State Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) is taking his first statewide step today, announcing an exploratory committee for Auditor General in 2012.

In the first of a three-part poll report on Allegheny County races, Municpoll/PoliticsPA showed that County Councilman Chuck McCullough leads Mt. Lebanon Commissioner and businessman D. Raja 30-24, but has much higher negatives. Check out that story, and stay tuned for our poll of the Democratic primary races later today.

And it looks like the state’s redistricting commission will have to go to the PA Supreme Court to get a chair. The important commission is charged with drawing up PA’s new electoral maps based on census data, but was unable to agree on a fifth member by yesterday’s deadline. The five-person panel has a representative from each caucus, meaning 2 Dems vs. 2 Republicans, and the chair will be the crucial, tie-breaking vote.

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

PoliticsPA Reports

DePasquale Moves Toward Auditor General Bid
State Representative Eugene DePasquale (D-York) today announced that he is exploring a candidacy for Auditor General in 2012, an office that matches his record and reputation for scrupulous spending in the State House.

Exclusive: Poll Shows McCullough With Slight Lead in GOP Race for Allegheny Exec
County Councilman Chuck McCullough holds a slight 30-24 lead in the primary matchup with Mt. Lebanon Commissioner and businessman D. Raja.

Santorum Responds to Obama’s Announcement That He Is Running for Re-Election
Our former Senator is predictably not too happy with President Obama’s surprise announcement that he’ll be seeking re-election in 2012.

Time Magazine: Could Shale Gas Power the World?
For more than a decade, Bonnie Burnett and her husband Truman have owned a second home in the hilly farmland of Bradford County, in northeastern Pennsylvania. It was a getaway for the Burnetts (who live three hours to the south, in Stroudsburg), a place to take their grandchildren for a swim in the wooded pond that lies just a few steps from their front door. “It used to be heaven here,” says Bonnie. “We were going to move here to live.” The Burnetts say their plans changed when a natural gas drilling operation on an adjacent property started less than 400 ft. (122 m) from their house.

Video: Leno Tweaks Rep. Marino
In our zeal for April Fools Day, we missed a few stories that broke on Thursday night and Friday. One of which was bad news for Rep. Tom Marino, whose office has watched with dismay as the Congressman’s misunderstood comments on Libya made it all the way to the Tonight Show.

Headlines
Fox Philadelphia: Transportation Sec. LaHood Announces Gas Pipeline Initiative in Allentown
Attention: Schedulers and Constituents… The Hill: Pols change plans in case of shutdown (spoiler alert: the Pa. delegation may be in DC rather than their districts this weekend)
Fox Philadelphia: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Spoke at Penn
The Big Tent: President Obama Running for Re-Election
Capitol Ideas: Selectus Interruptus: No Chair for Redistricting Commission Yet
AP: Environment Groups Demand Federal Government Analyze Marcellus Shale Drilling
Times-Tribune: Bill Eyes Campus Gas Lease Royalties
State House Sound Bites: Rendell alum push back on stimulus use
From Across the Delaware River… Inquirer: Former Rep. John Adler Died (he was defeated in 2010 by Former Philadelphia Eagles Tackle John Runyan)
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Considers Redistributing Happy Hours
Inquirer: Verna’s retirement leaves lively field to succeed her on Council
Citizens’ Voice: Bill eyes campus gas lease royalties
Citizens’ Voice: State Superior Court enrolls in high school
Standard Speaker: Depot workers still looking for raises
The Morning Call: Federal budget crisis puts jobs programs at risk
Daily News: Bar association judges them ‘not recommended’
AP: Pa. House moves to ban bath salts, fake marijuana
WFMZ: Pa. to receive more than $100 million to help struggling homeowners
Post-Gazette: Ferlo calls for shale reversal policy.
Post-Gazette: 500 march to honor King, back natural gas tax
Post-Gazette: Penn States students rally against Corbett’s cuts
Post-Gazette: Driller ordered to halt after well water contaminated
Post-Gazette: Pa. House panel OK’s changes to defendants’ liability
Post-Gazette: Lawmakers can’t agree on chairman for redistricting panel
Tribune-Review: Motorcyclists still drinking at higher rate in Pennsylvania
Tribune-Review: Turzai: Cut welfare, boost higher ed spending

Opinions
John Baer, Daily News: Could ‘Stashed’ Funds Help Pa. Schools In Crisis
National Interest, WHYY Newsworks: It’s not necessarily the economy, stupid
Tribune-Review Editorial: AARP’s gold mine at your expense
Tribune-Reveiw Editorial: Dumping aliens
Post-Gazette Editorial: Bridge Blues: Pennsylvania infrastructure earns a dubious rating