5/23 Morning Buzz

Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz. You know it’s a funny week when the Romney campaign emails out comments by Ed Rendell. The presidential race came to PA in a big way this week; polls and surrogates and super PACs, oh my.

Poll: Obama 50, Romney 42 in PA: President Obama is looking solid in Pennsylvania according to the latest survey by Public Policy Polling. He leads the former Massachusetts Governor 50 to 42, a 1 point boost from the firm’s March survey. And former Guv Tom Ridge gives Romney the biggest VP boost.

Crossroads Strikes with Another Negative Ad: Following up on last Wednesday’s negative broken promises advertisement, Republican Super PAC Crossroads GPS is at again, announcing that they will begin a new ad in PA starting Wednesday. The spot accuses Barack Obama of failing to create jobs, cut taxes, and reduce government debt.

Super PAC Battle Rages on in PA: Watch Latest Pro-Obama Ad: Pro-Obama Super PAC, Priorities USA Action, releases video Tuesday slamming Romney’s business integrity. The video features a laid-off worker from yet another factory closed by Bain Capital. It is part of a $4 million ad buy in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and Virginia.

Rendell: Bain Attacks “Disappointing” Former Gov. Ed Rendell has joined Newark Mayor Cory Booker in criticizing President Obama’s campaign decision to go after Mitt Romney’s Wall Street past. In an interview forwarded by Romney’s campaign, Rendell called the ads “disappointing” – though he said Bain is fair game.

Hey Look, Jeb Bush Wrote an Op-Ed in the Trib: It’s not a byline Pittsburgh newspaper readers are accustomed to. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, brother of former President George W. Bush, penned an op-ed in the Tribune Review Tuesday on the subject of energy. His name has been floated as a possible VP pick.

Online Finance Reports in PA? Thank God, PA may soon enter the 21st century on campaign finance reports. State Rep. Lynda Schlegel-Culver, R-Snyder, sponsored the measure, which was moved through the House State Government Committee on Tuesday with unanimous support. It’s more effective, more transparent and costs less.

Budget Round-Up: GOP on the Same Page: It’ll be lean and likely on time. Republican leadership in the House and the Senate agreed on a $27.6 billion target figure. They also agreed on a target date of June 13 for passage, 17 days before the deadline day of June 30.

Orie Melvin Suspended: What’s Next: The PA Supreme Court will lose its ability to overturn law in the absence of Joan Orie Melvin, who faces 9 charges related to illegal campaign activities.

Casey, Toomey Back Judicial Nominees: In a bit of bipartisanship, Senators Casey and Toomey spoke warmly of Matthew Brann and Malachy E. Mannion, the judicial nominees to the US District Court of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-40: The Post-Gazette has the skinny on the race to replace former Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny). The front runners for the nominations are former U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart (R-) and attorney Dan DeMarco (D), but there are apparently 10 Republicans in the running: Allison Park attorney Chris Abernathy; Doug Austin of Austin cleaning products in Mars; former North Allegheny school director Scott Cunningham; Allegheny County Councilman Matt Drozd; McCandless committee chairman Bill Kirk; North Hills school director Jeff Meyer; Butler County committee vice chair Robin Redding; Allegheny County GOP treasurer Karen Shaheen; and lobbyist Rob Vescio of Franklin Park.

National
Post-Gazette: U.S Attorney proposes prescription drug summit
Post-Gazette: Bethel Park man’s story sets Romney’s business record straight
AP: Romney adds to delegate with win in Kentucky
AP: ‘A woman who…’ Romney’s stories court females
AP: THE RACE: Polls show presidential race tightening
AP: Independent groups launch dueling campaign ads
AP: Obama to push clean energy technologies in Iowa
AP: Romney looks to pad delegate with lead in 2 primaries
AP: Romney’s playbook on Bain unclear as attacks grow
AP: Old feud in Bush administration part of Ariz. race
AP: Who will drones target? Who in the U.S will decide?
AP: Obama on Afghan: Leave on time, no ‘perfect’ end
AP: Obama snubs Pakistan head over supply routes
The Washington Post: Nuclear regulatory commission chief resigns
The New York Times: Fund-Raising for Romney Eats Into Obama’s Edge
The New York Times: Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Surveillance Case
McClatchy Newspapers: NATO backs Obama’s exit plan for Afghanistan
Early Returns: Obama SuperPAC counterpunches in ad
Early Returns: PPP: Obama opens 8-pt lead in Pa
Early Returns: Rove SuperPAC fascinating new ad
Early Returns: Face it: Ohio more swinging than Pa
Early Returns: Rendell: Bain ads “disappointing”
PhillyNow: 7 Counties to determine Pennsylvania vote, possibly election
PhillyNow: GOP wants you to ‘stand with’ Gov. Rendell AGAINST Obama
PhillyNow: Q&A: Former NFL player, current LGBT activist Wade Davis on Obama support
Fox Philadelphia: Biden steps up criticism of Romney’s business experience
Roll Call: Harry Reid: tax deal unlikely before elections
Morning Call: PPP: Obama ahead in Pennsylvania, Toomey on ticket doesn’t help Romney
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers use slightly higher diction than their peers
National Journal: Another poll shows White House race a toss up
The Hill: CBO: Recession in 2013 unless Congress acts on fiscal issues

Statewide
Tribune Review: Melvin’s hearing postponed until June 8th
AP: DeWeese denied bail, return to jail expected
AP: House OKs sales-tax exemptions for airplanes
AP: Legislative leaders vow no post-election law making
Post-Gazette: Joan Orie Melvin claims political agenda
Post-Gazette: State House prepares to tackle budget
Inquirer: The PA state budget: GOP lawmakers put a date on it
AP: Former Pa. House leader DeWeese denied bail

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Catholic students lobby for vouchers

SEPA
CBS Philadelphia: Pa. Congressman wants stronger college sex crime reporting laws

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: GOP eyes mid August special for Orie’s seat
Tribune  Review: Fitzgerald vows transit changes
Post-Gazette: Ex-Pittsburgh council aide accused in chain-saw case waives preliminary hearing
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County puts more information online for property reassessment challenges
KDKA: Local Groups Head to Harrisburg to Protest Budget Cuts
AP: Pennsylvania firm announces $3.8 million gas pipeline expansion

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Bentworth approves plan with no tax jumps

NEPA
Standard Speaker: City council may have to follow Right-to-Know
Standard Speaker: Budget talks address programs for the disabled

South Central
Chambersburg Public Opinion: County Commissioners do away with jury commissioners
Patriot-News: Judge Bonnie Brignance Leadbetter is a key player in efforts to resolve Harrisburg’s crushing debt crisis.
Patriot-News: ANALYSIS: How is Mitt Romney turning the tide in the ‘War on Women’

North by Northwest
Erie Times News: Erie diocese sues federal government over contraception requirements
Erie Times News Campaign ’12 Blog: former U.S. Rep Kathy Dahlkemper (Erie) pitches in for Obama campaign

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Obama ahead in Pennsylvania, Toomey on ticket doesn’t help Romney
Reading Eagle: Boisterous Reading teachers protest Corbett education cuts
Reading Eagle: Corbett says spending cuts will grow economy
WFMZ: Macungie wants 24/7 police protection
WFMZ: Attorney General announces arrests in statewide fraud scheme
WFMZ: Protesters sound off outside event where Gov. speaks
WFMZ: Pa. school groups’ survey sees grimmer finances
WFMZ: Pa. House panel backs Senate budget on party lines

Opinions
Tribune Review: The lost debate: Reject the hustle
Tribune Review:  Religious Liberty
Tribune Review: Tuesday Takes: Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: G-8 debate: Walking the line between growth and austerity
Post-Gazette: No-litter zone: The city gets tough on trashing Pittsburgh
Daily News Op-ed: Gambling on Pensions
Daily Times Editorial: Obama’s remarks won’t win the women vote
Daily Local Op-ed: An attack on the freedom of conscience
Daily Local Op-ed: President Obama’s remarks will not win over women voters
Daily Item: Good or bad, smaller government a result of Great Recession
USA Today: Op-ed  – What about the war on kids?
Patriot-News: Corrections: Governor should heed coalitions proposals

Blogs
Keystone Liberty: School Choice Generates Big Savings for Schools and Taxpayers
Keystone State Education Coalition: PA Charter Schools: $4 Billion in Public Funding without Public Scrutiny
PA Budget and Policy Center: $2 Billion in Business Tax Breaks Come at Expense of Schools, Communities
Lehigh Valley Independent: Farmland Protection or Exclusionary Zoning?
Lehigh Valley Independent: Townships Already Seeing Benefits From Urban Growth
2 Political Junkies: Councilman Peduto To Be Named Common Cause PA’s “Champion of Good Government 2012”
Pennsylvania Progressive: Murder at Rockview
Pennsylvania Progressive: News & Notes May 22, 2012
Pennsylvania Progressive: Metcalfe Wants to Defund Planned Parenthood
Above Average Jane: Sunlight Foundation: Dumbing Down of Political Speech
Above Average Jane: Endorsements for Dietz
Above Average Jane: Endorsement for Mark Painter
Keystone Progress: All PA Dems have now disaffiliated from ALEC
Keystone Progress: PSEA President: Corbett plan is no solution for financially distressed schools
Keystone Politics: The 7 Counties Progressives Should Volunteer in This Fall
Keystone Politics: PPP: Obama Crushing Romney By 20 Points With PA Women
Keystone Politics: House Approps Dems Reject GOP Budget on Party Line Vote
Keystone Politics: Report: Corbett’s Cuts Forcing Districts to Cut “Programs That Directly Affect Student Learning”
Keystone Politics: Would HB 1776 Eliminate the Need for School Districts?
John Hanger: Al Gore Tweets To Ban Fracking: More Carbon Pollution Would Be The Result
John Hanger: G8 World Leaders Highlight Upcoming IEA “Golden Rules For Gas Report” To Be Released 5/29

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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