We can report some bipartisanship in Washington. It’s not the debt ceiling, but, Pennsylvania’s Senators came together to support three judges for the Federal bench in Western Pa. Their nominations were approved by the Judiciary Committee.

Yesterday, Majority Leader Turzai was a witness at a hearing on liquor store privatization. He had to answer some tough questions about his plan.

All politics is local. State Rep. Santarsiero brought a huge issue in Harrisburg back to Bucks County when he hosted a field hearing on the report of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.

This weekend, the Phillies play the Pirates for Keystone State bragging rights. To some, this is bigger than the nation’s debt and bigger than the issues surrounding the Liquor Control Board. Who are you rooting for?

PoliticsPA Reports

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Three Judges For Western Pa. District
The Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved three U.S. district judge nominees from western Pa. These nominees were first nominated last year by the president and were then re-nominated in January. The names are: Robert D. Mariani, nominee for U.S. district judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and Cathy Bissoon and Mark R. Hornack.

Turzai On Liquor Store Privatization: “Is This a Core Government Function? I Don’t Think So”
On Wednesday, Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Turzai testified at a public hearing on his proposed liquor store privatization bill.

Fracking Talk Continues At Rep.Santarsiero’s Policy Hearing
At issue during the hearing, held in Newtown, Bucks County, was the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission report released last week. The hearing hosted a plethora of attendees, including state representatives from Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Lancaster counties and roughly 30 public attendees.

Commentary: Voting My Conscience On An Issue More Important Than The Debt Ceiling And The LCB
PoliticsPA co-owner and longtime public affairs strategist Larry Ceisler — a Western Pennsylvania native living and working in Philadelphia — contemplates the issue that is suddenly defining a busy summer. Who to root for this weekend, the Phillies or the Pirates?

National

The Hill: Toomey: Geithner Should Join GOP Efforts To Prioritize Payments
Morning Call: In Casey’s bill members won’t get paid during default
Times Leader: Barletta backs Boehner debt plan
Early Returns: Mike Kelly: Vote like a champion today
KDKA: Locals Protest Outside Congressman Tim Murphy’s Office
Citizen’s Voice: Investors spooked as debt ceiling deadline nears
Early Returns: Geithner might “prioritize” after all
Inquirer: Congress Members, Residents Nervously Await Debt Deal
Pennsylvania Avenue Morning Call: Local Law Makers To Toe Their Party Line
The Hill: War Of The Words Gets ‘Loony’ Between Chris Matthews, Rep. Kelly
Politico: Republicans’ Medicare Plan Backed By Ad Campaign
Washington Post: Federal Judge In Pittsburgh Dismisses ACORN Lawsuit Over Voter Registration Quota Law
Inquirer: Ex-Rep. Edgar Arrested In D.C. Protest
Politico: Rendell lifts the curtain
Salon: A taxpayer-supported campaign against Big Government
Early Returns: Daily Santorum: More Savagery

Statewide

Early Returns:Corbett: “Still reading” shale report
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: DA again argues for retrial of Orie
AP: DeWeese Lawyers File Motion In Pa. Corruption Case
Capitol Ideas: Western Pa. lawmaker may have used money tax money to attend conservative conferences
WITF: What’s next for an impact fee?
WITF: GOP not sold on liquor privatization
PA Independent: PennDOT secretary- tolling state roads a long-term option
PA Independent: Department of Conservation and Natural Resources fill budget gap with gas drilling funds
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Voter canvassing ruling leaves door open for another court battle
Patriot-News: EPA Proposes To Limit Emissions From Gas Drilling

Philly

City Paper: Right Makes Might
PhillyNow: What We Learned About Public Corruption: It’s Up To Us To Fight It
PhillyClout: Not Seen Everyday: Councilman Green Defending Mayor
Heard In The Hall: Tuesday With Karen Brown
Inquirer: Local Congress members, residents nervously await debt deal

Pittsburgh

Post-Gazette: Smaller Health Insurers Join Fray

Southwest

Altoona Mirror: City water authority selling water for gas drilling
Altoona Mirror: Bedford County fair draws first-time participants
Observer-Reporter: Redevelopment Authority hires airport executive
Beaver County Times: Matzie, Gibbons host hearing on budget cuts

Lehigh Valley

Reading Eagle: State senator urges panel to reject water rate hike
Lehigh Valley Live: Pennsylvania Department of Banking cracks down on Blue Mountain Consumer Discount

South Central

Patriot-News: Harrisburg Could Lose $3 Million Of State Funds This Year With Fiscal Plan Rejection
Patriot-News: Harrisburg City Council Cancels Act 47 Re-Vote, Plans To Meet With Harrisburg Authority
Carlisle Sentinel: McDermott To Resign As Cumberland County Democratic Committee Chair

NEPA

Times Leader: Number of candidates is on the increase
Times Leader: County presses the city for help
Citizen’s Voice: State, federal aid unlikely for flood-affected residents
Citizen’s Voice: Home-rule charter eliminates row offices but not deputy positions
Citizen’s Voice: Three more candidates join county council race
Citizen’s Voice: Pashinski introduces Marcellus Shale severance tax bill
Go Lackawanna: Commissioners’ Live Nation passes questioned

North By Northwest

Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Authority plans $9 million upgrade
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Hunting permits to be issued at Municipal Water Authority office
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Top-level changes for 2 public services
Centre Daily Times: Tait Farm owner urges Senators to support organic farms

Opinions

Post-Gazette Column: Natives find way home by shale drilling
Patriot-News Editorial: Caylee’s Law: State Should Focus On Preventing Abuse, Not Push For A Law We Already Have
Baer Growls: Oh That Public Pay
York Daily Record: Editorial: Statesmen like Platts needed in debt ceiling debate
Williamsport Sun-Gazette Editorial: School Districts Gird For Harsh Reality