Lou Barletta’s office has had an interesting week. In response to several days of criticism over their supposed ban of recording devices by non-press, the office issued a statement saying there never was a ban, and that the event in question was private. Shortly thereafter, video surfaced of the event, wherein a Barletta staffer seemingly acknowledges that the event was public, but asks the cameraman to shut down anyway.

It’s state committee weekend! Check out our previews of the Democratic meeting at Seven Springs, and the GOP meeting in Hershey. We’ll tell you what (and who) to watch. It’s a chance for official party business, and a little of the business of partying. Prospective candidates will try their luck at courting the support of activists and insiders.

PS – to party schedulers: try a little bipartisan cooperation and avoid planning both events on the same weekend!

Can Nick Miccarelli cut the Gordian Knot? He’s gonna try. The Delco State Rep. is introducing a Marcellus shale severance tax that puts 100 percent of revenue toward a reduction in the personal income tax. Sure there are no designated impact or environmental funds, but Miccarelli says at least it’s something, and it can avoid a Corbett veto. Sen. Dominic Pileggi has a similar idea, with funds going to freeze property taxes for residents over 65 years old.

Former Congressman Patrick Murphy has raised $500,000 in the six weeks following his candidacy announcement for Attorney General. With $450K on hand, Murphy’s campaign reports that none of the haul is from Murphy himself, nor from campaign loans.

Sukanya Roy, a 14-year old native of South Abbington near Scranton, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee last night. Congrats to her, and her sponsor the Wilkes Barre Times Tribune. Carlisle native Joanna Ye, sponsor WITF, finished third.

And don’t forget to check PoliticsPA later today for the Ups & Downs.

PoliticsPA Reports

GOP State Committee Summer 2011 Preview
It’s that time of year again. PA’s Republican insiders will visit the Hershey Lodge and Hershey Park to catch up on the latest party buzz (and ride the rides with a few elected officials). Here is what to watch this weekend.

Democratic State Committee Summer 2011 Meeting Preview
PoliticsPA gives you the skinny on what’s going on and what to watch at this weekend’s Democratic State Committee Meeting.

Barletta: There Was Never A Recording Ban (UPDATED: w/video of a staffer enforcing the ban)
“There is no ban on recording public forums held by Rep. Barletta. There has never been a ban on recording public forums held by Rep. Barletta,” his office said in a statement. Rep. Barletta has been under scrutiny following reports that his office had banned the use of recording devices by attendees who were not members of the press.

Patrick Murphy Raises $500K In AG Race
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy has raised $500,000 in the six weeks following his candidacy announcement. With $450K on hand, Murphy’s campaign reports that none of the haul is from Murphy himself, nor from campaign loans.

Can Nick Miccarelli Cut The Gordian Knot?
The Marcellus shale tax question is at least as complicated as the intractable knot of ancient lore. State Rep. Miccarelli will introduce a bill that taxes Marcellus shale and passes the muster of Gov. Corbett and Grover Norquist. Sounds simple, right?

National
CBS News: Rick Santorum: GOP must push back on Dems ‘absurd’ Medicare claims
PR newswire: PA Military and Veterans affairs hall of fame welcomes new inductees

Statewide
Daily Local: Schools Hold More than $2 Billion in reserve Funds
Early Returns: Casey Talks Fracking Oversight
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelpha-area lawmakers propose Pa. Drilling Taxes
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Lawmakers Come To Philadelphia Seeking Answers On Gosnell Clinic
Tribune-Review: Consultant to Review Top Brass at Pennsylvania Turnpike
Inquirer: Wegmans Nixes LCB Wine Kiosks
AP: DEP suggests stronger drilling rules are needed
AP: PA’s DEP wants to toughen gas drilling rules, fines
AP: Pa. may ban teens from tanning salons
Tribune-Review: Wagner, GOP agree: Don’t spend $540 million ‘surplus’
Fox 43: Harrisburg Mayor Linda D. Thompson Sues City Controller Daniel Miller and Treasurer Paul Wambach Over Direct Deposit
AP: Budget battle is all about politics
Lebanon Daily News: Swanger testifies on tanning-bed bill
Gettysburg Sun Gazette: Commissioners approve child care contract
Gettysburg Sun Gazette: State health group wants more transparency for consumers
Gettysburg Sun Gazette: Touring Marcellus ‘epicenter’
Morning Call: Fuel added to budget surplus debate
Morning Call Washington Bureau: GOP puts Barletta, Fitzpatrick on protected list

Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Palin Offers Flowers As Apology For Daughter’s Run-In With Photographer
PhillyNow: Councilman Frank DiCicco Scraps Homeless Citation Bill – For Now
Daily News: Split At The Top In D.A. Office?
Inquirer: Controller Urges ‘Enhanced Measures’ In Auditing of Philadelphia School District
Daily News: Council At A Loss Without Schools Stats
Commonwealth Confidential: From AG to DA’s Office, Blessington Joins Philly Corruption Unit
Inquirer: Protest Blasts Plan To Crackdown On Homeless
Inquirer: Council Committee OKs Loading Zone for Ride The Ducks
The Inquirer: Taxes are a real kick in the class for Philly

Philly Suburbs
Bucks County Courier Times: Gov. Corbett Approves $2M For Projects In Lower Makefield
Montgomery Media: Perkasie write-in candidate Justin Stottlar confirmed on fall ballot
Phillyburbs.com: Township still needs $430K for planned sewer project
Yardley: Supervisors revise summer meeting schedule
Montgomery Media: New Pennridge Regional Police buildings arriving soon
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough Council turns down request for First Fourth Parade (DOCUMENT)
PhillyBurbs.com: Mensch appeals conviction
Bucks Local News: Pennsbury: Judge awaits arguments from attorneys in the Wayne DeBlasio case
Bucks Local News: Bucks County awards $37.18M narrows contract to Motorola
Daily Times: Quarry Center plans moving forward
Daily Times: Proposed shopping center in Darby draws protesters (With Video)
Daily Times: Chester Upland officials address budget concerns, staff cuts

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: ACORN Back in News, Court
Early Returns: Ravenstahl Starts Radio Speeches
Early Returns: Fielder Resigns as 12th Ward Chair
Tribune-Review: Announcement Could Come Soon on West Penn Allegheny Buyout
Post-Gazette: Judge Promises a Prompt Ruling on Voter Law
Post-Gazette: North Allegheny to Vote Tonight on New Superintendent
Tribune-Review: North Allegheny Hires New Superintendent
Post-Gazette: Parkers At Meters in City Burn Bigger Holes in Pockets
Times Union: New Report Praises Pittsburgh Schools

Southwest
Daily American: Public feedback mixed on Route 31 plan
Daily American: Mitt Romney makes 2012 GOP bid official
Tribune Democrat: GOP hopefuls oppose center

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Improved Tax Collections Still Not Keeping Pace With States’ Fiscal Needs
Patch: Drilling opponents disrupts State Rep. Simmons’ Marcellus shale forum
Morning Call: Route 100 detour gets complicated
Morning Call: Recount ordered in Democratic primary for Commonwealth Court
Morning Call: Bill would ban tanning bed use by teens
Morning Call: Former police chief gets jail

South Central
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Letterkenny Army Depot’s jobs outlook stable heading into this year’s Business Opportunity Showcase
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Cleaning up continues in Franklin County after last week’s storms
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle residents question tentative tax increase
PennLive.com: Pa. teen charged in Facebook school board threats
PennLive.com: Central Dauphin School District panel recommends closing 2 elementary schools
PennLive.com: Former York County official admits stealing $347,000
York Daily News: County Dems discuss flier controversy
Lancaster Era: East Donegal discusses alternative energy policy
Lancaster Era: Manheim Township man will lead state Human Relations Commission

NEPA
Times Leader: Local contestant wins national spelling bee
Citizens Voice– State surplus builds to $540 million
Citizens Voice– Former Pa. county official admits stealing $347K
Standard Speaker– Council approves City Hall parking plan
WNEP Channel 16– Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Extended
Pocono Record– Strip club decision bounced back to Middle Smithfield supervisors

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie lawyer Kennedy named chief public defender
Sun-Gazette: Touring Marcellus epicenter
Centre Daily Times: Commissioner slots are set

Opinion
Rep. Tim Murphy, Worthington Daily Globe: We can control our energy future
Baer Growls: One Great Idea for A New Presidential Primary System
Scott Paterno, Rock the Capitol: Impact fee violates ATR pledge, but it needs to be passed
Post-Gazette Editorial: Case in point: The latest sign that the court muffed Citizens United
Fox Philadelphia: Should they just call it Tax-Adelphia?
Tribune Review Editorial: A national disgrace: Fix the locks!
Tribune- Review Editorial: The Thursday Wrap
Daily Local Editorial: America’s government poverty programs are not working
Altoona Mirror Editorial: Top court sides with the states
Jerry Geleff, Reading Eagle: Programs, unsustainable
Dan Roberts, Reading Eagle: Concept of Rapture recent, discredited
The Intelligencer: Intelligencer: County stiffs business
Courier Times: Courier Times: Harrisburg Hypocrisy – Healthy Benefits
The Intelligencer: Intelligencer: Regional vs. Local
Citizens Voice Editorial- Talk is good, action is better
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Thin-skinned politicians should recall their role
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Not quite the school tax reform we’re looking for …
York Daily Dispatch: York Daily Dispatch: Best-qualified need not apply?
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon Daily News: Fast and loose
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon Daily News: Those were the days
Gettysburg Sun Gazette: Government reaches too far, and it’s costly
Life news: Romney, Palin lead GOP race, Pawlenty third, Gingrich fades