Good morning, politicos, here’s the buzz. There was a flurry of politics yesterday, and this morning we have more about those F&M poll results, details on Michelle Obama’s visit to Philly, and FreedomWorks backing Tom Smith.

Poll: Casey 42, Smith 21: Tom Smith has some catching up to do. According to the Franklin and Marshall poll released this morning, incumbent Senator Bob Casey leads his Republican challenger by 21 points. However, 35 percent of voters remain undecided.

Poll: Corbett Net Loss, Gay Marriage Net Gain: The height of election season is approaching, and pollsters are turning up the heat as it approaches. A new Franklin & Marshall College Opinion Research poll shows people warming up to the idea of same-sex marriages, and giving their opinions on the budget, their finances and Gov. Tom Corbett.

Equal Pay Act Instantly Resurrected as Campaign Issue: The Democrat-backed Paycheck Fairness Act fell short of cloture Tuesday, with Dems saying Romney and the right have failed women and Republicans calling the act a political stunt. Sens. Casey and Toomey split on the measure and it’s already become a campaign issue.

First Lady Stumps for Husband in Philadelphia: Although Pennsylvania was a big victory for Obama in 2008, Romney is still hoping to win the Keystone State this time around, and so the more popular Obama, First Lady Michelle, spoke at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia Tuesday.

Trivedi, Gerlach Camps Release Memos Defending Polls: Quick follow-up on PoliticsPA’s Monday report about the large discrepancies in internal polling between Rep. Jim Gerlach and his opponent Manan Trivedi in PA-6. Trivedi’s campaign has fired back since our first report, questioning the reliability of Gerlach’s polling numbers.

FreedomWorks Airs School Choice Radio Ad, Endorses Smith for Senate: Conservative PAC FreedomWorks is launching an intensive ad campaign costing between $500,000 and $1 million and aimed to “pressure state lawmakers…to pass a school choice bill” this June, and also endorsing Sen. Bob Casey’s opponent, Tea Party-backed Tom Smith.

Legislative Election Update

SD-40: Paging Jason Altmire? The Post-Gazette is reporting that no Dem has yet stepped forward and made his or her candidacy official for ex-Sen. Jane Orie’s seat. The GOP has Melissa Hart, but the Dems’ 2010 candida Dan DeMarco is AWOL. So imagine an epic rematch between former congressional rivals Altmire and Hart. Now that would spice up the summer.

HD-148: Rep. Mike Gerber’s (D-Montco) opponent is taking a few weeks away from the campaign trail. Montco Sheriff Deputy Mike Ludwig, the Republican who was knocked off the ballot but then won on the GOP write-in, is heading to Ft. Leavenworth for training. He’s in the Army National Guard. “I fought hard to get back on the ballot, and I hit the ground running – I have visited almost 1,000 homes so far in the campaign, and the response has been terrific.  My wife, Karen, and a group of volunteers will be knocking on doors and talking to voters while I’m gone, and I look forward to hitting the campaign trail even harder when I get back,” said Ludwig in a press release.

National
Politico: Poll: Obama by 12 in Pennsylvania
Politico: Obama leads 48-36 in Pennsylvania, poll finds
The Morning Call: ABC News: Santorum to start social issues nonprofit
The Morning Call: Obama holds steady lead over Romney among Pennsylvania voters
The Hill: In PA, Romney warns of “devastating” card check

Statewide
AP: House Oks $4.5 billion to repay jobless benefits
AP: House debates ‘payday lending’ bill
AP: Suit over Pa. Marcellus Shale law goes to judges
AP: Jury selection starts in ex-rep’s corruption trial
AP: Obama Highlighting student loan repayment option
AP: Cruel June for Obama and Dems, could get worse
Capitol Ideas: Tea-time budget update: Republicans, Corbett continue talks
Capitol Ideas: House signs off on $4.5B in bonds to pay off unemployment debt, eligibility fixes
Capitol Ideas: House Republicans caucusing on liquor privatization
Capitol Ideas: Central PA United Way says new poll underlines public opposition to human service cuts
PA Independent: School supporters push for funding as PA lawmakers negotiate
StateImpactPA: Commonwealth court hears impact fee arguments
StateImpactPA: Pennsylvania set to dole out $20 million for natural gas-fueled vehicles
StateImpactPA: Exxon Mobil warns red tape risks snuffing out gas boom
StateImpactPA: Drill Bits: Corbett defends Shell tax breaks; budget talks inch forward
Capitolwire: Education block grant, conservation fund among items restored by house
Capitolwire: Corbett’s corrections reform proposals get one step closer to his desk
Capitolwire: House panel reports out performance-based budget bill, concerns over IFO language

Philadelphia
Daily News: In Philly, first lady roots for her husband
Daily News: City Council likely to move toward budget plan
Inquirer: Suit: Philly school closing policy an attempt to “dismantle traditional public schools”
KYW Newsradio: Rash Of High-Profile Trials Has Some Wondering If It’s Time For Pennsylvania Courts To Allow Cameras
KYW Newsradio: First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks To Philadelphia Supporters About Campaign Ahead
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. moves to settle $3.8 billion debt with U.S.
WHYY Newsworks: Michelle Obama fires up crowd at Philly campaign rally
WHYY Newsworks: County leaders welcome more flexibility, less red tape in Pa. block grant changes
WHYY Newsworks: Environmental groups briefed on Philly trash plans
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia budget waiting for Pa. bills to move forward
WHYY Newsworks: Dale Mezzacappa: Philadelphia is ground zero for the national education crisis
WHYY Newsworks: Donald Payne, Jr., son of late Congressman, wins 10th district seat
WHYY Newsworks: First lady in Philly today as poll shows Obama widening lead in Pa.
City News: As painful funding cuts hit local nonprofits, Council talks about combining PRA, PHDC
Inquirer: Advisory group for Voter ID law to meet Thursday
ABC Philadelphia: Franklin and Marshall Poll: Romney trails Obama in Pa.
AP: House approves ‘payday lending’ bill
Fox Philadelphia: Philly schools laying off nearly 300 staffers
PhillyTrib: Nutter’s tax plan stuck in Council
PhillyNow: Hey, Look: Glenn Beck Was in Philadelphia To Accept an Award
PhillyNow: Obama, Casey Hold Large Leads in Pennsylvania
AP: Philly schools laying off nearly 300 staffers

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown School Board halves proposed tax hike to 1.2 percent
Delco Daily Times: Interboro teachers agree to new contract with pay freezes
Delco Daily Times: Rutledge mayor calling it quits amid relocation
Delco Daily Times: Reading schools laying off 110 teachers
Delco Daily Times: Michelle Obama visits Philly, warns November election will be close
Delco Daily Times: Parents, officials to take battle to Harrisburg
Montgomery News: District attorney warns Perkasie against future Sunshine Act violations (with letter from DA)
Montgomery News: Colonial Neighborhood Council celebrates makeover at Conshohocken headquarters
Montgomery News: Upper Moreland commissioners seek Ward 7 replacement
Montgomery News: Springfield Township School Board passes 2012-2013 budget
Bucks Local News: Neshaminy School Board supporters stack meeting, striking teachers refuse to show citing threats of violence
Bucks Local News: ON STRIKE! Teachers hit the picket lines in Neshaminy; residents hold counter protest at Maple Point
Bucks Local News: Council Rock School District reaches tentative agreements with each of its employee unions
Daily Local: Chester County GOP shows unity in reorganization
Daily Local: Reading schools laying off 110 teachers

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: House panel approves changes to lower prison population
Post-Gazette: Zappala: Cover-up was Orie’s undoing
Post-Gazette: Act 13 lawsuit argued in Commonwealth court
Post-Gazette: Councilman wants to know how much, worth of county’s natural gas
Post-Gazette: Chesapeake’s troubles could mean more fracking in Pa.
Tribune-Review: Liquor store privatization debate begins in Pa.
Early Returns: Union & Corbett right about LCB contract
Early Returns: Santorum starting social issue nonprofit
Early Returns: Casey differs with Toomey, Smith on wage bill
Early Returns: Senate GOP leader: mid-June budget “optimistic”
Early Returns: Zappala rejects Orie claims

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Rally protests proposed Pa. cuts to mental health services
Somerset Daily American: Democrats tie women’s pay to economy, jobs

NEPA
AP: Pa. House Oks $4.5 billion to repay jobless benefits
AP: House approves ‘payday’ lending bill
Pocono Record: Pike commissioners take gas pipeline detour fight to D.C
The Daily Review: Obama, Casey dominate latest F&M poll results
The Daily Review: Senate approve Act 47 fix-it bill
Citizens Voice: County whittles down clerk applicant to 15
Times-Tribune: Reneging on bonds could mean higher taxes
The Times Leader: Human services in county face cuts
The Times Leader: Exeter council Oks Internet agreement

South Central
AP: House GOP mixes some increases with some spending cuts
Chambersburg Public Opinion: County commissioner association may have reached compromise on human services funding
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Sen. Toomey: Country needs fiscal plan to avoid gloom
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Sen. Casey aims to outlaw ‘bath-salts’
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg School District could drop kindergarten, sports to save money
Harrisburg Patriot News: President Barack Obama holds lead over Mitt Romney in Pennsylvania poll
Harrisburg Patriot News: Jury selection reaches halfway point for corruption trial of ex-state Revenue Secretary Stephen Stetler
York Daily Record: Eight seated for Stetler case
Standard Speaker: Human services block grant to be phased in
Standard Speaker: Senate approves changes to distressed cities law

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: State lawmakers seek to boost public school aid
WFMZ: Liquor Store employee union could stall privatization

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Dem congressional candidate Eaton to detail “five point plan” Thursday
Erie Times-News: Poll shows Obama with lead in PA

Opinion
The Times Leader: Hate has no place in our community
Pocono Record: Veterans vote against their own best interest
Times-Tribune: Tie Shell tax incentives to actual jobs
Altoona Mirror: Editorial: White House attitude toward history “cavalier”
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Editorial – Give Corbett an ear on tax-break plan: Shell Oil plant promises thousands of jobs
Harrisburg Patriot News: A big price to pay: Payday lending bill will handcuff Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg needs bankruptcy bargaining chip
Harrisburg Patriot News: ‘Distressed’ schools need help not blame
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pennsylvania budget fails to put children first
Express Times: The Morning Note: Is Tom Corbett’s tax giveaway to Shell Oil a good investment or corporate welfare?
Express Times: GUEST COLUMN: Municipalities need state’s help with pension, arbitration reform

Blogs
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Should Public Sector Unions Be Banned?
Keystone Conservative: F&M Poll: Obama 48% Romney 36% – Casey 42% Smith 21%
Keystone Conservative: Legislation Reduction Proposal Moving Forward
Keystone Politics: Why Would It Matter If Red Light Cameras Were About Raising Revenue?
Keystone Politics: Political Parties Are Necessary for Political Accountability
Keystone Politics: F&M: Obama and Casey Up Big
2 Political Junkies: America, The Scientifically Illiterate