Rick Santorum is in. Against a background of Americana that would make Norman Rockwell blush, the former Senator announced yesterday that he is running for President. And it looks like his Senate staff is in, too. Yesterday’s event in Somerset featured around 30 former Santorum staffers, several of whom helped to organize the rally.

Environmentalists are pouring into Harrisburg this morning, getting ready for their two-pronged effort to resist expanding Marcellus shale drilling. Some activists will protest and call for a moratorium. Others are planning to meet with lawmakers and push for more pragmatic – and lower profile – changes to regulations.

Governor Corbett is facing some bad press. It was revealed that the Gov – along with his wife and each of the Cawleys – has been driven around in a brand new SUV. This despite his heavy campaign emphasis on downsizing the state’s vehicle fleet. Corbett says he didn’t know about the SUVs, and that they were chosen by the state police for security reasons.

Finally, congrats to Mark Harris and Matthew Weaver, two PA consultants who made the Campaigns & Elections Mag’s list of rising star young politicos. Way to represent the keystone state, gentlemen.

PoliticsPA Reports

Santorum Comes out Swinging
At a gathering of supporters yesterday on the Somerset County courthouse steps, Santorum announced that he is “ready to lead,” officially launching his campaign for the presidency.

Presidential Announcement: Santorum Staff Reunion
Amid the red, white and blue balloons, the patriotic music and campaign fanfare, at least 30 of Rick Santorum’s Senate staffers were helping to organize and execute their former boss’s presidential announcement.

Environmentalists’ Two-Pronged Marcellus Effort
Environmental activists are pouring into Harrisburg for today’s Marcellus rally in the Capitol to demand a moratorium. Meanwhile other advocates are quietly meeting with lawmakers to push a more pragmatic agenda: new safety rules.

Two Pennsylvanians Named to Campaigns & Elections Mag’s 2011 Rising Stars List
Mark Harris, campaign manager for Pat Toomey’s successful bid for the United States Senate, and Matthew Weaver, whose direct mail expertise has benefitted a range of Democratic clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, were named to Campaigns & Elections Magazine’s prestigious Rising Stars list, the publication announced today.

Rick Santorum announces
Philadelphia Inquirer: Santorum announces his candidacy for president
Fox Philadelphia: Santorum running for president, says he’s ‘in it to win it’
CBS Philly: Santorum joins race for Republican presidential nomination
Politico: Rick Santorum’s Day one
Politico: Rick Santorum – Obama a ‘paper tiger’
Politico: Santorum “I’m ready to lead”
Daily Item: Rick Santorum says he’s “In it to Win it” GOP Nomination for President
Roll Call: Rick Santorum Announces Presidential Bid
The Hill: Santorum says that he is bolder than Ryan on entitlement reform
Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Santorum enters presidential race
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Santorum enters race with full-scale attack on Obama
Politico: The Huckabee road less traveled: Santorum as the new Huck
WJACTV: Somerset County reacts to Former Sen Rick Santorum’s presidential candidacy
Politico: Scaringi: No one thought Santorum could win

National
Washington Post: Supreme court orders Philadelphia appeals court to review Hazelton, PA. immigration crackdown

Statewide
Philadelphia Inquirer: PSEA backs use of test scores in evaluating teachers
PhillyNow: House voter ID bill vote may come Wednesday
WHYY Newsworks: Will privatizing liquor stores make people drink more?
WHYY Newsworks: In gas drilling, ‘fracking’ may not be the only threat to well water
WHYY Newsworks: Corbett says new security SUVs not his doing
Daily Item:
WFMZ: Commission Hears Plan For Tolling Stretch Of Route 422
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Yaw: Senate to get House plan this week
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Wagner rebuffs fellow dems: backs Corbett plan for surplus
Daily Item: Valley residents to attend rally and lobby day
AP via Pittsburgh Trib: Boards’ ability to bypass referendums by using exceptions draws scrutiny
Commonwealth Foundation: Panel Discussion on SB1 & School Choice
Commonwealth Foundation: Pennsylvania State Pension Liabilities
AP via Pittsburgh Trib: Requiring photo IDs of voters gets shove
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Keep legal decisions open to kindless, Corbett says
AP via the Mercury: Taxing power could be trimmed for Pa. schools
The Sentinel: Corbett says he didn’t ask for new SUVs
The Sentinel: Ak Steel fined $206,000 for Pa. record violations
The Sentinel: Shell planning unit for Marcellus Shale processing

Philly
Philadelphia Inquirer: Chief Nutter aide returns to academia
Philadelphia Inquirer: Nutter tells Philadelphia School District to open its books
Philadelphia Daily News: Colorful characters grace City Hall
PhillyNow: Paid sick leave vote this week?
Fox Philadelphia: Judge stays teacher layoffs

Philly Suburbs
Yardley News: Lower Makefield Supervisor Ron Smith introduces running mate, Kristin Tyler, for November general election
The Advance:  Officials to break ground Friday on $4.68M Washington Crossing Visitors Center renovation and expansion project
Bucks local news: Bucks Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick opposes ‘blank check’ on debt ceiling vote, urges President Obama to take a stand
Bucks local news: Bucks lawmaker Steve Santarsiero to donate COLA to the Pennsbury and Newtown D.A.R.E. programs
Bucks Local news: PA House Republicans to tackle budget this week

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: Murphy in Normandy
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Candidates try to win the summer in NH:GOP solidifies with new entries
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Facing death: tough decisions on pricey care

Southwest
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: College credits in peril for high schoolers
Beaver County Times: First Energy offers to bring water to Greene Twp residents

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Review of Hazleton immigrant law ordered
Morning Call: Allentown to tell smokers: Butt out of playgrounds
Morning Call: Easton schools hire COO, save $175,000
Lehigh Valley Live: Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. signs bill making city the fifth municipality in state to offer same-sex couples benefits
Lehigh Valley Independent: Arthur Murphy to run as a Democrat for Bethlehem Township, Pa. commissioner
Lehigh Valley Live: Freedom High School may keep its school resource officer, Bethlehem Township officials say
Lehigh Valley Live: Developer drops appeal against Forks Township decision to grant conditional use approval for cigar lounge
Lehigh Valley Live: Phillipsburg School Board to vote on new security contract
Reading Eagle: Acting Police chief appointed in Tilden Township
Reading Eagle: Mifflin has one-man district police force

South Central
Public Opinion: Franklin County residents can tell county planners what they want in their communities
The Sentinel: Dickinson Township meeting has heated public time
Patriot News: Harrisburg School Board tables a plan to shuffle principals
York Daily Record: York City Council to consider $880 thousand contract for city hall renovation
Lebanon Daily News: Sewage plant upgrades on tap in Annville
York Dispatch: York County says radio errors with out-of-county responders are fixed
Lancaster Era: County will soon be part of new emergency alert system
Lancaster Era: Panel faults judge for acorn incident

North by Northwest
Daily Item: Ex-treasurer charged with forgery, theft
Williamsport Sun Gazette: 2 lawmakers nix raising debt ceiling
Centre Daily: State College to expand iPad program at elementary level
Erie Times News: North Easton Supervisors could vote on hydrofracking ban tonight
Erie Times News: Erie County Council to consider plan to sell small county-owned properties
Erie Times News: State drug agents charge York man with possession of cocaine in Erie
Erie Times News: Erie County public safety director’s talk to business group postponed

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Cordaro-Munchak Allegations Raise Oversight Questions
Citizens Voice: Munchak to be paid $208 Daily During Trial
Go Lackawanna: Bill Aims to Restore Services Funding
Go Lackawanna: Edwardsville’s Main Street Getting Facelift: Work includes demolition of blighted properties and major resurfacing project
Pocono Record: Monroe, Pike Home Prices Fall Again
Pocono Record: What Hazardous Materials Pass Through the Poconos?
Pocono Record: Pocono Township Property Gets Cleaned Up
Times News: State Budget Issues
Wayne Independent: Gov to Speak to Chart School’s 1st Grads

Opinion
Lehigh Valley Independent: Regional Policing and Deterrence in Nazarath
Citizens Voice Editorial: Update Oil and Gas Act with DEP suggestions
Citizens Voice Editorial: Medicare formula does not add up
Courier Express: Open Primaries? No; instead lets have meaningful reform
Dana Milbank, Bucks County Courier Times: Tour de force vs. tour de farce: The best and worst in public life
Gene Lyons, The Mercury: GOP, Netanyahu sucker punch selves
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: You, too, can run for president
Patriot News: Patriot News: Budget restraint first step
Altoona Mirror: Editorial: Wagner right on spending restraint
Lehigh Valley Independent: How China views our deficit
Jon Geeting, Patch: How will Charlie Dent explain his Medicare vote?