Bucks maybe be the ultimate swing county in PA, and this year’s Commissioners campaign is a Race to Watch. Check out our interview with Republican candidates Charley Martin and Rob Loughery, and watch PoliticsPA later today for our interview with Democrats Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Det Ansinn, and our overall preview of the election.

PA’s delegation split along party lines on the Cut, Cap and Balance pledge last night. It took about 5 minutes for the spin to start – read the story to see how our Congressmen and women, and the campaign committees are reacting to the vote.

Should Rick Santorum run for Senate? Most PA Republicans seem to think so. A fresh survey from Public Policy Polling shows that more of them would like to see the former Senator run for his old seat than challenge President Obama. Against Casey, he’s the most competitive candidate so far. Michele Bachmann leads the Pres field in PA.

The once and future candidate, Manan Trivedi announced yesterday his intent to challenge Rep. Jim Gerlach once again. PoliticsPA spoke with Trivedi about 2012, redistricting, Medicare and more. Read it here. Republicans were wuick to react to the news – click here to see how Gerlach’s campaign responded, and what the NRCC had to say.

Some PA conservatives are taking aim at lawmaker pensions – especially those paid out to “double-dipping” officials that continue to receive benefits even after being elected to higher elected office.

And the showdown is on. Last night, Harrisburg City Council voted down the Act 47 plan.

PoliticsPA Reports

Meet Charley Martin and Rob Loughery
This week’s “Race to Watch” is Bucks County Commissioners. Meet the men seeking to extend Republicans’ control of the Bucks County courthouse.

Party Line PA Vote on Cut, Cap and Balance
The House of Representatives passed the Cut, Cap and Balance Pledge last night, 234-190. The PA delegation voted entirely on party lines. The story includes all the statements and reactions we could find.

Public Policy Poll: Santorum For Senate In 2012?
According to the latest PPP poll, Pennsylvania Republicans would rather see Rick Santorum run for Senate than President. The most popular choice for President is Michele Bachmann.

Q2 Fundraising Cheat Sheet
PoliticsPA is looking at the 2nd quarter fundraising reports as they come in – bookmark this page the keep up-to-date as new info comes to light.

Trivedi Talks 2012, Redistricting and Medicare
News broke this morning that Manan Trivedi has decided on a rematch against Rep. Jim Gerlach. PoliticsPA caught up with the once and future candidate to talk about the challenges he’ll face in 2012.

Republicans React To Trivedi News (Including a NRCC Statement)
Republicans are taking note of Manan Trivedi’s decision to once again challenge Rep. Jim Gerlach, and the party wasted no time asserting what they see as favorable odds for the Congressman.

Conservatives Take Aim At Lawmaker Pensions
The Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania (CAP) today launched a new initiative to discourage lawmakers from accepting a pension, among other perks of office – and talked about lawmakers who double dip in state and federal pensions.

National
CQ: House GOP Centrists Hushed But Not Silent in Debt Debate
POLITICO: ExxonMobil Takes Full Responsibility For Spill
POLITICO: Rick Santorum Picks a Fight With Michele Bachmann
Roll Call: Is the House Now in Play for the 2012 Elections?
Washington Post: Lockheed Martin Offers Buyout to 6,500 Employees
WHYY Newsworks: Michael Vick Wants To Outlaw Bringing Kids To Dogfights
The Weekly Standard: Six Democratic Senators Have Publicly Supported Balanced Budget Amendment
Early Returns: Daily Santorum: Bring on Bachmann
Early Returns: Hacking testimony begins
CBS: House votes in favor of GOP plan for raising debt limit

Statewide
Capitol Ideas: New Radio ad hits GOP leader Turzai on proposed state store sale
WITF: Pennsylvania voters induced into Hall of Fame
WITF: Transportation revenue, commissions, and taxing the rich
PA Independent: Mandatory sentences take some blame for massive prison spending increases
State Impact: Helpful Impact fee hints from Norquist’s Group
State Impact: Groups file suit against Frack water treatment facility
State Impact: Fox and Friends won’t “Occupy Capitol” Tomorrow
State Impact: SRBC suspends water withdrawal in 36 locations
AP: Pa. Drillers Want Federal Judge To Cite Forest Service
PhillyNow: Protestors Oppose Solitary Confinement & Growing Pa. Prison Population
AP: Largest Pa. State Workers Union Ratifies Contract
WHYY Newsworks: Pa.’s Wind Turbines Killed 10,000 Bats Last Year
Inquirer: Due To State Budget Cuts, Program For Pregnant Students Has Unclear Future
State House Sound Bites: Transportation revenue, commissions, and taxing the rich
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Corbett about to get third commission going to study state issue
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Corbett panel to look at selling state assets privatizing services

Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Housing Authority Nearer To Settling Another Sexual Harassment Complaint
PhillyNow: Despite What You Heard, Walking And Texting Is Not A Crime
WHYY Newsworks: Some Philly Messages Fall Short Of City’s Accomplishments
Philadelphia Inquirer: Reading physician, an Iraq vet, to challenge Gerlach

Philly Suburbs
Intelligencer: Bucks County breaks ground on largest public works project in its history
Bucks Local News: Mike Fitzpatrick Discusses Federal Spending, the Constitution at ‘Congressman in Your Neighborhood’ Event
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Extends Senior Center Hours At Five County Facilities
Bucks Local News: BULB Act Fails To Pass Through US House, Congressman Fitzpatrick Votes in Favor of Bill
Bucks Local News: Governor Signs Firefighter Cancer Bill, Det. Christopher Jones Memorial Highway Bills Into Law
Delco Times: Penn State Raises Tuition After State Budget Cuts
Delco Times: County Announces New Treatment Court for Vets
Philly Burbs: Harrisburg Council Rejects State Finance Fix
Philly Burbs: Largest Pa. State Worker Union Ratifies Contract

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: PPP: Bachmann over Romney in PA
Early Returns: Casey, Toomey noncommittal on gang of six budget
KDKA: Financial Analysts Worry about Impact of Potential Government Default
KDKA: Environmental Group Files Federal Lawsuit Over Drilling Wastewater
Pittsburgh Tribune Review: GOP to boost House lead, national campaign chief predicts
Care: Top Coal Supporters in Congress
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Council to repeal ban on leafleting
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Mayor hopes for $3 million savings from debt refinancing
Pittsburgh Tribune Review:GOP senators hope to regulate UPMC-Highmark divorce
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: In H-burg transparency becomes reality

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Bethlehem council OKs historic preservation plan
Morning Call: Soldier from lower Bucks County killed in Afghanistan

South Central
Patriot News: Harrisburg City Council votes down Act 47 state recovery plan
Public Opinion: U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster sees obstacle to debt solution in White House
The Sentinel: Dickinson Township residents circulate petition seeking Allyn Perkins’ resignation
Daily Record: York County Residents who work in Harrisburg could be taxed
Patriot News: Harrisburg mayor to do damage control following City Council Act 47 vote
The Times Tribune: Sen. Casey announces development funding
Patriot News: Petition calls for resignation of Dickinson Township supervisor

NEPA
Times Leader: Maguire gets 2 months in prison, 2 years probation
Times Leader: Marino, Barletta discuss debt vote
Times Leader: Casey pushes DEA for ban on bath salts
Times Leader: Flood libel suit still on schedule
Times Leader: Report: State’s middle class under siege
Times Leader: GOP will honor the late Jonathan Balester
Wayne Independent: Rex Energy settles Pa. Marcellus case for $14M
Standard Speaker: Transit panel: Raise fees
Standard Speaker: Democrats critical of Barletta using public money on mailers
Standard Speaker: Home-rule subcommittee to help with budget
Daily Review: County offices complete move
Daily Review: Residents encouraged to check Treasury Dept.’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Federal grants to help Erie County schools build health centers
Erie Times-News: Crawford DA elected president of state association
AP via Centre Daily Times: Pa. drillers want fed judge to cite Forest Service
Sun Gazette: Commissioner talks trash, shale

Opinions
Baer Growls: That Damn Debt Duel!
Thomas Fitzgerald, Inquirer: On GOP Campaign Trail, The Politics Of The Pledge
Chris Freind, PA Water Cooler: Debt Ceiling? Who Cares? Ballgame’s over.
Inquirer Editorial: Impact fees a good start
Pat Meehan, Penn Patriot: The time for a balanced budget amendment is now
Daily News: Shale Commission… or Shill Commission
David L. Crawford, Inquirer, Editorial: The budget deficit: Why it doesn’t matter
Inquirer, Editorial: The case for Corbett’s stand
Morning Call: Arnold Mann: Fracking moratorium protects environment
Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Editorial: Bankrupt America
Pittsburgh Tribune Live, Editorial: The 9th Circuit: Left, left, left