It’s been a rough week in the country and in Congress. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Senate Votes Down Manchin-Toomey Background Check Bill: Sen. Pat Toomey’s foray into the bipartisan limelight ended in defeat Wednesday as the U.S. Senate voted down down gun legislation offered by he and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).

Equality PA Endorsements: The state’s largest LGBT advocacy group has made endorsements in the 2013 municipal primaries, including several contested races (Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, etc).

Statewide
AP: PA one step closer to allowing online voter registration
AP: Governor Corbett’s lawyers summoned to court for NCAA lawsuit
AP: Corbett winding up South American trade mission
State House Sound Bites: Background checks amendment fails
PA Independent: Municipal pension concerns should be added to crowded agenda
PA Independent: Lawmakers call for abolishing PA Turnpike citing scandal, redundancy
PA Independent: WATCHBLOG: Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania!
StateImpactPA: Bills would give millions in Marcellus Tax breaks to promote transportation uses
Capitolwire: Some House Republicans want Turnpike elimination included in transportation funding package
Capitolwire: Sen. Rafferty’s transportation bill calls for $700 million more than Gov. Corbett’s plan
Capitolwire: Senate leaders, chairmen administration press House leaders to act on transportation
Capitolwire: Hillary and Bill can help, but MMM and McGinty will have to excel themselves

Philadelphia
City Paper: Tasco for the win: New rec center breaking ground after alleged political delays
Heard in the Hall: Council Hears More On AVI, Union Contracts
Phillynow.com Rep. Boyle Dissents from PA House’s Vote to Honor Margaret Thatcher
Phillynow.com PA Senate Unanonimously Votes for Online Voter Registration
Daily News: Officials eye tax abatements, nonprofits to ease property tax hit
Inquirer: $2.5 billion would tackle Pa’s aging roads, bridges
Commonwealth Confidential: Pa Senate honors hometown Hooters
Commonwealth Confidential: Word of the day in the Pa Senate: Transparency

SEPA
Perkasie News Herald: Perkasie passes resolution affirming oath to protect Constitution
Montgomery Life: West Norriton Board of Commissioners agrees to $80,000 fine for sewage overflows
Courier Times: Bucks buys $1 million worker attendance program
Delco Daily Times: Chester Upland eyed over compensatory services
Yardley News: L. Makefield Zoning Board holds second hearing on plans for equine veterinary hospital on Satterthwaite property, local opposition continues
Yardley News: Morrisville Borough Council approves $1.4M financing for energy upgrade, streetlights will be replaced with LED lamps

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Boston bombings prompt tighter security at local sporting events
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools considering locksets for classroom doors
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools board expected to vote on expanding Online Academy
Post-Gazette: Indiana County township officials steal, sell scrap metal, equipment, state police say
Tribune-Review: Hempfield schools’ business manager blames Obamacare for $1M spike in health care costs
Tribune-Review: Latrobe schools’ $8M request for state help a mystery
Tribune-Review: Thousands wait for assessment appeal hearings
Tribune-Review: Ravenstahl MIA since ending re-election bid; candidates critical of silence on public-safety issues
Tribune-Review: 8 teachers take Greensburg Salem retirement offer
Tribune-Review: Council sticks with Monessen efforts
Tribune-Review: Monroeville renewable energy firm, others, face uncertain futures
Early Returns: Rothfus joins Financial Services committee

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Beaver moving toward iPad era
Beaver County Times: It’s just a drill: TMI hosts ‘hostile action’ drill
Beaver County Times: Beaver Falls looking for help from nonprofits
Beaver County Times: GOP signals cost cuts before Pa. driver tax boost
Beaver County Times: Pa. House OKs tax breaks for natural gas vehicles
Observer-Reporter: Senate blocks expanded gun sale background checks
Altoona Mirror: Gun plan steams tea party
Altoona Mirror: 2:55 p.m. update: Feds deny reports of Boston bombing suspect in custody
Altoona Mirror: Plan ups highway funding
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: CTC laying off 19 local employees
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Learning Lamp expanding online tutoring program
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Study: High levels of arsenic in some Pa. wells
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Ricin is indicated in letters to Obama, senator
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Rothfus joins finance panel

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Pa. authorities increase event security
Citizens Voice: Lawton email: Flora fired from county post
Citizens Voice: Steamtown Marathon security will get close look
Citizens Voice: Kingston council mulls community development options
News Item: Committee moves bill to end ‘triple dipping’ of unemployment benefits
Times-Tribune: School board candidate ignores citations, faces arrest
Times-Tribune: State law limits North Pocono strike duration
Times-Tribune: Two candidates seek Clifton Twp. Supervisor post

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pat Toomey’s gun background check deal fails to pass Senate
Morning Call: Easton Area school director censured over superintendent search disclosure
Morning Call: LWV to host Democratic Candidates Forum for Bethlehem Mayoral Race
Morning Call: Deep disconnect between public, lawmakers on gun background checks, public health poll shows
Reading Eagle: Online voter registration bill heads to Pa. House
Reading Eagle: Pa. Senate highways plan would raise gas prices
WFMZ: Bucks County Commissioners approve countywide time system
Express Times: Lehigh Valley municipalities, organizations focus on security following Boston Marathon bombings

South Central
York Dispatch: York City councilman ensnared in temporary Capitol lockdown
York Dispatch: York City mayor on violence: ‘Enough is enough’
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Officials eye update to prevailing-wage law
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: State panel upholds ruling that couple is illegally operating water system at Elizabeth Township housing community
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: County, state settle stormwater dispute
Lebanon Daily News: Would-be Lebanon councilman abruptly resigns as Elm Street manager
Roxbury News: House Bill 1197: Abolish the Pa Turnpike Commission
Roxbury News: Capitol Region Stonewall D’s – City Council candidates
Harrisburg Patriot News: PA senators unaffected by rash of ricin letters
Harrisburg Patriot News: Hartleton police chief under investigation for waiving citations in return for park donations
Harrisburg Patriot News: Why the Toomey-Manchin gun amendment fell short: analysis
Harrisburg Patriot News: Mandated reporter training bill passes House and moves to Senate
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County to zero in on budget cuts to departments
Harrisburg Patriot News: Rep. Charlie Dent to hold open house Friday in Dauphin County office
Harrisburg Patriot News: Court argument set on Gov. Corbett’s suit against NCAA sanctions
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg needs ability to override directives from state-appointed receiver, says Auditor General
Harrisburg Patriot News: Round two: Harrisburg City Council candidates debating Wednesday night
Harrisburg Patriot News: Dauphin County constable fighting official oppression charge
Harrisburg Patriot News: Mayor Linda Thompson touts expanded tax-abatement plan as benefit to midstate economy
Carlisle Sentinel: Online voter registration bill heads to Pa. House
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County Commissioners sign transit consolidation study letter
Carlisle Sentinel: GOP lawmakers seeking to merge Turnpike Commission with PennDOT

North by Northwest
AP: Pa. Senate moves swiftly on jury commissioner bill
Erie Times News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Toomey’s gun background check defeated
Erie Times News Campaign ‘13 Blog: Daneri supports Toomey on background checks
Centre Daily Times: Corbett’s lawsuit to overturn Penn State sanctions set for May – Laura

Opinions
Times-Tribune: COLTS great candidate for gas fleet
News Item: Anonymity in corruption cases unfair to the public
Standard Speaker: Closed primary shuts out voters
Carlisle Sentinel: Our View: County should think before it acts
Pottstown Mercury: Rafferty transportation plan for PA is necessary
Tribune-Review: Education reform: The ‘choice’ is clear
Post-Gazette: Bigger and better: The Senate has an improved plan for transportation

Blogs
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Simao Resigns as NorCo GOP Treasurer
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Donovan: Do You Wish To Lose Control Over Your Most Precious Asset?
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: The Real Reason Lamont McClure is Running For NorCo Exec
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: The Iron Lady Endorses Bell, Velez, Todd and Donovan
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Bob Donchez Unveils Plan For Fiscal Responsibility
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Freeman: Schools Need a Supply of EpiPens
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Donchez & Reynolds to Square Off on Monday
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Meet Alfonso Todd’s Campaign Manager
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: 48-Unit Apartment Complex Clears Final Hurdle in Bethlehem Tp
PennPatriot: Pittsburgh chief: Graffiti squad cut for staffing
PennPatriot: Pa. borough to stop sending trash to Harrisburg
PennPatriot: Hearing set on request to dismiss Pa. NCAA lawsuit
PennPatriot: Cost cuts raised by plans to up Pa. motorist taxes
PennPatriot: Online voter registration bill heads to Pa. House
PennPatriot: School budgets fare well in NJ elections
PennPatriot: Rutgers president to answer budget questions
Jon Geeting: Untold Human Suffering Caused By Excel Spreadsheet Error
Jon Geeting: Bob Donchez Releases Unambitious Fiscal Plan
Keystone Politics: WTF Is Jack Wagner Talking About?
Keystone Politics: Why Poor Women Went to Kermit Gosnell’s Clinic
Keystone Politics: Pat Toomey Should Support Filibuster Reform
Keystone Politics: Happy Tax Confusion Day
Keystone Politics: Momentum Building for Folding the Turnpike Commission Into PennDOT
Keystone Politics: Want to Vote in the PA Democratic Primaries? Register by April 22nd
Keystone Politics: PA Dems Pushing Early Voting and Same-Day Registration Bills
Keystone Politics: Democrats Join Republicans in Pennsylvania War on “Welfare”
Keystone Politics: Nobody Believes in Free Markets
Keystone Politics: Daylin Leach on the Filibustered Background Checks Bill
Keystone Liberty: Time for PA to Depart Amtrak’s Withering Western Rail
Keystone State Education Coalition: Pennsylvania Education Policy Roundup for April 17, 2013: According to minutes from 12/18/12 Agora Cyber Board mtg, your PA tax $$$ paid for 19,298 local TV commercials
Commonwealth Foundation: Are You a Bootlegger?
Commonwealth Foundation: Talking Pensions with Rep. Gabler
PA Budget and Policy Center: Pa. Should Not Spend Taxpayer Dollars to Subsidize New Markets for Natural Gas Producers
PA Budget and Policy Center: Memo: Marcellus Works Package Asks Taxpayers to Subsidize New Markets for Gas Producers
2 Political Junkies: Yes, They Tortured – And They’re Getting Away With It
Lu-Lac Political Letter: The LuLac Edition #2402, April 17th, 2013
Pennsylvania Progressive: Senate Conservatives Filibuster Background Checks
Above Average Jane: Philadelphia’s Creatures Great and Small
Above Average Jane: PA Reform Bills
John Hanger: Nuke Fact: 27% Of Nuclear Plant Was Not Operating On Tax Day & That Was Good For Gas
John Hanger: Time To Stop Making Carbon Excuses For China: China’s Per Capita Pollution Will Exceed USA’s By 2020
Citizens’ Call: Glenside Flood Control Project Continues to Evolve