison added to Veon’s corruption sentence

Southwest
AP: Ex-Sen. Jane Orie wants out on bail while appealing corruption charges
Observer-Reporter: Lawmaker fighting for release of air data
Indiana Gazette: Marion Center: School board might vote for no tax increase
Indiana Gazette: Purchase Line: School directors adjust spending proposal

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Bethlehem area offering benefits to same-sex partners of employees
Reading Eagle: Top advocate gives up — for now — on liquor bill
Reading Eagle: Reading wants tougher enforcement of quality-of-life tickets
Reading Eagle: Gov. Mifflin teachers contract calls for pay raise, freeze
Reading Eagle: Gov. Mifflin School Board approves tax plan for development
WFMZ: Dollar General distribution center coming to Berks Co., bringing 500 jobs
WFMZ: Bethlehem Area School District residents will see higher tax bills
WFMZ: Pa. House OKs ban on `secret compartments’ in vehicles
South Whitehall Patch: Ignore a Flood Roadblock, Get Fined?
Express Times: Williams Township supervisors vote to repeal land preservation ordinances

NEPA
The Daily Review: Act 111 overhaul bill could curb union arbitration awards
The Daily Review: Chesapeake Energy announces upcoming roadwork in northern Pa.
Standard Speaker: Weatherly still buzzing over Romney’s visit
Citizens Voice: Push to privatize state liquor stores put on hold
The Times Leader: Experts assess Obama’s immigrant move
The Times Leader: Families in Greece hurting, locals say

South Central
York Daily Record: Witnesses describe Stetler decision on opposition research
York Daily Record: Bonusgate raises its head in Stetler trial
York Daily Record: Experts weigh in: a smart move for defense to mention DeWeese, Veon?
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Senate approves financial recovery bill that could lead to takeover of Harrisburg, other financially distressed school districts
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Senate judiciary committee forwards five judicial nominations

North By Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Muncy School District adopts no-tax-hike budget for 2012-13
Erie Times: Ex-judge Joyce disbarred over fraud conviction
Erie Times: House Oks ban on ‘secret compartments’ in vehicles
Sharon Harold: Eaton opens campaign office in run for 3rd district
Sharon Harold: District plans tax hike
Centre Daily Times: Philipsburg-Osceola school project gets OK from planners
AP: House takes up waiver of border environmental laws
AP:Top advocate gives up — for now — on liquor bill
Lewistown Sentinel: Board members vote on 2012-2013 spending plan proposals
Lewistown Sentinel: New sewer rate ordinance, billing changes adopted

Opinion
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Simple is better for Right to Know Law
The Inquirer: City parks need funds to avoid shabbiness
The Inquirer: Money’s power even bigger in elections
Daily News: 3 hikes and we’re out: City should start cutting
Daily News: AVI would be more unfair redistribution
Pottstown Mercury: Are voters really so dumb about economic matters?
Politico: Obama’s key swing voters are in EU
Roll Call: Barack Obama the Underdog Against ‘Change’ Slogan
Roll Call: Congressional Staffers Play Quiet, Vital Role

Blogs
Speaking Freely: Our common effort for ending mass incarceration
Keystone State Education Coalition: Is Pennsylvania the worst state?
Commonwealth Foundation: Kings of Cabernet caught grabbing grift, gifts, golf
2 Political Junkies: Won’t someone please think of the children?!
The Pennsylvania Progressive: News and Notes June 19, 2012
Keystone Progress: Lutheran Assembly cites human health concerns, advocacy for most vulnerable
Keystone Progress: Hipsters for Healthcare: The Affordable Healthcare Act saves young hipster $10,000 in medical debt
Keystone Politics: Tax credit may replace school vouchers, still a bad idea
Keystone Politics: End the sales tax giveaway
Keystone Politics: There’s no way around conflicts of interests at PA Liquor Control Board
John Hanger: New data documents Shale gas is difference between coal booming globally but busting in North America