Good morning politicos, here’s the buzz. Lots of news today! Republicans reach a budget deal; what’s being said in the three latest ad buys (two anti-Obama and one anti-Romney); Smith slams Casey for an anti-coal vote; and see what Critz is doing to keep his lead in the polls.

GOP Reaches Budget Deal: Gov. Corbett and Republican legislative leaders agreed to a $27.656 billion budget framework Wednesday afternoon, about a $500 million increase from Corbett’s original figure. Reports indicate that it’s a trade off in order to ensure cooperation to create tax breaks for the Shell ethane cracker plant.

Critz Poll: Critz 46, Rothfus 36: An internal poll from Mark Critz’s campaign shows the incumbent Congressman with a ten point lead over opponent Keith Rothfus.

Critz Camp: Obama a Liability, Won’t Attend DNC: Rep. Mark Critz won’t attend the Democratic National Convention in September, and his campaign spokesman didn’t pull any punches when asked why: President Obama is a liability in western PA.

PA TV Stations Doing Fine: 2 Anti-Obama Super PACs to Spend $1.8 Mil (Watch Videos): The pro-Romney super PAC Restore Our Future and the Tea Party-affiliated Americans for Prosperity both launched TV ads in PA Wednesday. The highly similar spots hammer President Obama over his recent comment that, “the private sector is doing fine.” They’ll spend a combined $1.8 million in PA.

Update: Obama Ad Ties Romney’s Bain & Guv Records (Watch Video): The Obama campaign has released another ad today complementing the message that Romney Economics does not work. The ad deals with Romney’s record of raising taxes and fees on the middle class as Governor.

Casey Vote for EPA Regs is Miner Issue, Says Smith: Today Sen. Casey voted against a resolution preventing the EPA from enacting new regulations on pollution and air safety. Its critics say the EPA rules will slow down the coal industry and make costs go up, but Casey said he voted his conscience to put health before profit.

Romney’s Wawa-Gate: a Rundown: Which makes Mitt Romney least qualified to serve as Commander in Chief: that he pronounced ‘Wawa’ with an ‘S’, that he expressed playful amazement at the touch screen ordering system, or that he ordered a meatball sub rather than a hoagie? Here’s a rundown of the ridiculous coverage of Wawa-gate.

School Districts Brace for Budget: Across the state, school boards are cutting sports, specialized classes and transportation while freezing salaries and raising taxes in an effort to balance their budgets.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-15: Congratulations to Republican John McNally. In the race for the seat of retiring Sen. Jeff Piccola, a potential pickup for Dems just got less likely. Alvin Taylor, who lost the Democratic primary to Rob Teplitz, is announcing a write-in campaign. Teplitz, statewide Dems’ recruit for the seat, won by 1.8 percent – fewer than 300 votes. In a press release Wednesday, Taylor complained at length about the primary campaign and a Teplitz flier that implied he has the Dauphin Dems endorsement. If Taylor goes through with it, he’ll syphon votes that would otherwise oppose McNally.

SD-37: ChamberPAC, the political branch of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, has endorsed Republican candidate Raja for the seat of retiring Sen. John Pippy (over Dem write-in Greg Parks). The Chamber bills itself as a bipartisan PAC dedicated to job growth and the state’s largest broad-based business association (though it endorses Republicans the overwhelming majority of the time). Chamber President Gene Barr said that they gave Raja the endorsement because of his skills in business leadership, dedication to educating future students and boosting job growth.

National
The Hill: Discontent with Obama in coal country grows
The Hill: House panel votes 23-17 to place Holder in contempt of Congress
The Hill: Obama criticized Bush administration for trying to ‘hide’ behind executive privilege
The Hill: Major lobbying ban inserted into House spending legislation
The Hill: Romney faces pressure from both GOP, Dems on immigration policy
National Journal: Obama Demonstrates His Power, Fast and Furiously
Politico: Obama campaign: We’ll face a $1.2 billion Romney/super PAC spree
Politico: Bloomberg pollster: Numbers were surprising, doesn’t mean they were wrong
Politico: Pro-Romney super PAC raised $5M in May
Politico: Sarah Palin defends her silence on Mitt Romney
Roll Call: Senate Blocks Attempt to Overturn EPA Emissions Standards
Roll Call: Pennsylvania: Internal Critz Poll Shows 10-Point Lead
Roll Call: More Compliance Seen for Politically Active Nonprofits
The Caucus: New Ads Trade Shots on the Economy
The Caucus: Speaking of Economy, Let’s Talk about Immigration
The Caucus: Supreme Court Could Pose New Challenge for Romney on Immigration
Morning Call: Corbett eyeing Liquor Control Board housecleaning

Statewide
Capitolwire: Gov, leaders agree on $27.656 billion. Still $25 million to $80 million to reconcile
Capitolwire: Corbett defends using industry job projections for cracker. Says annual cap might move
Capitol Ideas: Framework for $27.656B budget reached.
PA Independent: Big government, big business, big labor back $1.65B tax credit for big oil
AP: Wagner renews criticism of charter-school funding
AP: Corbett, lawmakers announce budget agreement

Philadelphia
The Inquirer: Pa. officials announce budget deal, mum on details
The Inquirer: Corbett, lawmakers say deal reached on Shell tax credits
The Inquirer: State auditor general: Charters draining $365M annually
The Inquirer: Nutter and Clarke meet in city’s budget issues
The Inquirer: Toll bridge to replace Scudder Falls span clears a hurdle

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: GOP loyalist lands work at county-funded agency

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Rep. Mark Critz, other Dems, to skip convention in favor of campaigning
Tribune Review: Candidates use lawyers for early battles
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Corbett urges support for ethane tax credit; says annual cap may change
Early Returns: Casey votes for EPA clean air rules
Early Returns: Critz poll claims 10 point lead
Early Returns: Another set of budget two-a-days
Early Returns: Critz still seeking to cut ties with Obama
Early Returns: New Pa ad strikes for/against Obama

NEPA
Times-Tribune: City of Scranton financial flap attracting unflattering national attention
The Times-Tribune: Former Sen. Arlen Specter joins the DeNaples legal team
Citizens Voice: County code compels same-sex couples to identify relationship
Daily Item: 12 return to Shamokin area as board OKs $28M budget

South Central
York Daily Record: Prosecution rests after former aide says Stetler knew he campaigned on state time
York Daily Record: Expert opinions: Prosecution rests, what could defense be?
York Daily Record: Former mayoral candidates react to legislative aide having worked on Brenner campaigns
York Daily Record: York City School Board adopts budget with 17 percent tax hike
York Dispatch: Senate passes bill authorizing school takeover
Harrisburg Patriot-News: House Judiciary Committee passes legislation to strengthen laws for child abuse victims
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Gov. Tom Corbett sells $1.7 billion refinery tax credit as ‘really a jobs bill’
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Susan Corbett hosts education summit at Governor’s residence in Harrisburg
Harrisburg Patriot-News: Susan Corbett advocates drop-out reduction initiative in Harrisburg

North By Northwest
Erie Times: State grants to upgrade Conneaut Lake Park, Titusville City Hall
Sharon Harold: School directors approve budget
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Williamsport school budget passed, 35 staff cut
AP: State refinery tax credit to get lawmakers’ scrutiny
AP: House bill would raise rural airport subsidies
AP: Pa. for-profit education firm answers fed lawsuit

Opinion
Williamsport Sun Gazette: One more hurdle for liquor privatization
The Times-Tribune: Foolish to hire, only to fire
York Dispatch: Op-ed: The other war on women
Daily News: Council has part to play in overturning Citizens United
The Inquirer: Their dreams aren’t about politics
The Inquirer: President Romney, Day One
New York Times: Don’t Shut the Golden Door
Delco Daily Times: EDITORIAL: Fine whine! Privatization goes back on shelf

Blogs
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: NIZ becomes issue in Hahn-Altieri race
John Hanger: Inhofe bill to kill EPA air toxic rule loses 46-53
Keystone Politics: Philly should beat back land speculators with a land value tax
Keystone Politics: Shell Cracker: about that “20,000” jobs talking point
Keystone Politics: PA-12 Keith Rothfus working with the dues that made those racist Mustio ads
Keystone Politics: Wisdom from Daylin Leach on payday loans
Keystone Politics: ObamaCare saves young person from $10,000 in medical debt
Keystone Progress: Could farming bill funding shift have an environmental toll?
Above Average Jane: Two education bills
The Pennsylvania Progressive: News and Notes June 20, 2012
The Pennsylvania Progressive: Rep. Tom Caltagirone (hearts) Gov. Tom Corbett­
2 Political Junkies: VoterID lawsuit
Commonwealth Foundation: Who will help CF save your money?
Keystone State Education Coalition: EITC/EISC “Scholarships: My big fat Pennsylvania voucher