Toomey makes his SNL debut, a new Democrat for Governor, and a reader poll for PA-13. Happy Tax Day politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Live from New York, It’s Pat Toomey (With Video): Senator Pat Toomey’s bipartisan background check deal earned him a lead zing on Saturday Night Live this weekend, which caricatured the bill as ineffective.

Guv Hopefuls Court Dems in Delco: Friday’s Delaware County Dems dinner was a must-attend for several announced and prospective Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls. Here’s who came and what they said.

HDCC Hires Sims CM as Political Director: The House Democratic Campaign Committee filled a top staff position Friday. Its new Political Director Matt Goldfine managed freshman state Rep. Brian Sims’ (D-Phila) insurgent primary campaign in 2012.

Reader Poll: Who should Democrats support for PA-13? The race to replace Allyson Schwartz is on. Who should Democrats support now that the Congresswoman is running for Governor?

WaPo Ranks PA Guv Race 5th in the Nation, Up from 6th: The official entrance of Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz onto the 2014 gubernatorial stage was enough for the Washington Post to name Pennsylvania the fifth most likely state for a party switch.

4/12 Ups & Downs: Sen. Pat Toomey aims for a background checks compromise and becomes a target for gun rights advocates. Here are this week’s Ups & Downs.

Peduto Hits the Airwaves (With Video): City Councilman Bill Peduto unveiled his first television ad of the Pittsburgh mayoral primary on Friday. High production values and that candidate’s family history paint a clear contrast between Pittsburgh’s past and its future.

McGinty Makes it Official: She’s Running for Gov: And then there were five. Former Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Katie McGinty made official her bid for Pa. Governor.

Statewide
NPR: Fair Or Foul? Pigeon Shoots Ruffle Feathers In Pennsylvania
AP: Government group pushes for strong pay-to-play law in Pa
AP: Pennsylvania rejects settlement with tobacco companies
AP: Surplus could prove short-term pension relief in Pa
State House Sound Bites: Bill would protect landowners who permit hunting on property
State House Sound Bites: PennDOT Secretary: Repair roads, bridges, now
PA Independent: PA Week in review: (Bankruptcy lawyers), guns and money in Pennsylvania
StateImpactPA: Brazilians show interest in Pennsylvania shale gas drilling

Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Analysis: Politics in Pennsylvania
KYW Newsradio: Proposed Bill Calls for Gender-Neutrality in Businesses, Schools in Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Nutters Says Gun Death of Overbrook Student Keeps Spotlight on Gun Control
KYW Newsradio: Second Day of Gaming Control Board Hearings on Philadelphia Casino License
Phillynow.com: Philly Not Safe From All Pennsylvania LGBT- Discrimination Laws
City Paper: AVI analysis: $30k homestead break may help the most residents
WHYY Newsworks: Debate revived over Pa. drug testing for welfare recipients
The Big Tent: Gay marriage support costs Dem candidate band gig
CapitolInq: Toomey gets SNL treatment
Commonwealth Confidential: Bill would restrict abortion funding in insurance exchanges

SEPA
Courier-Times: What I saw at the Gosnell trial
Delco Daily Times: No shortage of opinions when it comes to Upper Darby school budget
Souderton Independent: Souderton talks transportation with Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick
Springfield Sun: Springfield Twp. board discusses storm-water management efforts
Bristol Pilot: Feds come through for Bristol, drop anchor with $1.5M grant to fund boat slips, dock and a promenade
The Advance: Newtown Twp. Supervisors to consider allowing 56 townhouses on swim club site if developer puts mobile home park plans on hold
Yardley News: Watchdog group petitions Pennsbury School Board to scrap outsourcing plan, contends savings would never be realized
The Mercury: Pottsgrove School District seeks new personnel with $400K price tag
The Mercury: Chesco human services workers vote to unionize

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: SNL slams Toomey, Manchin
Post-Gazette: State Rep. Jake Wheatley runs for Pittsburgh mayor on issues he backs in House
Tribune-Review: Wilkinsburg gathering calls for end to gun violence
Tribune-Review: Southmoreland board member pushes for no increase in taxes

Southwest
Beaver County Times: DA: Pa. school crossing guard sold pot out of home
Beaver County Times: Judge named for Sheriff George David hearing
Beaver County Times: Latest Pa. scandal has some eyeing pay-to-play law
Beaver County Times: DA: New Castle school crossing guard sold pot out of home
Beaver County Times: South Side students, K-12, surfing on technological opportunities
Beaver County Times: HEROIN – HIGH & RISING: Abuse, overdose a growing epidemic
Beaver County Times: Bomb threat prompts Robinson mall evacuation
Observer-Reporter: North Franklin fires township manager
Observer-Reporter: Police looking for man who robbed Fredericktown beer distributor
Observer-Reporter: Worker injured in W.Va. natural gas accident dies
Observer-Reporter: Pa. agency considering fee for water extraction, removal
Observer-Reporter: Latest Pa. scandal has some eyeing pay-to-play law
Altoona Mirror: Accused arsonist’s PFA hearing postponed
Altoona Mirror: PSU revenue declines
Altoona Mirror: Valley View Home sales contract approved
Altoona Mirror: Campus students take plea in riot case
Altoona Mirror: Authority continues to sell off ‘credits’
Altoona Mirror: Housing authority hires former officer’s security firm
Altoona Mirror: Juvenile court complying with changes
Altoona Mirror: Accident wounds gun shop owner
Altoona Mirror: Scandals have some eyeing up new law
Altoona Mirror: Specialty court, specialized problems
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: City department reviving ‘citizen’s police academy’
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Richland planning panel approves office complex
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PTO selling Ranger-opoly sites: Board game will feature local businesses, groups
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Water service cuts to start in Ebensburg
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: 3 1st-term council members seek to continue their work
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: In Pa., little support for new controls
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Barbin appointed to technology authority
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Conemaugh Township spending plan nears

NEPA
The Times Leader: Giamber announces he’ll run for Luzerne County Council
The Times Leader: Municipalities win when you play the slots
The Times Leader: Education, public safety top recipients of casino gambling bounty
The Times Leader: Aqua PA investing millions into local infrastructure
Times-Tribune: COLTS wants natural gas-powered fleet
Times-Tribune: State lawmakers seeking to slow the flow of information from the criminal justice system
Citizens Voice: With LAG, red flags are nothing new
Citizens Voice: Measure aims to alter warrant rules
Citizens Voice: State nonprofit study out this week
Citizens Voice: CV offers online Voters Guide
News Item: Battle for prothonotary gets top billing

Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Ave: Fitzpatrick wants supporters’ thoughts on gun control
Morning Call: Access to natural gas is fueling economic development
Morning Call: How Pat Toomey brokered gun control deal
Morning Call: Allentown council policy on public comment may violate state law
Reading Eagle: Judge candidate trumpets civil, criminal experience
WFMZ: Local gun rally sparks debate
Express Times: Warren County police, municipal leaders, advocates rally for gun rights in Belvidere

South Central
AP: Latest Pa. scandal has some eyeing pay-to-play law
AP: Surplus may provide short-term pension relief for Pennsylvania
Carlisle Sentinel: Voter registration deadline approaching for Central Pennsylvania
York Daily Record: York County tax preparers ready for late filers
York Daily Record: Gun-control rally held in York, hours before fatal shooting
York Dispatch: Central looking for cuts, not a tax hike in 2013-14 budget
York Dispatch: Meet the candidates in Newberry Township
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: In Harrisburg, incinerator a piece of financial puzzle
Lebanon Daily News: Swatara board targets public safety
Roxbury News: Harrisburg Mayor Thompson, parked at a fire hydrant

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Borough pipeline project remains in legal limbo
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Landfill methane-to-energy project gets national award

Opinions
Standard Speaker: Toomey fires straight; why can’t others?
Daily Local: LTE: What does it take to have voter ID posters removed?
News Item: Toomey-Manchin plan has common sense, compromise
News Item: Board races may be over in spring; end Pa.’s restricted primary
Times-Tribune: State leaders should follow Toomey lead
Times-Tribune: Chained CPI bait, switch
Erie Times News: Our View: Negotiate to keep GE jobs in Erie
Erie Times News: Toomey’s proposal strikes right tone
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Time to discuss silencing North Korea
Citizens Voice: Say no to gas industry subsidies
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: Do not pass unfair media gag policy
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pennsylvania should pass a natural gas severance tax: As I See It
Express Times: Pennsylvania needs a tough pay-to-play prohibition
The Mercury: Open Pennsylvania primaries, or end cross-filing

Blogs
Keystone Politics: Your Move, Marco Rubio
Keystone Politics: Deficit Rapidly Shrinking
Keystone Politics: Peduto Ad: “My Life’s Work is Building a New Pittsburgh”
Keystone Politics: Jack Wagner’s Old-School Position on Neighborhood Grocery Stores
Keystone Politics: There’s More to the LGBT Cause Than Marriage Equality
Keystone Politics: The Machine Likes Alan Butkovitz Because He Sucks At His Job
Keystone Politics: The Anti-Politics of Bob Donchez
Keystone Politics: Bob Donchez Unveils Union-Busting Plan in Democratic Primary Mailer
Keystone Politics: Progress and Poverty in Old City
Pittston Politics: PA let bullied child down, federal court to serve up justice
Pittston Politics: Defining moment for John and John
Pittston Politics: Open Forum: District Judge race
PA Budget and Policy Center: Tax Day Resources: What Our Taxes Support and How to Make Them Fairer
2 Political Junkies: Kentucky Gets It Right
PA Water Cooler: Gosnell’s Abortuary and the Limits of Media Shaming
John Hanger: Geothermal Generation Grows & Produces At Least Twice The Electricity As Solar And Is Growing
John Hanger: Stunning Fact: Coal Mining Jobs 15% Higher During Obama Than Bush Administration
Citizens’ Call: Cheltenham Democrats’ Dinner Shaping Up to be Confab of Political Heavyweights
Citizens’ Call: Global Warming Gets Personal: Free Film Screening Monday Night at the Hiway Theatre
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: NAACP to Host Allentown City Council Debate
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: NorCo Council Candidate Tricia Mezzacappa Sues Express Times
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Anyone See the Northern Lights?
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Express Times: All Some of the News That’s Fit to Print
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: The Callahan, McClure and Reibman Show
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: A Defense For Deputy Whistle Blower