As the budget clock counts down, PoliticsPA will bring you a special run down and summary of budget news from the past day. Here’s the second installment, in which a possible “handshake agreement” and DPW cuts are discussed.

Yesterday we broke the news that Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia) will take the reins of the House Dem Campaign Committee when current Chairman Mike Gerber (D-Montgomery) steps aside this month. It’s a tough road ahead for the Dems, who feel buoyed by the budget debate. And for good measure, the committee will move toward a organizational style closer to their Republican counterparts.

Former Utah Gov and U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman announced his presidential candidacy yesterday, and our former Senator did his damnedest to rain on the parade. He released a (admittedly hilarious) spoof of Huntsman’s desert motorcycle videos. Suffice it to say it has a very… Brabender-esque quality.

PoliticsPA Reports

PA’s Best Political Blogs
Here they are, based on your suggestions: Pennsylvania’s best political blogs.

6/21 Budget Rundown
A possible “handshake agreement,” and big cuts proposed to DPW.

Exclusive: Boyle To Chair HDCC
State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Phila) will take the reins of the House Democratic Campaign Committee upon the departure of Chairman Mike Gerber later this month.

Santorum Video Spoofs Huntsman
Santorum’s video parodies the motorcycle web ads released by Jon Huntsman in advance of today’s presidential announcement.

Former Gov. Rendell Supports U.S. Rep. Shuster’s Proposal To Privitize Amtrak On The Northeast Corridor
Shuster’s plan to allow private companies to bid on the Northeast corridor of Amtrak has found an unlikely supporter in former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

NRSC Video Zings Casey
The video is called “Democrats’ Budget Plan – ‘Blank Check,’” and shows a 2006 Casey campaign ad in which the Senator said the government should “live within its means,” like a small business would.

National
National Journal: The GOP’s Redistricting Advantage (PA is the case in point)
Pennsylvania Ave.: Santorum Hits Huntsman on Abortion
Pennsylvania Ave.: Obama to Pittsburgh on Friday To Discuss Jobs
PR Newswire: New U.S. Cigarette Warnings Show and Tell the Deadly Truth about Smoking, Will Boost Efforts to Prevent Kids from Smoking, Encourage Smokers to Quit
Politico: Rick Santorum Video: ‘Just Like Mitt Romney…’
Early Returns: Daily Santorum:  Glamorous Life
FiveThirtyEight: Let’s Keep Talking About Redistricting (Tim Holden being drawn into Republican district)
Washington Post: Mayor of PA. Capital Vows 3-Day Fast for Unity in Face of Financial Crisis

Statewide
ABC: PA House Bill Would Create Tuition Voucher Program
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Anti-Electoral College bill gathers support in the Pennsylvania legislature
Early Returns: SEIU Rallies On Budget, Contract
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. budget negotiators press for deal with Corbett
Lancaster Era: PA NEWSMAKERS: Marcellus Shale, Union Contract Negotiations
NBC Philadelphia: NJ Fights Pa. Over Pollution
Golackawanna.com: Report: Gas drilling created nowhere near 48,000 jobs in PA

Philly
Beaumont Enterprise: Contract talks to resume for Pa state workers
Philly.com: Poor targeted in Pa. Budget
Philly.com: PA House Moves Toward Bill To Require Voter ID
Philly Weekly: Bill to expand Gun rights at your “castle” headed to Gov. Corbett’s desk
WHYY Newsworks: Philly agrees to monitoring of police stops
CBS Philly: Mayor Urges Low-Income Families To Take Advantage Of Summer Meals Program For Kids
CBS Philly:Philadelphia Earned Sick Leave Legislation Awaits Mayor’s Signature or Veto
CBS Philly: Corbett expected to sign bill expanding use of deadly force in self-defense

Philly Suburbs
The Mercury: Bill seeks in-state tuition for illegal immigrants
The Mercury: State budget negotiations close to wrapping up
The Mercury: Bill to limit civil lawsuit liability set for vote
The Mercury: Pa. House takes up photo ID requirement for voters
The Mercury: Sen. McCain under fire for blaming blazes on on immigrants
Philly Burbs: Employee benefits reforms will provide little immediate property tax relief
Philly Burbs: Former Bedminster supervisor ‘not a lame duck kind of guy’
Daily Times: Kirkland – We have to educate our kids
The Montgomery Times: Norristown eyed as potential location for South Korean university

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Pittsburgh could lead United States in speed of recovery
Post Gazette: Feds investigating Allegheny County Jail
Post Gazette: State workers rally as contract talks proceed
Post Gazette: VanKirk replaces Raja as Mt. Lebanon commissioner
Post Gazette: 105 in dog years? Councilwoman wants change in pet licensing
Post Gazette: Upper St. Clair continues tweaking budget, making cuts
KDKA: FDA Requires Graphic Warnings On Cigarette Packages
KDKA: National NAACP Wants DA To Bring Charges In Jordan Miles Case
Early Returns: @GovernorCorbett is following you
Early Returns: Boyle to Chair state HDCC
Early Returns: Budget countdown: 9 days

Southwest
Daily American: Rockwood passes budget with no tax increase
WJAC: Proposed Water Release At Popular Recreation Hot Spot Raises Concerns
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Penn State cuts 15 from outreach, pub. broadcasting

Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley Live: Warren County Democrats choose new chairman, plan for future
Lehigh Valley Live: Saucon Valley Education Association only district employees holding out on 2012-2013 pay freeze
Lehigh Valley Live: Easton Area School Board member Sarah Bilotti to resign; her seat will be on November ballot
Morning Call: More protection or violence?As Castle Doctrine moves to Corbett’s desk, the bill’s real-world impact remains unclear
Morning Call: AARP relents on Social Security benefit cuts
WFMZ: Bethlehem Passes Anti-Discrimination Ordnance

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland Valley school budget passes with 2.4 percent tax increase
York Dispatch: Dover approves budget with 1 percent tax hike
York Daily Record: Central York approves $72 million budget with no property-tax hike
Gettysburg Sun Gazette: Mason-Dixon appeals slots decision

NEPA
Times-Leader: Report: Gas drilling created nowhere near 48,000 jobs in PA
Times-Leader: CityVest, county rap audit of Sterling project
Citizens Voice: Convicted Lakawanna commissioner will step down
Pocono Record: Senators advocate Monroe redistricting hearing
Times Leader: Barletta knocks immigrant status bill
WNEP: Split verdicts reached at Cordaro, Munchak trial
Cumberland Times: City sets rates for tax, sewer
Standard Speaker: Barletta likes e-verify, opposes e-verify bill
Citizens Voice: Marino touts bill to level playing field for independent pharmacies

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council to vote, again, on borrowing paving money
Centre Daily Times: Centre County grows into fourth-class county
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Taxes going up in Muncy Area School District
StateCollege: PSU announces 15 layoffs

Opinions
Baer Growls: Shooting Flies with Shotguns on the State Budget
Lowman S. Henry, The Mercury: School Choice turns to ‘Tower of Babble’
Donna Brazile, Daily Times: Bachmann ready to get her hair combed?
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Budget work must reflect drilling tax support
The Patriot News: Make an impact: Stop watering down the Marcellus Shale fee
The Patriot News: These numbers don’t lie: School vouchers are Pennsylvania’s only choice
The Patriot News: Environmental protection must be adequately funded
The Patriot News: Forget about party lines and vote for the right person
Politico: A distraction? Only from Democrats’ empty agenda
Pocono Record: Beware ongoing Mercury in air, water pollution
Tribune Review Editorial: A shovel-ready punch line
Tribune Review Editorial: PNC goes shopping: A major deal
Tribune Review Editorial: Summer Shorts
Tribune Review Editorial: Tuesday Takes
Tribune Review Editorial:  Greensburg Tuesday Takes
Observer-Reporter: New zone is right move
Post Gazette Editorial: Drilling sickness: Corbett’s health secretary is right to seek more data
Post Gazette Editorial: Focus on justice: A new report addresses flaws in judicial discipline