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6/5 Morning Buzz

Who has two thumbs and a 95% chance of retaining his seat? This guy

Good morning, politicos, here’s the buzz. Sometimes fate delivers the perfect news, and that happened last night with the latest dispatch out of the Camp Hill prison. Meanwhile, a new anti-Corbett TV ad hits the air. And we have internal polling in the PA-6 race between Gerlach and Trivedi.

Bill DeWeese and John Perzel: Cellmates: This is actually happening. The former state House speakers – each convicted of corruption – are cellmates in a Camp Hill state prison. Via Capitolwire.

Anti-Corbett Group Strikes Again (Watch Video): The American Working Families Action Fund, a 501c4 founded by DC-based Democratic campaign operative Bud Jackson, is keeping up its TV assault on Gov. Tom Corbett. The group began a multi-market campaign last week and it continues today with a new spot.

Gerlach, Trivedi Release Dueling Internal Polls: The PA-6 race is either closely competitive or a runaway, depending on who you ask: Gerlach’s numbers show him up 30 points, Trivedi’s show just a 12 point gap.

Jane Orie Sentenced to Prison: The ex-Senator faces at least 2 and a half (and up to a decade) of prison time for charges related to illegal campaign activity, misuse of taxpayer resources and forgery.

Rendell: Hillary Likely to Run for President: Whether she wants to be president or not, Ed Rendell is already casting his support for Hillary Clinton 2016. The former Guv thinks she won’t be able to resist a run.

Freed Calls Kane “Pretty”; Dems Pounce: Pennsylvania Democrats and a women’s rights group are criticizing Republican Attorney General hopeful Dave Freed for his remark that his opponent, Kathleen Kane, is “pretty and has a lot of money.

New Obama Ad Blasts Romney as Guv: Obama wants Pennsylvania’s votes, and he isn’t letting up the pressure anytime soon as his campaign has released another ad in the Keystone state.

Rendell’s Book: What They’re Saying: Here’s the buzz, good and the bad, about “A Nation of Wusses.”

Legislative Election Updates

Campaign finance reports are finally available, so we have several stories about the candidates through May 14.

SD-13: Tom O’Brien, the Democrat challenging Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) will expand on his liberal stalwart stance in the south central PA district (49 percent GOP to 37.5 percent Dem). He’s appearing this morning at a solidarity rally in Lancaster supporting the recall of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. “Since the turn of the last century,” he said, “unions and the right to bargain collectively have raised the standard of living for middle-class working families. America’s middle class is the economic engine by which prosperity is generated here.”

SD-33: Sen. Rich Alloway (R-Franklin) has a healthy COH after a contested primary, $42K. He faces last-minute Democratic write-in candidate Bruce Neylon.

HD-89: The fundraising numbers are in, and Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) has a $51K to $7K lead over Democratic opponent Susan Spicka.

HD-116: Freshman Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), expect a call from the HRCC. Somehow the freshman who knocked off former Majority Leader Todd Eachus has only $5,700 in the bank, despite representing a D-leaning district (registration is 52.5 percent Dem, 37.7 percent GOP according to the good folks at Labels & Lists). Her opponent, Ransom Young, had about $4K on hand in a district that Dems want back.

HD-119: Rep. Gerald Mullery (D-Luzerne) isn’t much better. He took 52 percent of the vote against Rick Arnold in 2010, and has $7,200 on hand for the rematch.

HD-120: Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) has a healthy cash lead over Republican opponent Aaron Kaufer, $52K to $3,500. Mundy’s COH includes $100 from Kaufer’s aunt and uncle. Ouch.

National
The Caucus: Ad Watch: Obama Ad Airing in Pa. Focuses on Jobs in Romney Era
AP: Obama win could cost Romney $5M in personal taxes
AP: Obama urges Senate passage of equal pay bill
AP: High courts protects Secret Service agents
AP: Clinton: Romney would be ‘calamitous’ for US
AP: Obama a socialist? Many scoff, but claim persists
AP: GOP plays offense in medical device tax fight
AP: AdWatch: Obama hits Romney’s economic record
AP: Raking it in: Top CEO pay equals 3,489 years for typical worker
AP: Campaign 2012: how would candidates do in tax plans
AP: Farmers face squeeze in proposed subsidy cuts

Statewide
PA Independent: PSEA in-kinding $21K to defeat Scott Walker
Capitol Ideas: Rep. Vitali pushes for more funding for environmental programs
Capitol Ideas: Former Sen. Orie sentenced to 2.5-10 years in prison
Capitol Ideas: New house bill would tighten oversight of charter schools
Capitol Ideas: Former Gov. Ed Rendell: Why we’re wusses
Capitol Ideas: Monday Morning Coffee: Corbett cabinet secretaries reveal outside income
State House Sound Bites: Orie sentenced to jail: 2 ½ to 10 years
State House Sound Bites: PA’s May tax revenues below estimate by 2.3 percent
Capitolwire: Off the Floor: Former speakers Perzel and DeWeese are cellmates at Camp Hill Prison
Capitolwire: Change to charter school funding proposed, but charter supporters say it would “destroy” school choice
Capitolwire: Off the floor II: Teacher evaluations, charter reforms, corrections complete for Gov’s June priority list
Capitolwire: Off the Floor: Gov’s $1.65 billion ethane cracker deal makes budget trickier
Capitolwire: May revenue collections not likely to change budget negotiations
Capitolwire: PA employers would see some changes due to proposed unemployment trust fund bill
Capitolwire: Legislature wants answers, facts on $1.65 billion cracker tax credit
Capitolwire: Bill to address PA $3.9 billion UC debt to feds near Senate approval
AP: Expert: Pa. to stay atop in gas industry

Philadelphia
Daily News: Shell game! Corbett’s “cracked” scheme to give away your cash to an oil giant
Inquirer: Clarke again key to City Hall compromise
Inquirer: Casey pushes Social Security reforms to prevent another Tacony dungeon case
Philly.com: PA wants to give oil giant a $1.7B tax break: Update
Daily News: In state budget battle, it’s Republican vs. Republicans
Philly Clout: Nutter to headline “Sugary Drinks Summit”
Philly Clout: Council and state lawmakers talk budget
PhillyNow: Northeast PA White Supremacist Elected to GOP Committee May Have Philly Connections
PhillyNow: Big Beverage, Big Spenders in Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia Budget Inching Towards the Finish Line
WHYY Newsworks: Pennsylvania governor seeks huge tax breaks for Shell
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. legislative leaders bringing budget plan to Corbett
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. oversight board chair says City Council should approve property tax plan

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Rhoads resigns unexpectedly from Pottstown Borough Council
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. ex-senator Orie gets prison in corruption case
AP: Pa. lawmakers return to Harrisburg for full plate
Phillyburbs: Pa. lawmakers return to Harrisburg for full plate
Phillyburbs: Occupy movement plans national gathering in Philly
Delco Daily Times: Ex-state Sen. Jane Orie faces corruption sentence today
Delco Daily Times: Ex-Pa. Sen. Jane Orie gets 2-1/2 to 10 years for corruption
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Democrats call on Gov. Corbett to delay business tax cuts, restore funding to schools, human services
Buck Local News: Congressman Fitzpatrick calls for long-term extension of flood insurance program, pushes Senate to pass it

Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Corbett pitches credits, refunds for petro plants
Tribune-Review: Proposed Shell tax break worth $67 million a year
Post-Gazette: Corbett seeking $1.675 billion tax break deal for Shell
Post-Gazette: Has Pa. high court lost deciding vote with Justice Orie Melvin?
Early Returns: Rising Republicans look to remake ranks in Senate
Early Returns: Chesapeake Energy to get four new board members
Early Returns: Obama camp: Pa. leans their way
Early Returns: WashPost takes on Fayette County
Early Returns: New Obama ad hits Romney gubernatorial record

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Washington County Judge Pozonsky stripped of criminal cases
Indiana Gazette: GOP on offense in fight over medical device tax
Beaver County Times: Legislators react to proposed cracker deal

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council solicitor defends proposed pay raise
Times-Tribune: GOP statehouse rule faces test this month
Times News: Special Towamensing meeting concerns recycling
Citizens Voice: DCNR to collect money from drillers who harvest gas under public streams

South Central
Lancaster New Era: Manheim council views Logan Logan Park improvement plan
York Daily Record: York 912 Patriots to hold town hall meeting Thursday on property tax reform
Harrisburg Patriot News: Altoona joins Harrisburg and 25 other Pennsylvania municipalities in receiving state help with a financial recovery plan
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg City Council condemns Gov. Tom Corbett for “display of willful ignorance” related to debt crisis
Harrisburg Patriot News:Pa. House member introduces bill to change charter school funding formula
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s luster fades in presidential contest
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Local GOP incumbents are solid financially going to November race
AP: Pa. ex-senator Orie gets prison in corruption case
AP: 2 ex-guards set for pleas in Erie inmate beating
AP: Gov. Tom Corbett takes heat for advocating a $67M tax break for Shell Oil

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Cummings goes on the offensive in the 17th district
Morning Call: Romney, Obama again hit each other’s jobs records in Pennsylvania
WFMZ: Deal remains elusive on privatizing liquor sales

North by Northwest
AP: Proposed Shell tax break worth $67 million per year

Opinion
Lebanon Daily News: Bottoms Up
Lancaster New Era: Let’s put gov’t ‘body’ on a diet
Harrisburg Patriot News: Caught in the act? It’s not likely, thanks to the state’s weak and ineffective no-texting ban
Times News: State Police
Standard Speaker: Legislators’ pension bill won’t correct current problem
Reading Eagle: Series points out urgent need to address school funding
Observer-Reporter: Editorial: Poll numbers worthless right now
Altoona Mirror: Editorial: Stamp out fraud tied to food aid

Blogs
CasablancaPA: To Reimburse, or Not to Reimburse
Speaking Freely: Prosecutors seeking expansion of government surveillance power
Commonwealth Foundation: Top-10 Reasons to Choose Booze or Lose
Commonwealth Foundation: Taking the Road Less Traveled: Fostering Private Charity Care
PA Budget and Policy Center: Statement: Billion Dollar Tax Break for Shell a Bad Deal for Taxpayers
PA Budget and Policy Center: School Property Tax Would Have Unintended Consequences
NEPArtisan: Scranton Makes Pay Cuts But 1 Person Gets a 67% Raise
NEPArtisan: PA-AG: Republican Nominee Freed Demeans Kane
The Pennsylvania Progressive: News & Notes June 4, 2012
Keystone Politics: Decarcerate Jane Orie
Keystone Politics: Is the Ethane Cracker Worth a $1.7 Billion Tax Giveaway to Shell
Keystone Politics: Do You Want a Soda Tax, or Higher Property Taxes?
Keystone Politics: Stay Classy Dave Freed
Keystone Politics: What Progressives Should Be Looking for in the #PABudget
Keystone Conservative: PA Attorney General Race gets Pretty?

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  • Do you agree that ByteDance should be forced to divest TikTok?


    • Yes. It's a national security risk. (60%)
    • No. It's an app used by millions and poses no threat. (40%)
    • What's ByteDance? (0%)

    Total Voters: 30

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