We showcase the ideological ratings for the State Supreme Court candidates, Wolf names a new Public Utility Chair and we ask whether PA is still a swing state. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

State Supreme Court Candidates Graded on Ideological Scale: Crowdpac places the PA Supreme Court hopefuls on the ideological spectrum.

PA-Gov: Wolf Names New Public Utility Chair: Gladys Brown will chair the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

SEIU Endorses Three Democratic PA Supreme Court Candidates: The powerful labor group is backing Judges Dougherty, Lazarus and Wecht.

Is Pennsylvania Still a Swing State?: Has an inelastic electorate made PA’s presidential results predictable?

Dougherty Earns PA Auditor General’s Endorsement: The Democratic Supreme Court candidate won the coveted support of Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale.

PHL-15: Philadelphia Gay News Endorses Kenney: The ex-Councilman wins the support of the LGBT periodical.

Statewide
PLSReporter: House Democratic Leadership Set to Introduce Budget
PLSReporter: Another Pension Reform Plan to Enter the Mix
PLSReporter: And the Nominees Are…
StateImpactPA: Wolf’s Pick to Head PUC Will Promote Energy-Saving Policies, Green Groups Say
StateImpactPA: Environmentalists Sue FERC Over Cove Point LNG Project
State House Sound Bites: Harrisburg Lawyer to Lead State Utility Commission
State House Sound Bites: Midstate Mayors Warn Municipal Pension Crisis Looms
PA Independent: Legislation Giving PA Taxpayers Insight into Cost of Union Contracts on the Move

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Many mayoral candidates late, absent for session on poverty
Inquirer: As Ramsey backlash lingers, Williams doubles down
Inquirer: In mayor’s race, a monetary milestone
Inquirer: It’s campaign finance report time again! Diaz files early
Inquirer: Democratic lawyer named PUC’s new chair
Inquirer: Property-tax debate looms in Pa. House
Daily News: Sorry, but Tony Williams is not the new Stokely Carmichael
WHYY Newsworks: Ramsey sidesteps political minefield, focuses on leading Philly police force
WHYY Newsworks: Super PAC spending for campaign’s final week approaches $1 million
WHYY Newsworks: Philly trash measure appears to be in the bag
Philadelphia Business Journal: SBA head Maria Contreras-Sweet on her one-year report card, cutting red tape and being part of Obama’s inner circle
Philadelphia Business Journal: Chamber goes out on a limb: Recommends no one for mayor; favors mostly incumbent council candidates

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: 4 Spring-Ford School Board candidates vie for 2 Region 1 seats
Bucks County Courier Times: Council Rock appoints Fraser superintendent
Delco Daily Times: Primary Election 2015: Democrats seeking seat in Upper Darby’s 6th District
Delco Daily Times: Primary Election 2015: Republicans spar for Haverford’s 3rd, 7th wards

Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Santorum to Make ‘Big Announcement’ on May 27; Possible Presidential Run?
Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh Settles Police Hiring Discrimination Suit for $1.6M and Promise to Diversify
Tribune-Review: Allegheny County Councilwoman Danko Dies at 61
Tribune-Review: Ethics Report on Allegheny County Councilman Imminent
Post-Gazette: Michelle Figlar Named to Post in Pennsylvania Department of Education
Post-Gazette: County Health Board Bringing Back Food Safety Committee
Post-Gazette: Jobless Claims in U.S. Hover Near Lowest Levels in 15 Years
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Senate OKs Public Employee Collective Bargaining Bills
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Councilwoman Barbara Daly Danko Dies at 61
WESA: Allegheny County Councilwoman Barbara Daly Danko Dies at 61
WESA: With All the Talk About Pension Reform, A Look at Whether Existing Guidelines Are Enforced

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: API Study Shows Energy Investment Impact on Public Pension Funds
Observer-Reporter: District Judges Recertified
Altoona Mirror: Lawmakers Offer Pension Solutions
Tribune-Democrat: Candidates for Cambria County Commissioner Square Off in Richland Forum

NEPA
Times-Leader: Leighton, Wilkes-Barre Mayoral Candidate George Clash Over Solomon Creek Plan
Times-Leader: Pennsylvania Treasury Exceeds State Budget Revenue Projections
Times-Tribune: Scranton Pays $100,000 to Settle Claim of Discrimination Against People with Disabilities
Times-Tribune: Governor Meets with Mayors on Pensions
Citizens Voice: Prosecutors Seek to Have Convictions Upheld Against Disgraced Former Judge
News Item: Rosini Says Judge Would Be Another Way to Serve County
Standard Speaker: Shadowing Raises Fairness Questions in City Clerk Post

South Central
York Dispatch: On the Brink: York City School Depend on Volunteers for STEM Power
York Dispatch: Congressman Scott Perry Visits Voith, Touts Hydropower
York Dispatch: U.S. Appeals Court: NSA Phone Record Collection is Excessive (AP)
York Daily Record: Five Key Points About Pennsylvania’s Economy From the Independent Fiscal Conference
York Daily Record: State Sen. Mike Folmer Bill to Discuss Public Bargaining Contracts Passes Senate
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County Eyes ‘Silent Dispatch’ to Streamline 911 System
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation Looks to Add to Its Microloan Program
Roxbury News: Governor Wolf Sends Nominations to Senate
Roxbury News: Gladys Brown Named Chair of the PUC

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Joe Sestak Talks with The Reading Eagle: Four Takeaways
Reading Eagle: Hamburg Teachers Approve New Contract
Reading Eagle: Reading Mayoral Candidates Square Off in Centre Park Forum
WFMZ: Lower Saucon to Buy New $530,000 Fire Truck
WFMZ: Allentown School District Sued for Allegedly Failing to Protect Student From Sexual Assault
Morning Call: PPL Center Loses Tax Appeal
Morning Call: Talks Heat Up For 500 Talen Jobs, but Sen. Pat Browne’s Accident Keeps Key Man on Sideline

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Bucks County Non-profit Enters Centre County Courthouse Lawsuit Drama
Centre Daily Times: Jerry Sandusky Appeal Cites Several Issues With Case
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: GOP Seeks End to Traditional Pensions, Employee Concessions
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Study: Williamsport Ranks High in Rise of Middle Class
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: 2 Political Forums Set for Next Week
Erie Times-News: Probe Continues Into Crash Involving State Police Car in Erie

Opinion
Tribune-Review: Taming the Pa. Legislature: Start with Abiding by Article II, Section 8
Tribune-Review: Truth on Energy Exports & Small Business
Tribune-Review: Being a Good Neighbor
Post-Gazette: Margaret Carlson: The GOP’s Clown Conundrum
Post-Gazette: Kathleen Parker: It’s Not So Black and White
Post-Gazette: Conservatives Should Be Outraged at What Happened to Freddie Gray
Lancaster Intelligencer: Cut the Pa. General Assembly Down to Size, But Do it Right
York Daily Record: Let’s Document Historic York Co. Farms
Inquirer: L&I hasn’t been ‘fixed’
Bucks County Courier Times: Closed primary a stifling system

Blogs
Keystone Crossroads: Pittsburgh Transit Authority is Trying to Make it Easier to Ride the Bus
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: 250 NorCo Retirees have Lunch with Judicial Candidates
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Campaign Signs on Government Property Illegal
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: NorCo Council to Discuss Pay Hikes
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Psychotherapist to Run for NorCo Council
Citified: Want Your Kids to Grow Up Rich? Move to Bucks.
Citified: Dear Philly Media: Stop Calling the Mayoral Race Boring
Citified: Tony Williams’ Huge Gambit