Good morning politicos, here’s the buzz. We dive down into voter ID numbers by the district. It may seem like news ads are coming out every day, but are the presidential candidates pulling their dollars out of the state? And ICYMI, check out last week’s Ups & Downs.

A District-by-District Look at Voter ID Numbers: It’s tough to tell how many people will be impacted by PA’s new voter ID law. But based on the numbers we have, here are the congressional, PA House and Senate districts that will be most (and least) affected.

Is PA Falling Off the Table?: In the past few weeks, Pennsylvania has seen fewer and fewer presidential campaign ad dollars. The Obama campaign and GOP super PACs have scaled down their TV buys in the Keystone state.

Romney Super PAC Brings Anti-Obama Radio Spot to PA: Restore Our Future, a super PAC supporting Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, released a new radio ad in Pennsylvania blasting President Obama for attempting to move the national conversation from his record on the national economy to that of Romney’s “sterling business career.”

Shuster COS Joins Red Maverick Media: Rep. Bill Shuster’s Chief of Staff Robert Simms has announced that he will be stepping down at the end of this month to join Red Maverick Media – a Republican political consulting firm – as a senior consultant.

Update: Priorities USA Torches Romney in Olympic Ad: Update: it’s been yanked due to copyright infringement. Priorities USA Action released a new ad today ripping into Mitt Romney for outsourcing and his offshore bank accounts.

Obama’s Middle Class Message in New Ad (Watch Video): Obama’s campaign released a new ad today for the the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The 30 second spot is all positive and emphasizes the President’s economic message.

7/27 Ups & Downs: Who said summer was a slow time for politics! The Commonwealth Court shakes up the status quo, a certain lawmaker’s mug shot hits the news, and a certain 2010 candidate gets no love in the Tweet of the week. Check out this week’s list.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-40: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorsed Republican candidate Randy Vulakovich over his competitor Sharon Brown with barely more than a week left until the Aug. 7 special election to fill ex-Sen. Jane Orie’s seat. In an editorial, the PG wrote that if voters want to know what he thinks, “all they need to do is ask him.” But his opponent “provided more background on issues than strong opinions, held back on specifics unless pressed and promised to study options on which a nominee should already have firm positions.”

HD-89: Independent candidate Steven Brenize announced Friday that he has withdrawn from the race and will support Dem Susan Spicka, who is running against incumbent Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin). Brenize said, “It has become apparent that my continued candidacy will serve as a spoiler in the race to unseat the incumbent. I am left with the choice to merely drop out of the race or to endorse the other challenger. Directly after the debate earlier this month, that decision was made for me by the way Rep. Kauffman continues to misrepresent himself.”

National
National Journal: Obama, Romney Contrasts Clear on Insurance
National Journal: The Slow Agony of the Obama Recovery
The Hill: McCain’s trip to publicize military spending cuts drawing scrutiny
The Hill: Election up for grabs with 100 days to go
The Hill: Democratic gun reformers give Obama a pass as they push for tougher laws
USA Today: Cheney: Palin pick was a mistake
The New York Times: Behind Big Political Gifts, a Mysterious Donor
The New York Times: Senators Force Weaker Safeguards Against Cyberattacks
Washington Post: Obama and Romney enter the final 100 days
Politico: Mitt Romney: No more ‘diplomatic distance’ from Israel
Politico: Romney not stressing ‘wimp’ title
Politico: Obama hits GOP on Bush tax cuts
Politico: Early voting looms large in 2012
Roll Call: Scalia: Health Care Mandate ‘Can’t Be a Pig’
Roll Call: Drought Throws Off GOP Focus on Tax Cuts
Roll Call: FEC Spells Out Disclosure Rules

Statewide
Capitol Ideas: New report gives Pennsylvania mixed grades for child-rearing
Capitol Ideas: No traction for Corbett in new Public Policy poll
State House Sound Bites: Expert says 1/3 of voters unaware of voter ID law
State House Sound Bites: Auditor General calls for changes in governances at Penn State
PA Independent: Municipal crisis-‘$6B is still a big number’
PA Independent: Week in review: Voter ID lawsuit takes center stage
StateImpactPA: Corbett administration files Act 13 appeal with state supreme court
StateImpactPA: Shale gas drilling depths might argue against Pennsylvania’s Marcellus
StateImpactPA: Corbett administration will “likely appeal” Act 13 ruling
Capitolwire: Yet-to-be-issued voting ID subject of testimony during voter ID challenge
Capitolwire: State department official, poster highlight second day of voter ID challenge
Capitolwire: Commonwealth court tosses out local zoning override in Marcellus Shale law, appeal expected

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Inquirer: Nutter to again appeal Philadelphia firefighters’ contract 0Angela
Philadelphia Daily News: Kenney slams Chick-fil-a, but he’s happy to let city cash their check
Philadelphia Daily News: Thousands of firefighters march on City Hall to protest contract
Philadelphia Inquirer: Philadelphia jails’ health-care provider fined for skirting minority-contract rules
Philadelphia Inquirer: Major parts of Pa.’s natural-gas law ruled unconstitutional
Philadelphia Inquirer: Bucks congressman’s plan to shield little firms from big audits
Philly.com: Latest voter-ID data add confusion
Philadelphia Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s readiness to implement voter ID law questioned
Philadelphia Inquirer: PA lags in number of female legislators
Philadelphia Inquirer: Delco election official vows to defy ID law
Philadelphia Clout: Philadelphia is a Chick-fil-A landlord?
Philadelphia Clout: City will appeal firefighters’ arbitration award
PhillyNow.com: No Joke: SEPTA Named Best Transit in U.S.
Fox Philadelphia: Firefighters Have Message For Mayor Nutter
WHYY Newsworks: The laughingstock of London
WHYY Newsworks: Philly firefighters face another court challenge to arbitration award
WHYY Newsworks: Some top staffers to Philadelphia mayor quietly take higher pay
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia Will Keep Fighting Arbitrators’ Award to Firefighters
KYW Newsradio: Pa. Official Takes Witness Stand to Defend State’s New Voter ID Law

SEPA
AP: In Pa. AG race, GOP’s Freed favors video as evidence
PhillyBurbs.com: Congress offers no reason to hope
Delco Daily Times: Small businesses deal with tax hike
Delco Daily Times: Both Romney, Obama backers hold rallies in West Chester
Delco Daily Times: What you need to know about Pa.’s new Voter ID law
Bucks Local News: State Rep. Santarsiero: Commonwealth Court decision on natural gas drilling operations a step in right direction

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Pa. Legislature gets gold medal for inaction
Tribune Review: Collector’s late in handing over tax money
Tribune Review: Notion of ID-for-access not new, backers of voting law say
Tribune Review: Officials, lawmakers to discuss future of community hospitals
Post-Gazette: School tax bills put on back burner
Post-Gazette: Voter ID law could extend lines at polls
Post-Gazette: Governor’s office appeals ruling on shale drilling
Post-Gazette: Judge quashes subpoenas in Justice Melvin case
Post-Gazette: Study: 14 percent lack proper voter ID in Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette: Pa. court upsets Marcellus Shale zoning law
Early Returns: Obama outspending Romney in Pa
Early Returns: Smiths first ad vs Casey
KDKA: Port Authority, Union, State Close To Deal
KDKA: Pennsylvania Auditor General Calls For Action In Light Of PSU Scandal

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Sen. Casey introduces gas bill
AP: Philly to appeal ruling on contract
AP: Appeals filed in Pennsylvania court’s ruling on drilling
AP: Pennsylvania voter ID testimony continues
AP: Pa. auditor calls for changes to Penn State board
AP: Lawyers challenge plans for voter ID
WTAE – Lawrence County: Bethel Bakery ‘cookiegate’ returns with Obama visit

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Pennsylvania gun laws deemed tougher than most other states
The Times-Tribune: Experts: Scranton’s crisis provides ‘cautionary tale’ for other cities
The Times-Tribune: Report: Court ruling could have assured health coverage for 200K in region
Times Leader: Barletta’s votes impact his portfolio

South Central
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Brenize supports Spicka in 89th District race
Carlisle Sentinel: In AG race, GOP’s Freed favors video as evidence
York Daily Record: With deadline looming, members of local Green and Libertarian parties make push for signatures

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie County Exec Grossman taking term limits plan to Council
Sharon Herald: Union workers rally for Missa Eaton
Sharon Herald: Officials vote to put safety-services tax levy on ballot
Centre Daily Times: Local Dems launch ‘It Takes One’ campaign
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Incumbent State Sen. Yaw outspends Democrat

Opinion
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Editorial: Replacing Orie: Vulakovich is the choice for the 40th Senate seat
Philadelphia Daily News: The impeachment of Pa. Constitution-shredding Tom Corbett
Lewistown Sentinel: Slashing Medicare will not be “free”
KYW Newsradio: Obama is Wrecking the White House
The Times-Tribune: Conditions on ground vary
The Times-Tribune: Tax reform still on radar
The Daily Review: ROBERT SWIFT: Capitol Matters: Lawmakers mull permitting process
Patriot News: Daupin County Commissioner Haste: City won’t be put ahead of other municipalities
York Dispatch: EDITORIAL: Share the burden
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: ID-eological woes

Blogs
Speaking Freely: Voter ID trial day 3: The courage to stand up against voter ID
Speaking Freely: Your government: “Trust us to get it right on voter ID”
Speaking Freely: Video: Vic Walczak speaks to reporters after voter ID day two
Keystone State Education Coalition: Who’s failing
Keystone State Education Coalition: Details/reaction to PA’s new EITC 2.0 opportunity scholarship tax credit “Supervoucher” program
Commonwealth Foundation: Welfare reform saves $173 million
Commonwealth Foundation: Cyber schools under unfair attack
NEPartisan: Cartwright celebrates Act 13 court ruling
2 Political Junkies: PA Gov. Corbett doesn’t know new voter ID law requirements that he signed into law
2 Political Junkies: What’s up with that?
Water Cooler: Potential veep pick in Lancaster Monday
Lulac Political Letter: Cartwright praises ruling
Pennsylvania Progressive: News and Notes July 27, 2012
Pennsylvania Progressive: Commonwealth court overturns part of Act 13
Keystone Politics: High quality arguments from smoking ban opponents
Keystone Politics: From spoiler to sparkplug: 3rd party candidate upsets balance in the 89th district
Keystone Politics: Act 13: Where does municipal power come from
Keystone Politics: Awesome new bill would let local governments ban smoking in all bars
Keystone Politics: Corbett told GOP to keep down the Philly vote in 2010
Keystone Politics: PPP: Kathleen Kane ahead by 7
Keystone Conservative: Bob Casey-Senator Zero
Keystone Conservative: Potential VP Portman to campaign for Romney in Lancaster Monday
John Hanger: Wall Street Journal gives PA Zoning Court decision page 3 and quotes me
John Hanger: National Shale gas production up 24%: Where’s the Ponzi Scheme
Citizens Call: Corbett appeals yesterday’s court decision on overturning state’s preemption of local zoning on gas drilling
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Commonwealth court asks