Good Monday morning politicos, here’s the Buzz. PA’s swing state status keeps slipping away, lawmakers are back to work in DC and Harrisburg, and the Pope is coming to PA.

6/1 Ups & Downs: It was a slow week, conventionally speaking, with DC and Harrisburg in recess. But some TV ads, a staff shakeup and, as usual, the Orie family, kept things interesting. See who made this week’s list.

Republicans Crow Over Bad May Jobs Numbers: It’s the worst economic news of the year, and it conclusively proves that President Obama’s policies have failed. At least that’s what Republicans were saying Friday, when the government announced that 69,000 jobs, fewer than expected, were created in May. Unemployment ticked up to 8.2 percent.

PA Swing State Status Takes Another Hit: Although a GOP presidential candidate hasn’t won here since George H.W. Bush carried it in 1988, not two years ago did Pa. voters put a Republican governor and senator in office…but that doesn’t seem to matter, as Romney appears to be passing on Pennsylvania.

Dems Criticize Corbett on His 500th Day: Governor Tom Corbett celebrated, “an on-time budget for the first time in nine years” and closing a difficult deficit without raising taxes in 2011. But 500 days into his term, Democrats are slamming him for the budget he proposed this year.

National
Politico: Pennsylvania gets swing state downgrade
Politico: Mitt Romney makes pitch to areas on upswing (including Pa.)
The Morning Call: Friday’s theme: Whose record on job creation is worse?
The Washington Post: In Pennsylvania coal country, voters not thrilled with their choices
AP: ‘Anything goes’ now in campaign financing?
AP: Romney campaign criticizes Obama’s experience
AP: Losing faith in Democrats’ religious outreach
AP: What’s this? Obama longs for GOP rival like McCain
AP: U.S jobless rate challenges presidential candidates
AP: Appeals court declares Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional over federal benefits to gay couples
AP: Obama says economy will come back stronger

Statewide
State Impact: Krancer (once again) tells Washington to “back off”
State Impact: Philadelphians catching a break on natural gas prices
State Impact: Drill bits: cheap Marcellus gas heading to Texas, hurricanes ahead, and a lawsuit challenges fracking ban
Capitolwire: SB100 could be amended Tuesday to incorporate all of Corbett’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative
Capitolwire: May revenue collections not likely to change budget negotiations
South Whitehall Patch: Pa. Party Politics at Play in attack ads

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Pope to visit Philadelphia in 2015
PhillyClout: Lobbying disclosures heavily carbonated
Daily News: Homeowners apply now for homestead exemption
Inquirer: Karen Heller: Taking on domestic violence
Daily News: Council nearing compromise on tax plan and more money for schools?
Inquirer: Mayor of Collingdale honored for 42 years of service
Inquirer: Conservatives counsel back-to-basics campaigning
Philly Now: Homeless Feeding Ban Goes Into Effect Today
Philly Now: After Initial Support, Project HOME Criticizes Homeless Feeding Ban
Philly Now: Philly Reps. Vote Against ‘Gendercide’ Bill
Philly Tribune: SRC, union at odds over budget
Philly Tribune: State Rep. seeks to restore education funds
Fox Philadelphia: Experts: Forgery may send ex-Pa. senator to prison
Fox Philadelphia: News Minute: Here is the latest Pennsylvania news from The Associated Press
Fox Philadelphia: Pope looks forward to families meeting in Philly
ABC Philadelphia: Pope: World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Pope Selects Philadelphia As 1st American City To Host International Conference
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia Officials To Step Up Penalties For Monument And Memorial Vandals
KYW Newsradio: One Supporter Of Controversial Philadelphia Feeding Ban Speaks Out
WHYY Newsworks: Pa.’s Republican leaders talk up the governor, accomplishments
WHYY Newsworks: Philly councilman says there is still a split on AVI
WHYY Newsworks: Pa.’s tax revenue lower than expected in May
AP: Voter group can’t intervene in Pa. voter ID case

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Protesters rally to oppose Obamacare
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. public pension reform may not be enough
Delco Daily Times: Pope sets visit to Philadelphia in 2015 for family conference (With Video)
Delco Daily Times: State Rep. Margo Davidson plans legislation to restore education funding
Delco Daily Times: Battle over privatization of Pa. liquor sales to heat up again
Delco Daily Times:State Rep. Davidson plans amendment
Delco Daily Times: Protesters rally against Philly school budget, cuts, closures
Bucks Local News: THE STRIKE IS ON: Contract talks break down Thursday night; Neshaminy teachers to hit the picket lines June 4

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Rendell takes aim at “wusses” and others in new book
Post-Gazette: Orie-Melvin, with new attorney, requests out-of-county judges
Tribune-Review: Catholic voters key to presidential win
Early Returns: With Orie gone, Senate staff cut too
Early Returns: No telling who funds anti-Corbett ads
KDKA: Rep. Mike Kelly talks politics with Robert Mangino
KDKA: Gov. Tom Corbett defends state budget

Southwest
WTAE: Former Consol execs sued for trading

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council sees refusal to rescue parking authority as prudent, others say it’s folly
Citizens Voice: Obama campaign opens Wilkes-Barre headquarters
Pittson Politics: Only 3 apply for PA open seat, Bratlee a good choice

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Lawmakers to battle Gov. Corbett on cuts to schools, human services
Harrisburg Patriot News: State rejects donation of flagpole for Department of Welfare building

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Teachers union rallies against Corbett cuts
WFMZ: Residents protest “Delaware loophole”
Express Times: Leonard Lance and David Larsen face off for seat in U.S. Congress

North by Northwest
AP: Pa. to remain center of gas drilling, experts say

Opinion
The Times Leader: Health Trust needs a new tack
Inquirer: Stick a dagger in domestic spying
Daily Item: Pennsylvania’s education crisis
Wayne Independent: Labor and Industry is playing politics
The Daily Review: Lawmaker’s bill is not ‘senseless’
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Jack Kelly: Petraeus on ticket interesting possibility
Erie Times Op-ed: Erie region’s workers, employers still needed community college
Courier Express Editorial: State lawmakers kiss up to cronies while deficit looms
Sun Gazette Editorial: Prison cost-cutting initiative intriguing
Harrisburg Patriot News: Health care attack: Bill focused on ‘defunding’ Planned Parenthood will only hurt poor women
Harrisburg Patriot News: Prevailing wage: Since lawmakers won’t scrap archaic mandate, some construction costs are 30 percent higher
Morning Call: Don’t blame workers for Pa. pension crisis
Reading Eagle: Obama is not the ally of teachers that Romney claimed
Express Times: Editorial: Pa. House should seize the day, approve bill for liquor-store privatization
Reading Eagle: John D. Forester Jr: Crisis solved by ignoring reality

Blogs
Speaking Freely: Noxious Creeping Part III: You can record if you think they might admit to thinking about doing something bad in the future
Keystone State Education Coalition: HB 2364, Charter/Cyber School reform bill which addresses funding, transparency and accountability to be introduced on Monday June 4
PA Budget and Policy Center: Memo to Editors & Reporters: With Final Push for State Budget On, Here’s Where We Stand
Lehigh Valley Independent: Representative Democracy does not mean Government by Poll
NEPArtisan: Council Wins SPA Default War, Taxpayers Probably Lose
NEPArtisan: Scranton Must Disband City To Move On
Pennsylvania Progressive: Pennsylvania Politics continues to Override Humane Actions
Pennsylvania Progressive: For Profit Education is Corrupting Pennsylvania
Keystone Progress: National Organization for Women & Elected Officials Criticize AG Candidate Dave Freed for Demeaning Remark
Keystone Progress: Longtime White Supremacist to Serve on Luzerne County GOP Committee
Keystone Progress: Stop Corbett’s attack on Our Schools and Collective Bargaining
Keystone Politics: Help Distressed Cities With Municipal Mergers
Keystone Politics: We Need More Stimulus from Congress and the Fed, Right Now
Citizens Call: PennDOT Takes Questions and Comments on Greenwood Avenue Bridge Project; Bridge Closes Down for Construction June 25th