An update on the status of the budget, a battle is brewing in PA-8 and Santorum says the Founders might have been right to limit the right to vote. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Corbett Refuses to Sign Budget: The Republican budget plan passed by the State Senate and State House is currently sitting on the Governor’s desk.

Budget Update: GOP Plan Appears to Be on Track: The $29.1 billion budget proposal is set to be taken up by the State Senate and State House today.

PA-8: Strouse Slammed by NRCC; Calls Out Fitzpatrick on ENDA (VIDEO): Strouse is the target of a new robo call from the NRCC while he challenges Fitzpatrick to speak out on ENDA.

Santorum: Founders’ Were “Maybe” Right to Limit Voting: Rick Santorum considered during a TV interview today whether the Founding Fathers’ decision to prohibit specific people from voting had some merit.

Reader Poll: Do You Think Paterno Should Be Condemned for his Conduct Concerning the Sandusky Scandal?: We ask our readers about their opinions of how Joe Paterno handled the Sandusky scandal.

Reader Poll: Most Don’t Believe Budget Will Pass On-Time: Our readers are generally pessimistic that the state government will meet the fiscal deadline.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Pennsylvania police fail to fingerprint thousands of suspected criminals
AP: Highlights of Spending Plan
AP: Budget Debate Underway
PA Independent: As budget deadline nears, Corbett still waiting on pension reform
StateImpactPA: New York’s highest court allows towns to ban fracking
StateImpactPA: Legislators seeking an extra $20 million from forest leasing
The PLS Reporter: $29.1 billion budget set to become law, but governor is withholding signature
The PLS Reporter: Hope springs eternal with new pension reform amendment, but Republicans are still on their own
Capitolwire: New budget bill finds a way to make up for lack of liquor privatization revenue.
Capitolwire: Senate amends Philly cigarette tax into House bill; unclear if part of a larger deal. UPDATED w/ Corbett quote.

Philadelphia
AP: Lancaster company hails contraception decision
Commonwealth Confidential: Budget mischief?
WHYY Newsworks: U.S. Supreme Court favors Pa. company Hobby Lobby on contraceptives case
WHYY Newsworks: The no-new-taxes pledge nears its sell-by date
The Inquirer: As deadline looms, Pa. Senate takes up no-tax budget
The Inquirer: Lawyer says Sandusky hired him for new appeal in Penn State sex case

SEPA
Bucks Local News: Governor Tom Corbett joins educational leaders, students in Bucks County to advocate ‘Ready to Succeed’ scholarship program
Daily Local News: Coatesville school district freezes hiring and some salaries
Delco Daily Times: Pennsylvania police fail to fingerprint thousands of suspected criminals
Delco Daily Times: Supreme Court: Public union can’t make nonmembers pay fees
Pottstown Mercury: Pension bill for elected officials advances
Pottstown Mercury: GOP’s patchwork $29.1B budget speeds toward votes

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pete Wagner ousted as 19th Ward Democratic chair
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh wants to file on Ravenstahl computer under seal
Post-Gazette: Medicare targets Pittsburgh-area hospitals
Tribune-Review: Senate approves budget; no plan to offer gas extraction tax in package
KDKA: Details of UPMC, Highmark Split Made Public
KDKA: Obama Picks Ex-P&G Head to Lead Veterans Affairs

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Moon school board approves budget
Beaver County Times: State officials say assessment, tax claim probes are county issue
Beaver County Times: State scores poorly on AARP’s list for elderly, disabled care
Observer-Reporter: With no health registry, Pa. doesn’t know the impact of fracking on health
Observer-Reporter: State Senate passes death-benefit bill

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County faces choices with Hazelton properties
Times-Tribune: District’s fighting a black eye for Scranton
Standard Speaker: Mayor seeking nonprofit payments in cash, not pierogies
AP: Pennsylvania enacts tougher hit-and-run law

South Central
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Conestoga Wood Specialties wins in Supreme Court religious freedom appeal
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: 5 things to know about the GOP budget proposal
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Women’s advocates say Conestoga Wood ruling gives bosses sway over women’s health care choices
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: K-12 spending to increase in state budget; state universities get flat funding
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Eastern Lancaster County businesses cheer Supreme Court ruling in Conestoga Wood case
Harrisburg Patriot News: How do we spend $29.1 billion, Pennsylvania? Here’s a look
Harrisburg Patriot News: No plans for opening a thrift shop in the Capitol basement, but GOP budget is balanced on some unusual revenue sources
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pa. Senate passes $29.1 billion general fund budget, sending it to the House for consideration
Carlisle Sentinel: Midstate officials, lawyers react to Supreme Court’s contraception ruling
AP: Highlights of Republicans’ 2014-15 Pa. budget plan
AP: Fracking study finds new gas wells leak more
Roxbury News: A Pennsylvania Budget.

Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Lower Nazareth Hobby Lobby shoppers weigh in on Supreme Court’s contraception ruling
Express Times: New child abuse laws threaten Northampton County’s finances
WFMZ: Congressman Dent holds community meeting
Morning Call: Failure to fingerprint suspects widespread in state
Pennsylvania Ave: PA lawmakers react to Hobby Lobby case

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Legislative Tally
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Retiree believes chess can teach politeness to city’s youth
Centre Daily Times: Paterno lawsuit filing: parties agree to keep documents confidential
AP: Lawmakers clock in for late-hour budget scramble

Opinion
Reading Eagle: Ron Southwick: Corbett must close gaps in the budget and in the polls
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: A new religious right
Harrisburg Patriot News: Don’t forget everything Tom Corbett did right on the Sandusky case: Jennifer Storm
Harrisburg Patriot News: Court invents new religious rights for business in Hobby Lobby contraception case: Editorial
Harrisburg Patriot News: In the debate over Philly school funding, Gov. Corbett has to be the adult in the room: As I See It
Harrisburg Patriot News: Americans are polls apart, but here’s why the center can still hold: Michael Smerconish
Bucks County Courier Times: Improve the economy; unleash American enterprise
Pottstown Mercury: Marriage is what has brought us here today
Post-Gazette: The transition: UPMC and Highmark make promises for the future

Blogs
Citizens’ Call: Greenwood Ave. Bridge Opening Signals Optimism After Tough Times for Local Businesses
Keystone Politics: The Single Biggest Problem With the Harrisburg Draft Zoning Plan
Keystone Politics: Loosening Street Food Regulations Helps Poor People
PA Budget and Policy Center: Tell Your Senator: Pass a Real Budget, Not a “Time Bomb”!