Congress may find itself in a stalemate in the Capitol this week, but they sure were moving out on the mall. Check out this week’s Ups & Downs, celebrating the athletic prowess of our delegation.

Governor Corbett apparently didn’t see a popularity boost from turning in his first budget on time, according to a new survey from Public Policy Polling. His approval is negative, 35 to 46 percent.

The Dem candidates for Attorney General are joining forces. Kathleen Kane, Dan McCaffery and Pat Murphy are taking a break from their campaigns to co-host an event for Commonwealth Court candidate Kathy Boockvar in Philly next month.

And if you thought the Kelly v. Shaprton thing was over, have we got news for you. Kelly announced yesterday that he had actually begun selling his energy industry assets before Shaprton’s segment. The DCCC wasn’t satisfied, however, and demanded to know exactly when the assets were sold – whether it happened before possible conflict-of-interest votes or after.

PoliticsPA Reports

PoliticsPA’s 7/15 Ups and Downs
Some athletic Ups this week, as Congress took the mound.

Updated: Rep. Kelly Sold Off Assets Before Sharpton Segment
After a week of back-and-forth over Rep. Mike Kelly’s personal investments in two oil companies, the Congressman’s office today made clear that Kelly had initiated the process to sell the shares before he took office.

Gov. Corbett’s Numbers In Negative Territory
Governor Corbett campaigned on his willingness to make tough choices, and the latest numbers from Public Policy Polling bear out the political risks of those decisions. According to survey results released this afternoon, Corbett has the approval of 35 percent of voters and the disapproval of 46 percent.

Dem AG Candidates Team Up For Boockvar
Three Democrats with their eye on the Attorney General’s office are co-hosting a Philly fundraiser for Kathy Boockvar, candidate for Commonwealth Court.

National
Post-Gazette: Western Pa. Congressional Delegation Frustrated Over Lack Of Clout On Debt Negotiations
AP: President Obama Approves Pa. Disaster Declaration Over April Storms In Lycoming And Four Other Counties
McClatchy Newspapers: Rep. Thompson Bill Aims To Fix School Funding Inequity
Observer-Reporter via AP:Corbett’s Drilling Panel to Meet For Final Time
Politico: Reid calls tea party argument ‘a bunch of garbage’ – Jamie
Politico: McCaskill: McConnell ‘lost his mind’ – Jamie

Statewide
Patriot-News Commentary: Secrecy Cloaks Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission’s Policy Proposals
Post-Gazette: Turzai’s Plan Would Double Number Of Liquor Outlets
Patriot-News Analysis: Will Pa. Agree To Sell Liquor Stores?
Patriot-News: Central Pa. Residents Have Mixed Opinions About Privtization Of Liquor Sales
AP: Pa. Sec. Of Ed. Orders Probes, New Analysis Of PSSA Scores
Philadelphia Inquirer: Gov.’s gas drilling advisors keeping recommendations secret
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. nuclear plants await NRC recommendations
Capitol Ideas: Shale Commission To Vote Publicly Friday, But Its Recommendations Will (Mostly) Be A Secret
Capitol Ideas: Thursday Morning Coffee: Booze and More Booze
PA Independent: Universities Raise Tuition Following Deep Budget Cuts
State Impact: Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission’s Agenda Posted
State Impact:Terry the Frackosaurus Is Now Extinct
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Drink Tax opponents question Onorato plan to spend revenue
Pittsburgh Tribune Review:Voters’ voice in Pennsylvania school budgets muffled

Philly
Fox Philadelphia: Pa. Mayor Faces Child Porn Charges
Fox Philadelphia: Data Show Pay For Vallas, Ackerman
CBS Philadelphia: CBS 3 Anchor Chris May Interviews President Obama

Philly Suburbs
Philly Burbs: Council approves soccer club’s use of playing field
The Daily Times: Eliminating LCB revisited in bill
The Daily Times: Pileggi talks to seniors at Maris Grove
Montgomery Media: Perkasie Borough Council to continue discussing trolley tunnel improvements
Montgomery Media: Township, residents discuss potential Cook Tract project
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough Council to discuss present and future of the town’s
business district

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: IUP To Cut 52 Postitons
Post-Gazette: Three Vying For Scott Commissioner Seat

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: District Layoffs: Corbett
Daily American: Newest Somerset County Business Park Receives Funding Boost
Indiana Gazette: Panel Reviews Law Governing Drilling
Indiana Gazette: Turzai Outlines Liquor Store Bill
McKeesport Daily News: McKeesport, HUD Report Progress in Compliance Accord
Observer-Reporter: Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Mascara
Tribune-Democrat: House GOP Leader Outlines Liquor Store Bill
Tribune-Democrat: Rental Statute Advances

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Coaldale Mayor Surrenders on Child Porn Charges
Reading Eagle: City Latino Leader attends White House Conference
WFMZ: Lawmakers introduce Bill to Privatize Liquor Stores in PA
WFMZ: Latest Debt Talks End With No Deal; Obama Wants Progress Report
Morning Call: Analysis: Privitazation’s potent cocktail
Lehigh Valley Independent: A Liquor License Shouldn’t Be an Asset

South Central
Centre Daily Times: Penn State Trustees To Set Tuition Rates On Friday
Patriot-News: Three Mile Island Warning Siren Malfunctions In Hummelstown

NEPA
Times Leader: W-B denies driver’s claims
Citizens Voice: Tunkhannock OKs teachers contract with pay freeze
Citizens Voice: Pa. liquor bill favors big retailers, grocery stores
Wayne Independent: North Honesdale residents irate over “favoritism” in zoning enforcement
Standard Speaker: Officials look to decipher report
The Daily Review: Agricultural educators tour Bradford County
The Daily Review: Sen. Yaw in favor of pilot program for school vouchers
Pocono Record: Pocono Mountain School District names new superintendent
AP: Pa. Mayor Faces 28 Counts Of Child Porn Possession

North by Northwest
AP via Centre Daily: Obama Obama approves Pa. disaster aid over April storms in Lycoming and four other counties
Centre Daily: Rep. Glenn Thompson eases into new role in House majority
AP via Daily Item: EPA questions need for natural gas line through Pennsylvania forest

Opinions
Phillynow.com: DAILY GRINDER: What Will We Do Without the Johnstown Flood Tax?
Philadelphia Daily News: IOM editorial: Rigging democracy with tax referenda
Phillynow.com: USA Today Would Like You to Know that Rick Santorum Sucks Before You Read Rick Santorum’s Op/Ed
Phillynow.com: Could Our Long, Statewide (Ethanol) Nightmare Soon Be Over?
Altoona Mirror, Editorial: Consider careful withdraw
Pittsburg Tribune-Review, Editorial: Holder’s lies