The $27.15 billion budget agreement is moving forward, with no apparent dealbreakers waiting in the wings (Marcellus?). Check out our roundup of the weekend’s budget coverage, featuring weekend coverage from Best Overall PA Political Blog Capitol Ideas and updates from yesterday’s rare Sunday session.

Don’t miss our coverage of President Obama’s visit to CMU on Friday. Here’s our report from the event; the conference call with RNC Chair Reince Priebus seeking to preempt the event; and our analysis as to why southwest PA will be an important battleground (bellweather?) in 2012. Finally, read our tribute to the gallant souls at Pittsburgh Public Works who rescued our writer from automotive calamity, and delivered her safely to the event.

Speaking of the Steel City, our friends at the Post-Gazette have an interesting update about the rumors that Auditor General (and former City Councilman) Jack Wagner may make a run for Pittsburgh Mayor. Wagner won’t rule it out.

Eugene DePasquale, King of Twitter? In a weekend column on lawmakers and social media, Heather Long at the Patriot News gave the dubious distinction to the York State Rep (and candidate for Auditor General). Her piece also features Twitterers Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) and Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia).

For those of you who read Deadspin, a few familiar faces popped up on the site this weekend.

And in case you missed Friday’s Ups and Downs…

PoliticsPA Reports

Weekend Budget Updates
The $27.15 billion budget deal inched forward in a rare Sunday session. Here are the weekend budget headlines.

President Obama Emphasizes Manufacturing During Speech At CMU
The President laid out his new manufacturing policy at CMU’s robotics center in Lawrenceville.

Obama Visit To Pittsburgh Highlights 2012 Swing Area
Obama’s speech Friday at CMU was the latest chapter in his charm offensive in Southwest PA. The region will be a major swing area in 2012.

RNC Chair Priebus: “Republicans Will Win Pa. In 2012”
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus boldly predicted that Pennsylvania a become a red state in 2012, in advance of President Obama’s speech at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Thanks, Pittsburgh Public Works!
The harrowing tale of a Presidential visit, a PoliticsPA writer, and a broken down Pontiac Sunfire.

Post-Gazette: Jack Wagner Considering Run For Mayor Of Pittsburgh
State Auditor General Jack Wagner said Friday he is considering a run for mayor of Pittsburgh against Luke Ravenstahl.

In case you missed it, here are last week’s Up & Downs.

National
Inquirer: Soon to be Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates To Receive Liberty Medal
Politico: Huntsman yet to live up to hype – Michele Bachmann ties Romney in first big Iowa poll – Officially announces her candidacy tomorrow – Maureen Dowd labels Obama ‘Bi,’ for being on all sides
Politico: Draft Santorum link in Huntsman hit?
Politico: Santorum backers linked to Huntsman attack
Politico: Obama: Invest in manufacturing
Roll Call: GOP Wary of Repeating Redraw Overreach in Pa.
Washington Post: Obama to meet with key lawmakers on debt reduction
The Hill: Lawmakers work to prevent need for U.S. Postal Service bailout
The Patriot: Fox News commentator Glenn Beck says he could kiss Rick Santorum ‘in the mouth’

Statewide
Deadspin: Bernard Hopkins wore Goofy glasses to address the Pennsylvania state legislature
Pennsylvania Independent: House advances university funding bills
Pennsylvania Independent: Liquor laws to change if governor signs legislation
Capitol Ideas: Sunday Night Budget Wrap
Capitol Ideas: Sunday Afternoon Budget Update: Senate To Take Up College Funding Bills With 19 Percent Reductions
Capitol Ideas: The Sunday Brunch: Gov. Corbett’s Pledge Peril
Capitol Ideas: AFSCME, SEIU Contract Terms Disclosed
Capitol Ideas: Anyone Remember The Independent Fiscal Office?
Capitol Ideas: Tea-Time Budget Update
Capitol Ideas: School Funding Picture In Budget Gets Clarified
Inquirer: Gov. Corbett May Get Most Budget Items On His Wish List
AP via Inquirer: State Dems Emphasize Budget Surplus
Commonwealth Confidential: Sen. Hughes Predicts $700M Budget Surplus, Urges GOP To Restore Cuts
Commonwealth Confidential: Temple, Lincoln, Penn State funding (mostly) restored
Capitol Ideas: What Cities In Pa. Can and Cannot Declare Bankruptcy?
WHYY Newsworks: Voter ID Legislation Has Skeptic In Philly
Fox Philadelphia: 16 Three Mile Island Sirens Do Not Work During 1st Attempt of Annual Test
Inquirer: Notaries Connected To Alleged Election Fraud Step Down
PhillyNow: Can Pa. Bars Be Charged For A Patron’s DUI?
Reading Eagle: John Forester: Republicans vs. Republicans
Erie Times: Pennsylvania Budget on Path to Approval
Philly.com: Corbett: Bite, or Just Bark?
State Column: Sen. Bob Casey Applauds Pennsylvania’s Ban on Bath Salts
Morning Call: Analysis: Corbett’s no-tax-hike pledge peril
AP via Daily Item: State legislators crunching the numbers in Harrisburg today
AP via Patriot: Natural gas tax proposal, college funds take spotlight in Pennsylvania budget talks
Patriot News: GOP wields the power in state budget talks
Patriot News: Pennsylvania Legislature likely won’t consider all of Corbett’s agenda before summer recess

Philly
Daily News: Mayor Nutter and Cabinet Forgo Cost of Living Increase but Some Elected Officials Are Not So Sure
PhillyNow: City Council Urges Mayor Nutter To End Relationship With Immigration and Custom Enforcement
Inquirer: School District Has 5 Days To Approve Cost Cutting Measures With Unions
Daily News: City Council Summer Progress Report
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA’s Rainy Day Fund Filled After Increased Winter Spending
Inquirer: Veteran Phila. Prosecutor Resigns With No Explanation
Inquirer: Nutter And Vento Trying Burying The Spatula
Philly.com: Area Votes in Congress, Brady Reports In

Philly Suburbs
Tribune-Review: Residents Get Inside Look at Former NUMEC Facility, Rep. John Murtha Remembered
Pottsmerc: Castor, Brown Fire First Salvo of Campaign
Pottsmerc: Lump sum goes in government workers’ checks
Bucks Local News: Council Rock School Board holds $198 million budget to zero mill tax increase
Bucks Local News: Pennsbury School Board approves 2011-12 budget, borrows over $3 million from savings

Pittsburgh
PA State News: Wagner Considers Run For Mayor
Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Jack Wagner considers run for mayor
Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Butler county commissioner resigns
CBS-KDKA: President’s visit reflects re-election politics
CBS-KDKA: President Obama pushes for advanced manufacturing

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: PA Bars to Get More Time For Specials: Rep. Payne and Rep Dauphin Remark
Altoona Mirror: City Officials Worry About Changes in Law
Daily American: Stimulus Includes Funds for Rural Internet Access
Daily American: Business Flexibility
Tribune-Review: EPA to Study Washington County Fracking
Tribune-Review: Doctors, Patinents Caught In Feud Over West Penn Buyout, Experts Say: Sen. Ferlo Comments
Observer-Reporter: Legislature Mulls Hunting Issues: Rep. Cutler and Rep. Staback On The Issue
WJAC: Blair Co. Judge Grants Injunction to Ban Synthetic Drugs

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Rep. Brennan fell in parking lot before DUI arrest, Bethlehem police say
Morning Call: DA: get rid of bath salts, synthetic drugs, before law is enforced
Reading Eagle: State education secretary questions teacher evaluations

South Central
York Daily Record: Platts, main sponsor of FDA cigarette warning label, hope images deter kids from smoking
Patriot News: Bankruptcy might not be an option for Harrisburg
Patriot News: Pennsylvania Senate likely to vote on bill to require Act 47
Patriot News: Commentary: Lawyer wants to fight for Harrisburg
Patriot News: Act 47 team’s plan suggests considering change in government
Patriot News: Protest planned in Harrisburg against Piccola takeover bill
York Dispatch: Grove defends voter ID bill after raucous session in House
Lebanon Daily News: W. Cornwall tables zoning changes
Lebanon Daily News: City pursues economic revitalization

NEPA
Times Leader: Filing Links Skrep to Juvie
Times Leader: Sportsmen keep eye on drillers
Times Leader: Voter ID would cause extra red tape for Amish
Times Leader: Education cuts in Pa. state budget not as steep as governor proposed
AP via Times Leader: AP Poll – Americans are divided on debt crisis
Times Leader: Democrats knock Marino for Trip
Times Leader: Govt. Witness intimidation probed
Times Leader: No law guides cleanup of meth labs in state
Times Leader: Pa. voter ID bill is praised, planned
Citizens Voice: Three picked for open Republican Lackawanna County commissioner spot
Wayne Independent: Senator Casey – Questions unanswered about Obama Troop Plan
Wayne Independent: Pa. budget deal means big cuts for universities
WNEP: Lackawanna County Leaders Review Contracts
Go Lackawanna: Sitting Commissioners address controversy
Go Lackawanna: Convicted Munchak resigns via letter
Go Lackawanna: Expert – corruption breeds battle of ethics, economic

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: G.T. talks the talk, walks the walk on Capitol Hill
Sun Gazette: Legislators concerned with troop withdrawls
Statecollege.com Penn State funding cut could be eased under House legislation
Centre Daily Times: The land of opportunity: In Philipsburg, 1 tax-free zone flourishes while other idles
Courier Express: BASD school taxes to increase
Erie Times News Ex-secretary in Springfield Township headed for court in embezzlement case

Opinions
The Big Tent: Glenn Beck Hearts Rick Santorum
Baer Growls: Bed, Bath Salts and Beyond
Heather Long, Patriot News: Forget Anthony Weiner, Twitter is here to stay
Patriot News Editorial: State employees too slow to share sacrifice
Altoona Mirror Editorial: Expected mixed reaction
Tribune-Democrat Editorial: Unemployment a Drain On Individuals, Government
Tribune-Review Editorial: What a drag: Dems & redistricting
Robin L. Quillon, Tribune-Democrat: Buckling Down in Harrisburg
Lehigh Valley Independent: Is Shale Gas a Bubble?
Daily Review Editorial: Distressed cities law needs revision
Carl Leubsdorg, Times Leader: Huntsman starts shaping his GOP image
Kevin Blaum, Times Leader: Reapportionment rumors shouldn’t become reality
Observer-Reporter Editorial: Lower voter turnout object of House bill
TBO Editorial: Amtrak proposal not ready to leave station
Early Returns Blog: Jack versus Luke
Pittsburgh Tribune Review Editorial: Another labor sop: Bum’s rush
Pittsburgh Tribune Review Editorial: The marijuana bill
Susan Saladoff, Politico: Signing away constitutional rights
Stuart Rothenberg, Roll Call: Who Lost the New Hampshire GOP Debate? Me
Letter to the Editor, Politico: Letter to the editor: Don’t ignore natural gas
Steve Malanga, The Wall Street Journal: The Local Government Pension Squeeze
Public Opinion Editorial: PO EDITORIAL: Why would state lie about drillers’ jobs impact?
Letter to the Editor, Public Opinion: Popular vote bill a non-starter