¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo a todos los politicos!

As a special treat, PoliticsPA is proud to bring you our first headline from Philadelphia’s Spanish-language Al Dia newspaper, about a candidates debate in the 7th district.

Immigrant advocates visited Harrisburg yesterday, joined by some lawmakers, asking colleagues to reject a string of proposals in Harrisburg that they cast as ineffective costly, and likely to increase racism (including some Arizona-style bills).

Also getting in the spirit is Rep. Lou Barletta, who is hoping to take his tough-on-immigration reputation to Washington, DC. Barletta is working to build momentum for his proposal to limit federal funds to so-called “sanctuary cities,” where local officials choose to enforce immigration rules.

In other news, PA House Leader Mike Turzai was named as the NFIB’s Legislator of the Year – nationally – for his tort reform efforts.

And Senator Casey and Reps. Shuster and Platts joined forces to protect the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center from cuts in upcoming military spending proposals.

PoliticsPA Reports

Military Cuts? Not In My Backyard, say Casey, Platts & Shuster
Senator Bob Casey along with Representatives Todd Platts and Bill Shuster hope to spare funding the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center from any cuts in the FY13 budget review.

Turzai Named Legislator Of The Year By National Business Group
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) recognized PA House Majority Leader Mike Turzai yesterday with its 2010-11 Legislator of the Year award, the organization’s highest honor.

Headlines
Pennsylvania Ave.: Barletta Takes Immigration Fight To Washington
Al Dia: Philly candidates debate in the 7th district; Savage cancels appearance
Post-Gazette: Council Considers Renaming Pittsburgh International Airport
Fox Philadelphia: Bath Salts Ban in Political Limbo
Capitol Ideas: State House To Unveil State Budget Proposal Next Week
AP: Penn State Gets $5 Million For Food Availability Study
Congratulations to Philly Weekly On Their 40th Anniversary
Patriot-News Asks Will You Vote in the Primary Election?
Fox Philadelphia: City Council Finally Going To Hold Hearing on DROP – After the election
PhillyClout: Kenyatta Johnson Says Damon Roberts Dropping Out
PhillyNow: Vern Anastasio Goes All In – To Port Richmond
Fox Philadelphia: Candidate: PPA Holds Cars for ‘Ransom’
Times-Leader: Leighton Touts City’s Progress At Final Town Hall Before The Election
Patriot-News: Immigration Coalition urges lawmakers to reject bills they call racist, expensive and inefficient
Patriot-News: HACC’s budget seeks to make up for cuts in funding from state and sponsoring
school districts
Patriot-News: Groups converge on Capitol seeking “fairness” in budget cuts, school choice/ vouchers
Citizens’ Voice: Marcellus Tax payments in spotlight
Standard Speaker: Barletta proposes immigration caucus, crackdown  on ‘sanctuary cities’
Times-Tribune: Senate confirms Meuser as state revenue secretary
Inquirer: Council race’s youth factor
Post-Gazette: State politicians accept trips, meals, tickets
Post-Gazette: Fitzgerald raps Flaherty’s drilling proposal
Post-Gazette: Prevailing wage provision stalls bill to create transit partnerships
Tribune-Review: Police union bristles over campaign flier
Tribune-Review: How to make money off drilling becomes issue

Opinion
Times-Tribune: State Cooks Tax Numbers With Gas
Inquirer Editorial: Elect new commission
Daily News Editorial: Our endorsements for Dems seeking council at-large seats
Citizens’ Voice: EITC expansion bill needs tweaking
Standard Speaker: Expand state’s recycling law