Good morning politicos, and welcome to the Buzz 

The big Monday morning news: President Obama and Congressional leaders pounded out the framework for a budget deal late Sunday night, with a vote very likely taking place on Monday.

Even before their respective caucus leaders had a chance to present the specifics of the plan to rank-and-file members, Pennsylvania’s public officials were already offering preliminary thoughts.

At the front of the class was U.S. Senator Bob Casey, who vowed in a statement released late Sunday that he “will vote to move this compromise forward to avoid default, cut government spending and provide some economic certainty.”

PoliticsPA Reports

With Casey Out in Front, PA Congressional Delegation Begins Commenting on Tentative Debt Ceiling Deal
Though Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) had just finished endorsing the newly minted, yet-to-be-finalized budget deal, U.S. Senator Bob Casey released a statement Sunday night in which he declared his intention to support the pact in order “to avoid default, cut government spending and provide some economic certainty.”

Obama for America Cites Rep. Kelly’s Alleged “Knute Rockne-Type Speech” in Email
Though he once swore to a swooning Dublin crowd that he returned to Ireland “to find the apostrophe we lost somewhere along the way,” President Obama apparently isn’t too fond of Congressman Mike Kelly’s (Pa-3) alleged Knute Rockne-esque moment this week.

Casey Co-Sponsored Bill to Combat Bath Salts Voted Out of Senate Judiciary Committee
Pennsylvanians engaged in the battle to ban bath salts scored another victory on Thursday, as the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Act and the Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act, both of which were co-sponsored by Senator Bob Casey.

7/29 PoliticsPA’s Up & Down
A seesaw week for many Keystone State politicos this time around – from the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission to liquor privatization…not to mention PoliticsPA co-owner Larry Ceisler’s inner turmoil over choosing between the Phillies and the Pirates this weekend.

Chief of Staff Spotlight: Karen Czarnecki
We continue our regular feature at PoliticsPA.  The latest Chief of Staff Spotlight featured a sit down with Rep. Mike Kelly’s chief of staff, Karen Czarnecki.

National
Politico: Republicans Grill S&P Exec On Ratings
Roll Call: Treasury’s Priorities List Might Cost Votes: Sen. Pat Toomey Is Questioned
Washington Post: Cain Wins Presidential Straw Poll Of Conservatives Meeting in Denver
Washington Post: Jell-O And Peas: Debt Debate Leads To Food Fight As Pols Stretch for New Metaphors: Rep. Mike Kelly Responds
Washington Post: Perry Stresses Personal Opposition To Gay Marriage But Doesn’t refute Earlier Comment About NY: Rick Santorum On The Issue
Towleroad: Rick Santorum: States do not have the right to destroy marriage

Statewide
AP, via Times Leader: View of GOP senators is shifting
AP via Philly.com: GOP defendants’ trial postponed in corruption case
Capitol Ideas: Ceisler – A choice tougher than the debt ceiling
WITF: DeWeese lawyers file in court; EPA proposes new rules for drillers
Pa Independent: House Education Committee begins hearings on school choice
Pa Independent: Alternative sentencing slowing Corrections cost increases
State Impact – NPR: Warren Commissioners Condemn “heavy-handed” Drilling regulations in National Forest
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Whither the center? Moderate politicians an endangered species
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Politicans may fade away, but not their campaign funds
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: DeWeese files challenges to corruption prosecution
Citizens Voice: Another push for privatizing liquor stores underway
Daily Review: Bill targets underage gamblers
ABC News: Gov. Corbett: Fly flags at half-staff for fallen Lebanon soldier

Philly
Philadelphia Inquirer: Website will let public propose Philadelphia council districts
Philadelphia Inquirer: Swing District Republicans got behind Boehner’s plan
Philadelphia Inquirer: In Philly courts, reforms take hold
Philadelphia Inquirer: For Karen Brown, town halls in shadow of City Hall
PhillyNow.com: Specter endorses Karen Brown
Newsworks: Your chance to fix Philly’s screwy election map

Philly Suburbs
Bucks Local News: Governor Signs Petri Bill To Permit Honor Guard Burials At Washington Crossing National Cemetery
Bucks Local News: House Democratic Policy Committee Takes Testimony At Newtown Hearing On Marcellus Shale
Daily Times: Pa. Pols Call For Compromise In Debt Debate
Mercury: Had Enough Of Debt Showdown? Here’s How To Contact Your Reps. In Congress
Mercury: GOP Leader Fields Questions On Pa. Liquor Bill

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Western Pa. reps want ‘to read the details’
Early Returns: Tea Party groups hit Kelly
Early Returns:  Batman wooed by city, not tax credits
Early Returns: Rep. Rooney takes on Jim Jordan
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Ravenstahls’ divorce final
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Privatization panel can get lots of ideas from other states
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Allegheny County Council’s redrawn districts won’t alter much
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Independent candidates file for spots on fall ballot
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Judge rejects prosecutorial misconduct in Perzel case

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Moon Twp.
Altoona Mirror: Authority says gas drillers’ water won’t take top priority
Altoona Mirror: Tyrone Borough buys armory

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Berks doctor taking another run for Gerlach’s seat
Morning Call: Politics as usual
Lehigh Valley Live: Pennsylvania State Police find four Bethlehem bars in compliance with liquor laws
Lehigh Valley Live: Local lawmakers introduce bill to delay federal regulations on cement industry

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: McDermott to resign as Cumberland County Democratic Chair
PennLive.com: City leaders try to ‘reach a consensus’ on Harrisburg recovery plan
PennLive.com: Harrisburg debt crisis Q&A
PennLive.com: State officials debate structure for candidate endorsements
York Dispatch: Minor candidate field shaping up for York County elections

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Kanjorski, Sestak blame partisanship for stalemate
Citizens Voice: Libertarian hints at run for WB mayor, county council
Standard Speaker: As he watches, Kanjorski worries
Standard Speaker: Lt. Gov. Cawley speaks to Schuylkill leaders on Marcellus Shale facts
Go Lackawanna: Override vote aims to ax Nay Aug pool fees
Go Lackawanna: Congressional deadlock grounds AVP tower
Pocono Record: Sen. Casey works with Postal Service on closings

North By Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Dozens of Centre County’s bridges deemed ‘structurally deficient’
Centre Daily Times: Impact study details growth in shale work
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Parking fee hike spikes phone calls
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State funding eliminated for local services
North Central PA: Marino Voted in favor of Budget Control Act of 2011
North Central PA: Marino Voted in favor of Budget Control Act of 2011

Opinions
Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Editorial: The Maglev mess: Reorganize? Liquidate!
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Sunday pops
Citizens Voice Editorial: Report suggests balanced approach to drilling
Daily Review Editorial: Underage gamblers are real bad luck for Pa. casinos
Reading Eagle: Editorial: One board right
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Dent’s synthetic drugs bill clears House Energy and Commerce Committee Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Dent: Default not an option