Tim Burns for Senate: Businessman and former Pa-12 congressional hopeful Tim Burns has officially joined the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. The Washington County resident has been hinting at a run over the past month, and this morning made it official. Read PoliticsPA’s interview with the new PA-Sen candidate.

Chinese Currency Debate: Several members of the PA delegation have stood out as the House and Senate balanced free trade acts and a possible crackdown on Chinese currency manipulation. Rep. Mark Critz is front and center.

Hello Wisconsin! Call us trendsetters. A plan to change Pennsylvania’s distribution of Electoral College votes has now spread to Wisconsin.

Perry, Romney to Pittsburgh: On Friday, Rick Perry will be in West Mifflin, Pa. at a steel mill to promote his energy policies. The Republican Committee of Allegheny County (RCAC) plans to host former governor and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney at a special fundraiser luncheon.

Redistricting Brinksmanship: Is Jason Altmire’s camp making a show of strength in a hypothetical redistricting-induced primary?

$1 Million for Murphy: The former congressman from Bucks County has hit the million dollar mark in fundraising this year, his campaign announced this morning.

W.Pa for McCaffery: Dan McCaffery has been campaigning in western PA, and it paid off this week. The former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney turned Attorney General candidate rolled out a list of endorsements on Tuesday that includes a PA state lawmaker.

Tom Corbett For President? Grover Norquist, Washington’s celebrity no-tax advocate, recently plugged our Governor as a possible VP contender next year or presidential candidate down the road.

Harrisburg Files For Bankruptcy: Harrisburg City Council answered the state’s takeover threat by voting to seek Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy protection Tuesday night, essentially adding the courts and more turmoil to the fight over the capital city’s fate.

Bucks Co Debate: The Kitchen Table Patriots hosted a debate for county row office candidates last night that bears watching. Conservative columnist Chris Freind moderated. The commissioner candidates portion begins around minute 55.

Watch the Ads: We got a hold of those Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania ads against PA Sens. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) and Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming).

National
Pennsylvania Ave: Sen. Casey Won’t Support Free Trade Deals
The Hill: Rep. Tim Murphy Supports More Infrastructure Spending Than The President
Lancaster Newspapers: House Debate Underway On Rep. Pitts’ Protect Life Act
Pennsylvania Ave: Jobs Bill Done Casey’s Way
Daily News: Senate Republicans vote to kill Obama’s jobs bill
Politico: Rep. Fitzpatrick’s District Considered A Bellweather House Race
Early Returns: Daily Santorum: NH reax
Capitol Ideas: Wisconsin considering PA-style electoral vote split
State House Sound Bites: Copycats in Wisconsin
Washington Post: Rick Santorum was right about Europe

Statewide
Capitolwire: Former congressional candidate Tim Burns announces U.S.  Senate bid
Capitolwire: Abortion clinics bill temporarily delayed, but it will get a vote, House GOP says
Capitolwire: Corbett outlines education plan, Piccola asks, where’s the deal?
Capitol Ideas: Vouchers no magic bullet: researchers split on their effectiveness
Capitol Ideas: Democrat Murphy hits $1 million for AG bid
Post Gazette: Corbett, other GOP governors, want emissions proposals withdrawn
Post Gazette: Corbett bolsters agenda for education
WJAC: Harrisburg, Pa, votes to file for bankruptcy
State House Sound Bites: Hiring and firing in Harrisburg, and lawmakers say Corbett’s late to class
State House Sound Bites: Superior Court candidates forum this Friday
PA Independent: Several key lawmakers not impressed with Corbett’s education plan
PA Independent: Utility officials pleased with response to Irene despite some difficulties
PA Independent: Corbett worries EPA Regs would cost Pennsylvania jobs
PA Independent: Krancer and House Dem pen dueling inky letters
PA Independent: Perry wants to beef up domestic energy extraction; roll back EPA regs
PA Independent: Drill Bits: Energy in the Presidential debate, and Clearfield commissioners back Corbett plan

Philly
Northeast Times Star: Boyle bros. endorse Denny O’Brien for council at-large
Inquirer: Occupy Philly gets wet, gets up late and needs supplies
Inquirer: Harrisburg council seeks bankruptcy protection
Inquirer: The Price of Occupy Philly
Inquirer: Elsewhere, some ‘Occupy’ strife
Philly Clout:  EMS response times remain below standards
Philly Clout: Curfew bill gets preliminary approval
Daily News: Lawmakers, White House regroup on jobs
Philly Pharma: GOP candidates dislike Obamacare, offer no solutions
Inquirer: Over $400,000 spent on police deployment so far
Daily News: The unreliable trash trucks in Philly
Philly Clout: The freedom to protest has a price tag
PhillyNow: DAILY GRINDER: (Live from a Tent at City Hall.)
PhillyNow: Camping Out with Occupy Philly, Day 6
Philadelphia Weekly: Why Does the GOP Hate the Occupy Movement So Much?
Philadelphia Weekly: Occupy Philly Deals With Allegations of Racism
FoxPhilly: ‘Occupy Philly’ Becoming More Organized
FoxPhilly: Occupy Philly Site Becoming A Big Mess
CBS: City Hall Tours Slow to a Crawl During Occupy Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: What would Gov. Corbett’s proposed vouchers buy?
WHYY Newsworks: Our photos, your photos from Occupy Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Opponents criticize proposed tougher Philadelphia curfew

Philly Burbs
Mercury: Perklomen Valley School Board OKs 4 percent raise for superintendent
Mercury: Gov. Corbett promotes school voucher in education plan
Mercury: Pottstown Council backs off removing downtown architectural board review
Mercury: Montgomery County Commissioner candidates go on attack
Intelligencer: Local liquor law violations
Courier Times: District troubled by high school PSSA results
DelCo Daily Times: Voucher proposal will be battleground for Corbett’s education plan
DelCo Daily Times: Several key lawmakers are not impressed with Corbett’s education plan
DelCo County Times: Chester mayor won’t commit to debate
DelCo County Times: 10 Things you need to know for Wednesday
DelCo County Times: Morton enforcing ordinance on signs
DelCo County Times: Candidate clarification
Advance: Newtown Borough Council enacts anti-discrimination ordinance to cover sexual orientation
Advance: State Rep. Steve Santarsiero to host Senior Fair in Newtown
Yardley News: Election 2011: Taxes, transparency in government lead issues at supervisor and school board candidate forum in Lower Makefield

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Federal grant aims to help at-risk youths succeed in school
Tribune Review: Washington County businessman enters U.S Senate race
Tribune Review: Peters Republican to challenge Rep. Murphy
Early Returns: More on Perry trip to Pittsburgh
Early Returns: Exec attacks 10 – 12
KDKA: Pa. Education Reform: Vouchers and Vitriol

NEPA
Pocono Record: Tea Party hosts Monroe County commissioners’ debate
Times Leader: Commissioners probe how firm owned by former clerk of courts won county contract
Times Leader: Corbett school plan graded
Times Leader: Officials welcome federal declaration
Citizens Voice: Corbett proposes vouchers, overhaul of teacher evaluations
Standard Speaker: Carbon County wins legal battle
Go Lackawanna: Northeast flavor – Corbett has 3 from area in posts

North by Northwest
Sun Gazette: Commissioners to act on 3 agreements
Courier Express: Commissioners join chorus of concern over planned well

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Forks man lied about military valor
Express Times: Christie’s work popular in Jersey -brittanfy
Reading Eagle: School district withdraws property repeals
Reading Eagle: SAT scores improve in Berks County

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Corbett pushes voucher program
Altoona Mirror: Bedford emergency board hit with major cuts

Opinion
Big Tent: Now, it’s Herman Cain’s turn in the barrel
Philadelphia Weekly: Letters to the Editor: Occupational Therapy
Mercury: ‘Occupy Philly” targets greed and disappearing jobs
Mercury: Subverting the Electoral College
Bucks Local News: How long can we expect Democrats’ ethics pledge to last?
Inquirer: Find new chief for schools
Daily News: Corbett’s education proposals need more details, work
Times Tribune: Pledge to take no pledges
Citizens Voice: Public disclosure should be policy
Courier Express: By-districts electoral college best for us all
Courier Express: Schools meet targets, but Corbett’s aim is off

Blogs
PA Water Cooler: Debt in Montco
Above Average Jane: Bounce for Obama
Casablanca: Near misses
Keystone Politics: Policing Occupy Philly costs $400,000
Third and State: Senate does nothing
Jon Geeting: School vouchers are ineffective
Two Political Junkies: Signs of the times