Sabato rates the Gov race “Likely Democratic”, Gabby Giffords goes to bat for Mike Fitzpatrick and the NRA is behind Costello lock, stock and barrel. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

PA-Gov: Sabato Moves Race From “Lean Democratic” to “Likely Democratic”: Sabato’s Crystal Ball calls the incumbent Governor Tom Corbett a “goner”.

PA-8: Gabby Giffords PAC Releases Pro-Fitzpatrick Ad and Poll (VIDEO): The group, which is dedicated to sensible gun control measures, is throwing its support behind Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick.

PA-6: NRA Backs Costello: In a potentially divisive move, the National Rifle Association has pledged both financial backing as well as on the ground support in the swing district.

Nelson Diaz Hints at Philly Mayoral Candidacy: The race for Mayor of Philadelphia is becoming increasingly crowded as Nelson Diaz releases what appears to be a video making his case to be the next Mayor of Philadelphia.

Statewide
Capitolwire: Loophole in 1988 agency shop law prompts lawsuit against PSEA
Capitolwire: IRRC rejects proposed lobbyist registration fee hike
State Impact PA: Marcellus shale conference moves from Philly to Pittsburgh
State Impact PA: Range Resources to pay $4M for violations at western Pa. impoundments

Philadelphia
The Inquirer: Thousands gather for state trooper’s funeral as manhunt continues
The Inquirer: Almost legal: City Council passes revised pot bill
The Inquirer: Penn community of many minds on being named top party school
The Inquirer: FBI adds Frein to Ten Most-Wanted list
Philadelphia Daily News: Council approves voter referendum on abolishing SRC
Newsworks: With Pa. law lacking LGBT protections, Center City attack can’t be prosecuted as hate crime
Newsworks: Founding principal at innovative Philly school leaves two weeks into year
Newsworks: Philly mental health court celebrates five years of putting offenders in treatment, not jail
Newsworks: Corbett ad says Pa. media agree with him
PhillyNow: Poverty drops in Philly, spikes in New Jersey

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Time running out for Pa. property tax reform
Bucks County Courier Times: Study ranks Pennsylvania’s highways 41st in the U.S.
Bucks County Courier Times: Past winter wreaking havoc on Montgomery County budget
Delco Daily Times: Archbishop Wood assistant coach linked to gay beating in Philly, resigns post
Delco Daily Times: House passes Good Samaritan bill to combat heroin overdoses
Delco Daily Times: Wolf visits Chester’s STEM High School, promises better state funding for education

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Wolf Visits Local School To Highlight Education Differences With Corbett
Early Returns: Education funding, lies and video tape
Tribune Review: Range Resources to pay $4.15M fine, close old gas drilling impoundments
Tribune Review: State lawmakers delay hearings on Corbett’s review of academic standards
Tribune Review:Grant to aid Western Pennsylvania children’s mental health treatment
Post-Gazette: Thousands honor slain Pennsylvania state trooper as hunt for killer continues
Post-Gazette: Assault charge dismissed against former Pittsburgh official
Post-Gazette: Penn State trustees plan to restructure the board’s composition
Post-Gazette: Auditor general, state education department at war over words
Post-Gazette: Woodland Hills plan would close 3 schools
Post-Gazette: State agrees to new settlements in Pittsburgh prison abuse cases

Southwest
Beaver Country Times: Human Services co-sponsors community health care symposium
Altoona Mirror: House OKs bill offering immunity
Altoona Mirror: Online sleuths aid probe into gay couple’s beating
Altoona Mirror: Blair County changes seven voting locations
Altoona Mirror: Review clears pension agency executive
Observer-Reporter: Chevron meets higher drilling standards
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Bill seeks fairer treatment for black lung victims
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Retrial ordered for Pennsylvania death row inmate

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Trooper ambush suspect added to most wanted list
The Times-Tribune: Scranton pension funds will be broke in 3-5 years
The Times-Tribune: Frein now considered a federal fugitive
Newsitem: State should options to address opiate abuse
Pocono Record: Outraged Tweeters help find suspect in Philadelphia beating
Pocono Record: Students sue over alleged racial discrimination

South Central
Roxbury News: Harrisburg City Council to hold Treasurer interviews
Roxbury News: Pa Treasurer McCord, Auditor General DePasquale – General Fund Budget.
Carlisle Sentinel: Without union agreement, York may lose public schools
The Patriot News: Stem cell treatments for arthritic animals get increasing federal scrutiny
The Patriot News: The Capitol’s Treasury vault is a mix of buried history, forgotten treasures: Secrets of the Pa. Capitol
The Patriot News: Senate passes bill to earmark money for local park maintenance and operations
The Patriot News: Teachers target union restrictions on charitable giving in lawsuit
York Daily Record: PennDOT: Iron Stone Hill Road bridge closes following inspection
York Dispatch: West Jackson Street project near completion

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Forks dealing with maintenance building headaches
Express Times: Allentown school unions blast district, demand ‘respect, justice, fairness’
Morning Call: Slain trooper’s funeral held as manhunt continues
Reading Eagle: Berks election board moves two polling places
Reading Eagle: Poverty on decline in Reading

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Proposal to change trustee structure brings sharp words from Rep. John Yudichak
Centre Daily Times: PSU governance committee endorses board reform plan
Williamsport Sun Gazette: County coalition: The need for affordable housing exists now

Opinion
Philadelphia Daily News: DN Editorial: Taking Leave of Our Census: Forget the rosy statistics: More are poor, the rest are hurting
Pottstown Mercury: EDITORIAL: Property tax bill needs more support in Pa. Legislature
Bucks County Courier Times: Pension disaster is no surprise
Delco Daily Times: Editorial: Hottest race in state heats up in Delco
The Patriot News: Reform the tax code to spur new energy industry expansion: David Williams
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Lacking merit: Alternative organization to Boy Scouts is founded in fear, prejudice
Express Times: Warren County freeholder candidates: What do you want to know from them?
The Times Leader: Letter to the Editor: Doh! Why mess with Pennsylvania’s system for acquiring doe licenses?
Citizens Voice: First responders should carry life-saving antidote
Tribune Review: Medical device tax an abject failure
Tribune Review: Higher-education trustees, step up & lead
Post-Gazette: Council appeases the few by refusing to post “In God We Trust”
Post-Gazette: Sen. Tom Coburn is right about the NFL and other issues

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed