Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

Hope all the dads out there had a nice, relaxing weekend filled with cookouts and new neck ties.

Arlen Specter thinks Congress should intervene in the NFL lockout. In an op-ed to the New York Times, the former Senator argued that the government should use its leverage over the NFL – namely the antitrust exemptions it grants the league – to force the owners and players’ union into last-best-offer binding arbitration.

Fresh off the bipartisan success of unemployment compensation reform, negotiators in Harrisburg predict that they will pass a state budget on time and on target: $27.3 billion.

Jack Stollsteimer, the Democratic recruit in PA-7, met with Nancy Pelosi and Debbie Wasserman Schultz earlier this month. Meanwhile alternate PA-7 recruit Joe Sestak is keeping up ties with donors this week.

Rick Santorum is challenging 2012 front runner Mitt Romney over the pro-life Susan B. Anthony’s List pledge, even as he comes in second to the former MA Gov in a Poll of PA Republicans.

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

PoliticsPA Reports

Specter: Congress Should Intervene to End NFL Lockout
In an op-ed to the New York Times this weekend, the long-serving U.S. Senator urged Congressional action to solve the seemingly intractable National Football League players’ strike and owners’ lockout.

In the Nick Of Time, Gov. Corbett Extends Job Benefits
Within hours of receiving it yesterday, Governor Corbett signed a bill to reform the state’s unemployment compensation system.

Santorum Hammers Romney Over Pro-Life Pledge; Trails Him in PA Poll
Santorum released a statement criticizing Republican front-runner Mitt Romney for not signing  a pro-life pledge, as Romney leads him in the latest PA poll.

Phila. City Council Again Spurns Mayor Nutter’s Soda Tax Plan, But Compromises on Property Tax Hike
PoliticsPA presents a brief history of the much-maligned soda tax in Philadelphia — from its introduction last year to a rowdy day of negotiations and demonstrations in City Hall on Thursday.

Post-Gazette: President Obama to Return to Carnegie Mellon to Highlight Importance of Manufacturing
Little more than a year after delivering a speech at Carnegie Mellon University’s Wiegand Gymnasium, President Barack Obama is planning to return to CMU on Friday, June 24 to discuss the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. economy.

Stollsteimer Meets With Pelosi, Sestak Meets with Donors
Prospective PA-7 candidate Jack Stollsteimer met with Nancy Pelosi and Debbie Wasserman Schultz earlier this month, while Joe Sestak is meeting with past donors to say thanks.

6/17 Ups & Downs
An Up and a Down for Medicare-related news; labor unions; and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Check em out.

National
All Around Philly: Republican Candidates Jostle Over Who is Toughest
The Big Tent: Santorum Hits Romney For Not Signing Anti-Abortion Pledge
Post Gazette: Foreign policy lags economy in rresidential campaigning
Roll Call: Home State Blues: 2012 Contenders Have Tough Climb
Roll Call: Party Boss Brady Draws Primary Challenger
Roll Call: Santorum Staffs Up With Loyalists
Roll Call: Casey Looks Strong as GOP Search Continues
Tribune-Review: In State Poll, Obama Ahead of Romney, Santorum

Statewide
The Patriot News: Pennsylvania budget negotiators could reach spending deal by week’s end
Pottstown Mercury: Lawmakers can address inequity in cuts to schools
Carlisle Sentinel: Budget talks heat up, drilling tax bills pile up
Giant’s Football Blog: Former Senator Says Congress Should Intervene in Labor Dispute
Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Rendell on funding public education: ‘I will dramatically increase state aid.’
Philadelphia Inquirer: Area Votes in Congress

Philly
Philly Inquirer: How Philadelphia’s City Council decided on a property-tax boost
Philly Clout: Nutter Elected VP of US Conference of Mayors
Philly Now: Bob Casey Votes Against Ethanol Subsidy Repeal. What? (Updated)
FOX Philly: Council Voted to keep DROP program
FOX Philly: Are the taxes too damn high in Philly?
Philly Daily News: How Mayor Nutter’s soda-tax proposal lost out to property tax
The Daily Times: Challenger to face U.S. Rep. Brady

Philly Suburbs
The Mercury: Proposed bill would attempt to end teacher strikes
The Mercury: House Leader expected to endorse compromise school choice bill
Philly Burbs: Referendum won’t decide fate of runway
Daily Times: SIMPLER shale bill making progress
Daily Times: Budget talks heat up in Harrisburg
Bucks Local News: Lawmaker Steve Santarsiero presents $2 million state grant for Lower Makefield projects
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners reiterate commitment to green infrastructure

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Dennis Regan Discusses Politics & New Development
KDKA: County Council Members Talk Local Issues
Tribune Review: Attorney back in race for Fayette DA
Tribune Review:  Obama coming to Pittsburgh next Friday
Tribune Review: Allegheny County executive candidates funding themselves

Southwest
WJAC: Temporary Injunction Bans Sale Of Bath Salts, Synthetic Marijuana In Blair County
The Tribune Democrat: Sam Valenty ballot challenge still has merit
Observer-Reporter: Campaign spending tallied
Observer Reporter: Ringgold to end term with $3.5M surplus
Observer Reporter: Taxes expected to increase in Peters Township schools
Altoona Mirror: Elected officials put priority on quality time with their kids
Altoona Mirror: County bans sale of Blizzard
Altoona Mirror: Hollidaysburg Borough may adopt ethics code

NEPA
The Times Leader: Barletta out to his old ball game
The Citizens Voice: Protest crashes RiverFest
Go Lackwanna: Council comments further on Renda appointment
Go Lackwanna: On defense, Munchak made admissions as Cordaro attacked
The Daily Review: Towanda School District may institute student activity fee, increase gate fee
The Times Leader: Freezing salaries little help to budget

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Unemployment benefits preserved
Morning Call: Lawmakers vote to ban bath salts, fake pot
Morning Call: Unemployment benefits in Senate hands: House passage moves 13-week extension closer to reality
Lehigh Valley Live: Sen. Bob Casey to tour Bethlehem chemical-making facility

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Shultz resigns Borough presidency (keeps seat on council)
Carlisle Sentinel: Closing arguments set in Pa. corruption trial |
York Daily Record: Sen. Bob Casey visits York County electronics manufacturer
Harrisburg Patriot News: Midstate teachers say anger over salaries is misdirected
Lebanon Daily News: Commissioner candidates spent thousands
Gettysburg Sun Gazette: Adams makes mint off pillow tax?
Gettysburg Sun Gazette: Vote might save cash
Gettysburg Sun Gazette: Senate hopeful blasts trade policies

North by Northwest
Erie Times News: Census: Erie County single-person households are growing trend
Centre Daily Times: More firearms signage possible for local parks
Centre Daily Times: New EPA standards challenge farmers

Opinions
Salena Zito, Tribune Review: What Obama has here is a failure to communicate
Post Gazette Editorial: Rich pool: Now more than ever, tax Marcellus Shale
Post Gazette Editorial: Costly opinion: The city and state need an outside budget expert?
Colin McNickle, The Tribune Review: Unemployment comp extension was bad decision
Joseph Sabino Mistick, The Tribune Review:  The bare truth
Chris W. Bonneau, Post-Gazzette: Elected judges are fine
Pat Toomey, Morning Call: Restore fiscal health, grow U.S. economy
Lehigh Valley Independent: Planned Parenthood Says Bob Mensch Bill Threatens Abortion Access
Kathryn Lopez, Pottstown Mercury: A different Kind of Father’s day
Chambersburg Public Opinion: An apparently brief respite for exploited animals
Harrisburg Patriot News: Mayor Linda Thompson: Shared sacrifice will move city toward fiscal solvency
The Daily American: Deterring Crime
The Citizens Voice: Tackle immigration reform issue by issue
The Daily Review: Capitol Matters: Slicing the political pie