Good morning politicos, here’s the buzz. A budget deal gets closer, the presidential back-and-forth continues, and Fitzpatrick takes some heat.

Thanks to our conservative friend @dcseth, who noted that Rush Limbaugh featured a PoliticsPA article on his show Wednesday.

Pa. House and Senate Nearing Budget Agreement: State House and Senate leaders have both said they are approaching a budget agreement, and well in advance of the June 30 deadline. They aim to present a budget to Gov. Tom Corbett by next week.

Fitzpatrick Gets Burned on Chemical Tariff Suspension Proposals: Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Levittown) has recently come under fire after it was discovered that eight of the 12 bills he proposed directly benefited a donor and company in his district. The eight bills would temporarily suspend tariffs on imported chemicals.

Job Creator: Romney vs. Obama: Who is the real job creator, Mitt Romney or Barack Obama? Fiercely debated, the question remains a central theme in both presidential campaigns as Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Butler) and a Somerset businessman laud Romney’s private sector experience while highlighting Obama’s sluggish economic recovery.

National
AP: Bitter primaries undercut GOP hopes in 3 states
AP: Obama’s health care aid to small firms disappoints
AP: Romney cinches nomination, but Trump overshadows
AP: Obama Team to focus on Romney’s record in Mass.
AP: Obama calls Romney, congratulates him on GOP nod
AP: What’s next for Romney? Undercut Obama, raise money
KYW Newsradio: Planned Parenthood rolls out anti-Romney campaign
KYW Newsradio: Why Wisconsin’s recall election matters to Obama and Romney
Fox Philadelphia: New website preserves deleted politicians’ tweets
Roll Call: Conservative group blasts tariff ‘earmarks’
Pennsylvania Avenue: First lady Michelle Obama to campaign in Philadelphia next week
Washington Post: Incumbent primary losses begin to mount, may approach record

Statewide
Inquirer: Gov. Corbett signs bill to protect student athlete from sudden death
Philadelphia Daily News: Corbett shakeup par for course
Pottstown Mercury: Corbett signs three execution warrants
AP: Corbett attacked in ad; huddles with advisers
AP: Pa. finds out-of-staters were using welfare cards
Morning Call: Gov. Tom Corbett downplays staff shift
Morning Call: In Norristown, Corbett downplays reports of internal upheaval
Morning Call: Wednesday morning coffee: Pension reform (take two)
Tribune Review: Union boss: 401(k)s insufficient for state government employees
Tribune Review: Orie seeks to shield pension, campaign cash
Tribune Review: ‘We’ve got a ways to go’ to save 911th, Casey says
Early Returns: Obama operative: Pa voters racist, but would rather drink with Obama than Romney
Early Returns: Budget talks blooming early in Hbg
Patriot News: Republican senators propose changes to new employees pension
Patriot News: Statewide radio system’s dead air continues to cost Pennsylvania money
WFMZ: Pa. law to educate about sudden cardiac arrest
WFMZ: Study suggests Pa. tourism commission, tax changes

Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. lawmakers challenges legality of Nutter’s tax plan
KYW Newsradio: Two Pa. Lawmakers Propose Diverting some Gambling Taxes for Philadelphia Schools
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia Lawmakers Still Haggling Over Budget, Unfazed by June 1st Deadline
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia Lawmakers Eye New Use for Old Trash: Energy Production

SEPA
Daily Local: Corbett discusses funding for senior services such as Pocopspon

Lehigh Valley
AP: Corbett attacked in ad; huddles with advisers
Morning Call: Gov. Tom Corbett downplays staff shift
Morning Call: In Norristown, Corbett downplays reports of internal upheaval
Morning Call: Wednesday morning coffee: Pension reform (take two)
WFMZ: Study suggests Pa. tourism commission, tax changes

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Judge refuses stay in UPMC-West Penn lawsuit
Tribune Review: ‘We’ve got a ways to go’ to save 911th, Casey says
Tribune Review: Bill that would keep 911th open still months from final vote
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices overturn rape case decision
Tribune Review: Orie seeks to shield pension, campaign cash
Post-Gazette: Montour superintendent pays $5,000 for ethical violation
Early Returns: Pa GOP: process for Orie replacement bid
Early Returns: “30 Rock” star joins schools lobbying effort
Early Returns: Obama operative: Pa voters racist, but would rather drink with Obama than Romney
Early Returns: Budget talks blooming early in Hbg
Early Returns: Roddey: GOP’s Kumbaya with Fitz
KDKA: City Councilman Blocks Tax Break Extension
KDKA: Environmental Groups To Sue Over ‘Little Blue’

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Little Blue Run group challenging FirstEnergy
Beaver County Times: First Energy to supply Ohio from Bruce Mansfield
Observer-Reporter: County commissioner, ex-husband in court over money obligation
Observer-Reporter: Sources tie demise of drug program to destroyed evidence
Valley News Dispatch: Union boss: 401(k)s insufficient for state government employees
Indiana Gazette: PURCHASE LINE: North school closing OK’d
Indiana Gazette: School board approves fact-finder’s report; teachers to vote next
Indiana Gazette: School directors delay decision on energy-savings plan
Indiana Gazette: County jobless rate unchanged in April
Somerset Daily: Somerset County authority applies for lowest grant amount in 15 years
Daily Courier: Fayette to seek review of jail operations
Daily Courier: Fayette nonunion staffers get added pay boost

NEPA
The Times Tribune: Find out what’s ailing Susquehanna
Citizens Voice: Justice Melvin should resign
Standard Speaker: Senate panel OKs bill to encourage mine water for fracking

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson to oppose any legislation barring city from bankruptcy protection
Harrisburg Patriot News: Republican senators propose changes to new employees’ pensions
York Daily Record: Corbett talks education, money and more with newspaper editors
York Dispatch: Special report: Schools, state scrap over savings
York Dispatch: York County worries funding won’t keep up with needs of older residents
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: GOP wants pension reform
Lebanon Daily News: Toomey to attend Palmyra briefing

Opinion
Philadelphia Daily News: A responsibility to share the burden
Daily Local: Competition Improves Life for America’s Workers
Delco Daily Times: Romney’s views on education earn failing grade
Morning Call Op-ed: Senior medical patrol helps identify Medicare fraud
Courier Express: ‘Budget cuts to cause pain!’ Well…duh
Williamsport Sun Gazette: More claws removed from voter ID law
Chambersburg Public Opinion: PO Editorial: Keep General Assistance benefit in the state budget

Blogs
Speaking Freely (ACLU-PA): Noxious creeping: amending the PA Wiretap Act (Part I)
Keystone State Education Coalition: What would you like to ask Tom Corbett?
NEPArtisan: Eliminating school property tax: HB 1776
NEPArtisan: Mitt Romney not American!
2 Political Junkies: Venture capitalist Mitt Romney outspends all contenders to acquire Republican presidential nomination
PA Water Cooler: Welcome to the party, Jo Ann Nardelli
Pennsylvania Progressive: Campaign 2012: Romney wraps it up
Keystone Progress: Lobbyists from Just One Association plan to spend $80 million in corporate cash to elect pro-big business Congressmen this year
Keystone Politics: Has anybody seen Rick Daughtry?
Keystone Politics: Giving Philly city council veto power over bike lanes is a bad idea
John Hanger: International Energy Agency golden rules say fracking can & must be safe or else!
John Hanger: The Economist Writes about “fracking good news” or America’s slashed carbon emissions
North Pittsburgh Politics: North of the Burgh: Keith Rothfus and my family concerning healthcare