It may be 2011, but it is never too early to start campaigning. The GOP is out with a new attack ad taking on the President. Pa. GOP Chair Rob Gleason gave reporters a preview of how the ad will make an impact in Pa.

As we’re sure you all know, our neighbors to the north passed legislation legalizing gay marriage. Activists in Pa. have taken a different approach, however, and we see if the local model is having any success.

Critics complained at one point during the Gov. Corbett’s first six months that he was not signing enough legislation into law. Well, yesterday, he signed 46 bills into law. Yes, 46. Take a look at how things will change in the commonwealth.

Bryan Lentz has resurfaced on the political scene. This time, he is phonebanking for CeaseFirePa, trying to boost the registration rolls of the organization.

Don’t forget to check out this week’s edition of Chief of Staff Spotlight, and, of course, Up & Down.

PoliticsPA Reports

For Sen. Casey, It’s All Small Business, All The Time
It’s the economy, stupid. In the 2012 elections, little else will be discussed. And for more than a year, Senator Bob Casey has barely deviated from an all-economy message. This week Casey and Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act (SBCTC).

RNC, Pa. GOP Roll Out Attack Ad Against Obama
The Republican National Committee recently launched a video challenging President Obama’s alleged failed battle with the economy. The GOP’s video says, “Don’t let Obama drive us to disaster, change direction.”

Gay Rights Activists’ Local Approach Paying Off In Pa.
New York’s decision to legalize gay marriage brought a ton of national news coverage and a bevy of high profile reactions. In Pennsylvania, gay rights activists are taking a more low key approach. City by city, borough by borough, they’re winning non-discrimination protections across the state.

NBC Lancaster: Gov. Corbett Signed 46 Pieces Of Legislation Into Law – See What They Are
Today, Gov. Corbett signed 46 new pieces of legislation into law. WGAL has a slideshow of what they are and what they mean for you.

Lentz Dialing For CeaseFirePA
The former State Rep. and 2010 congressional candidate is the dialing membership drive with the gun control advocates at CeaseFirePA. The group aims to add 5,000 members by summer’s end, starting off with a July 13 phonebank.

Chief of Staff Spotlight: Stan White
At PoliticsPA, we love staffers as much as elected officials. In this week’s feature, we present Stan White, Chief of Staff for Rep. Bob Brady (D-Phila).

National

Politico (Rep. Lou Barletta): Debt ceiling problem for Boehner comes in freshman form
Daily American: House Committee Says Proposal Would Streamline Highway Projects

Statewide

Inquirer: Sierra Club tells National Park Service that Pa. is violating law by allowing gas drilling
AP via Times Leader: New Pa. laws cover motorcycles, HIV testing & more
WNEP Channel 16: Corbett Signs Drunken Boating Law
AP via The Setinel: Corbett transportation funding report nearly ready
AP via The Setinel: Pa. seeks stronger look at drilling near water
Altoona Mirror: Property Tax Reforms Leave Some Loopholes
PR Newswire: Corbett Administration Now Accepting Proposals for New Prison Project in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Philly

Philly Inquirer:PA counts on Obama to Beat Casey in 2012
City Paper: Glass ceiling?
WHYY Newsworks:Rules change for damage awards in PA

Philly Suburbs  –

Daily Times: Delco legislators split budget vote along party lines
Bucks Local News: Mike Fitzpatrick promotes conservation bill at meeting in Doylestown
Bucks Local News: State Rep. Santarsiero to host energy savings summit at McCaffrey’s Supermarket in Lower Makefield
Phillyburbs: Eight Delaware River bridges to be repaired
The Intelligencer: New ethics panel receives its task

Pittsburgh

Tribune Review: Rankin district judge focus of probe
Tribune Review: Pa. welfare chief wields $400 million ax
Tribune Review: Army center renamed for Murtha
Tribune Review: Turzai to order new round in state store debate
Post-Gazette: New EPA rule aims to reduce pollution across state borders
Post-Gazette: DA files additional charges against West Pike Run supervisor
Post-Gazette: State revokes 3 day-care licenses after near drowning
Post-Gazette: Collier names new manager
Early Returns: ISO candidate
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Raja explains why 3 tax payments late
Pittsburgh Tribune Live: Pittsburgh seeks to list monuments
Post Gazette: Property reprieve suit eyed by county

Southwest

Observer-Reporter: DPW Revokes Child Care Centers’ Licenses

Lehigh Valley

Morning Call: Crin attorney pins hopes on Easton council
Morning Call: Tough economy tough on shelters
Morning Call via Pittsburgh Post Gazette: 300,000 sign ‘Caylee’s law’ petition

South Central

York Dispatch: Slots success builds Pa. tax relief for homeowners
York Daily Record: Reps talk property, Marcellus Shale taxes
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Corbett signs bill to name bridge after slain conservation officer

NEPA

Daily Item: Leighton’s relatives resign from city positions
Daily Item: Officials: State’s damage estimate too low
Daily Item: Public looks for answers after flooding
Citizens Voice: Cancer Institute to conduct shale drilling health study
Citizens Voice: Driller fracks well across from Luzerne County border
Citizens Voice: Drilling industry denies fracking potential over-estimated
Wayne Independent: Casey, Gillibrand Introduce Bill to Encourage Job Creation
Standard Speaker: Schuylkill County to host voter hall of fame celebration
Standard Speaker: New budget means welfare overhaul under way
Standard Speaker: Cuozzo files complaint over city borrowing plan
Daily Review: Former Pennsylvania regulators waiting for the teeth in New York drilling rules
Daily Review: Binghamton opens doors to same-sex couples
Daily Review: EPA releases Marcellus drillers’ wastewater plans
Pocono Record: Pa. DEP says gas drilling didn’t sicken woman
Pocono Record: Taxpayer advocate: Close the loopholes on school tax increases

North By Northwest

Go Erie: Slot-machine revenue for Erie casino up 3.1 percent for fiscal year
Go Erie: Erie County Right-To-Know links
State College.com: Judge Prestia Named President of Statewide Judges Association
Sun Gazette: Booster of energy policy plans visit

Opinion

New York Times: Behind the Republican resistance to compromise
Baer Growls: Is Michele Pa.’s Belle?
Montgomery Media: Shapiro: State budget doesn’t invest in job creation or next generation
Patriot-News:  Commentary: Why Not a ‘Fact 47’ to solve U.S. debt crisis?
The Tribune-Democrat, Editorial: 911 Legislation Blocks Vital Information
Beaver County Times Editorial: Do Anti-Tax Advocates Want Us To Kill All The Grandmothers?
Reading Eagle Editorial: Congress has no choice but to increase debt ceiling
Reading Eagle Editorial: One of the last blue laws should remain on the books