Senator Casey has a few reasons to smile this morning. The latest Quinnipiac poll shows the Senator with decent re-elect numbers (47 to 31 percent), and Republicans have yet to recruit a candidate who Q-Pac deems worthy of matching up against him. The Morning Call has a big profile of the Senator this morning, attributing his numbers to his affable personality (and to prove it, includes interviews with a number of GOPers who like Casey).

In Harrisburg, lawmakers held another hearing on the subject of Congressional redistricting yesterday. They heard from Barry Kauffman of Common Cause, who detailed exactly how the process currently thwarts good government. And we took a look at State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, who chairs the PA House State Government Committee, and how his fidelity to the constitution and the founders’ intent may actually yield a more equitable redistricting process.

In Philly, Rep. Bob Brady has drawn a primary challenge. Former judge Jimmie Moore announced yesterday that he has filed with the FEC and will run for congress, regardless of redistricting. At the end of the day, he’s likely to be left facing Brady, the powerful Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party. Both men reside in the 34th Ward.

State Sen. Wozniak scored a win this week – the lawmaker has tried for ages to make the next PSU-Piit football game a reality, and yesterday both schools announced that they would face off in 2016 and again in 2017.

And it looks like Governor Corbett may have to choose between waiting for the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission report, and turning in his first budget late. Brad Bumstead of the Trib reports that lawmakers probably aren’t going to wait for the July 22nd report before pursuing a tax or fee proposal as part of the June 30th budget.

PoliticsPA Reports

Latest Q-Pac Poll Shows Casey Leading Empty Field
Voters say 47 – 31 percent, including 46 – 34 percent among independent voters, that Casey deserves to be re-elected in 2012. Quinnipiac didn’t poll either Republican in the race.

Redistricting Watch: Metcalfe Holds Hearing In Harrisburg
Daryl Metcalfe has the reputation of a partisan warrior in Harrisburg, but will his fidelity to the Constitution and Tea Party principles yield a more equitable redistricting process? PoliticsPA checked in at his State Government hearing today.

Jimmie Moore To Challenge Bob Brady
Jimmie Moore, an attorney and recently retired Philadelphia judge, announced this morning that he has filed with the FEC to challenge the incumbent D-1 Congressman and Chairman of the Democratic Party in Philadelphia.

Wozniak Scores: PSU-Pitt Rivalry Renewed
Yesterday, more than a decade since the two NCAA Division I football programs last met, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pittsburgh have agreed to renew their storied rivalry during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. PA Senator John Wozniak (D-Cambria) is deservedly applauding the news.

GOP Debate: How Did Rick Do?
Santorum performed well, and national TV coverage always helps, but did the former Senator rise above the rest in last night’s debate?

Casey, Toomey Vote To Eliminate Ethanol Subsidies
Both Pennsylvania Senators have signaled their willingness to scrap federal subsidies for the production of ethanol.

National
Morning Call: Likability helps Casey’s re-election chances
Tribune Review: Electability is most desired trait among GOP presidential primary voters
Early Returns: Weinergate: Pa. Delegation Reacts

Statewide
Tribune Review: Shale bills may collide with budget
State House Sound Bites: Bath Salts Ban Passes House; Passage Expected in the Senate
State House Sound Bites: Impact fee moves forward
PA Independent: Unemployment compensation bill continues to wait as House GOP divided
Commonwealth Confidential: Hundreds of Boxes of Records From Rendell Years As Governor Now Open To The Public
Capitol Ideas: Mid-Afternoon Budget Update
Capitol Ideas: A Quick Unemployment Update
Capitol Ideas: Wheelchair-Bound Activists Face Arrest For Capitol Camp-Out.
Commonwealth Confidential: Voters Support Gas Tax By 2-1 Margin
Chronicle of Higher Education: Where did your state rep and state senator go to college?
State House Sound Bites: Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO Meets the Pa. Press
Observer Reporter: Hearing draws protests, suppor
Post-Gazette: State Senate Panel Revises Drilling Fee Proposal
The Tribune Democrat: Proof at the polls
The Tribune Democrat: State’s flags to be lowered to honor fallen Marine
AP via the Inquirer:  Reform group criticizes Pa. redistricting system
AP via CBS Philly: 1,500 Philadelphia Teacher Layoffs Remain On Hold
AP via the Daily Item: Bill imposing impact fee on natural gas drilling moves to state
AP via the Daily Item: State Superior Court upholds conviction in pierced cat case
WHYY Newsworks:  Pa. Department of Health offers advice to Marcellus Shale Commission

Philly
PhillyClout: Soda Tax Opponents Rally Outside of City Hall
Heard in City Hall: Soda Tax Falling Flat, Again
The Inquirer: Ex-judge to challenge U.S. Rep. Brady in April
The Inquirer: Kenyatta Johnson defends Council win
Philly Now:  Bob Brady Will Have a Primary Challenger
Philly Now: Delaware River Waterfront Plan By The Numbers
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. to monitor cancer, other illnesses in fracking areas
WHYY Newsworks: Do laws banning cell phones while driving work?

Philly Suburbs
The Mercury: Pottstown council fails to ‘muzzle’ mayor
The Mercury: Reform groups criticize Pa.’s redistricting system
The Mercury: Pa. gas drilling hearing draws backers, opponents
Philly Burbs: Dredge spoils protest planned in Burlington City
Philly Burbs: Assemblyman Joseph Malone announces that he will not seek re-election
Daily Times: Pa. Senate panel sends drilling impact fee bill to the floor
AP via Patriot News: Gas-drilling fee proposal moved forward by Pennsylvania Senate committee

Pittsburgh
CBS: Expert Calls for Civility In Marcellus Shale Debate
CBS: U.S. Dept. Of Energy Gets Earful On Fracking
Early Returns: Raja’s PowerPoint Offensive
Early Returns: WashCo GOP Floods Frack Meeting
Post-Gazette: City, County Forced to Cut Summer Youth Job Programs
Post-Gazette: Hampton School Tax Hike Approved
Post-Gazette: LaGrotta Taken to Hospital From Courtroom
Post-Gazette: Poll shows gender gap on Corbett’s job approval

Southwest
The Beaver County Times: LaGrotta back home, sentencing on for Wednesday
Tribune Review: Fayette zoning board to take additional testimony on shooting range issue
Observer Reporter: Date set for vote on Peters crematory
Somerset Daily American: Somerset school delays final action on budget

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Education cuts hurting Gov. Tom Corbett
Morning Call: Gilbert’s name withdrawn for Northampton County finance director
WFMZ: Questions, Concerns Loom over State’s Funding of Early Childhood Education
WFMZ: Rendell Papers to be put on display at Pa. Archives
WFMZ: Residents call for Council Members resignation

South Central
AP via York Daily: Poll: strong support for gas drilling in PA
Patriot News: State will brief Dauphin County commissioners on Harrisburg’s debt recovery plan
Patriot News: Teachers, students protest Pennsylvania budget cuts
Patriot News:Harrisburg debt plan announcement doesn’t move bond market
Patriot News: Disability rights activists cited for camping during protest of Pennsylvania budget cuts
Patriot News: Postcards to lawmakers show support for restoring funding for social services in Pennsylvania budget
Patriot News: Poll: most Pennsylvanians want Marcellus Shale drillers to be taxed

North by Northwest
Courier Express: Giant Eagle fuel pumps OK’d
Erie Times: Police: Funding cuts could end record DUI arrests
Erie Times: How U.S. senators voted in week ending June 10

NEPA
The Times Leader: Contractor: ‘Preferred list’ status offered
Standard Speaker:  Vendor testifies on Pa. county head’s Playboy trip
The Daily Review: Senate confirms Allan as DCNR head
Go Lackawanna: Testimony: Cordaro profited from ski resort sale

Opinion
Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, Bucks Local: Path to energy independence requires cooperation, contributions from all sectors
G. Terry Madonna & Michael L. Young, Daily Times: Politically Uncorrected – Does it matter?
Observer Reporter: Executive branch is driving in style
The Altoona Mirror: Leave tobacco case revenue alone
Thomas Ferrick Jr., The Inquirer:  A contrast on pensions: New York acts, Philadelphia tweaks
Sun Gazette: Unsustainable state pension system must be changed
Patrick Paolini, Fox Philly: My View: School Funding In Philly