Following their second presidential debate on Tuesday, both Barack Obama and John McCain have started to become more and more personal when referencing each others campaign. Both sides have begun putting out more and more negative advertisements around the state and have been questioning each others qualifications at rallies throughout the past week. For more information on the continuing presidential race, as well as news from around the state, please see the articles below.

Governor Rendell Signs 31 Bills - Wall Street Journal

Legislation requires contractors to register with state - Lawrence Walsh, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With Obama ahead in polls, McCain’s ads increasingly negative - Mark Silva, Allentown Morning Call

Rivals go head-to-head in state - David Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Palin Gets Rock Star Treatment in Bethlehem - William Ford, Allentown Morning Call

Obama’s going to be all over Philly tomorrow - Catherine Lucey, Philadelphia Daily News

Smerconish grills Obama: Ayres, guns, Mumia, Phils - Pete Mucha, Philadelphia Inquirer

Democratic strategists see landslide in the making - David Paul Kuhn, Politico

Last night marked the second presidential debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. During a town-hall style format both candidates took audience questions and answered inquiries on what they would do in the areas of health care, education, Iraq, Afghanistan, and much more. For more information on last night’s debate, as well as news coming from around the state, please see the articles below.

Idea of state tax increase way too early, Rendell says - Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cost fears weigh on Rendell’s health plan – David Wenner, The Patriot News

State might need tax increase – Charles Thompson, The Patriot News

2 Bonusgate Defendants May Testify For State – John Micek, Allentown Morning Call

As Pa. deadline passes, Democratic registration at all-time high – Bob Warner, Philadelphia Daily News

Fire and Ice – John McCormick, Allentown Morning Call

If you were expecting fireworks … – Jonathan Storm, Philadelphia Inquirer

Some highlights from Nashville debate – Will Bunch, Philadelphia Daily News

Obama, McCain clash on economy - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

‘The biggest blue state in play’ – Josh Drobnyk, Allentown Morning Call

The PA House and Senate will return to Harrisburg today to finalize any last minute business. These 3 days in Harrisburg will mark the end of the legislative session, as after Wednesday both chambers will break for the November elections. For more information on state news, as well as on the Presidential race, please see the articles below.

Major issues unresolved in Pa. Senate’s last three days - Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On major state legislation, it’s decision time – Robert Swift, Republican Herald

Will Senate heel or roll over on kennel inspections bill? - Tim Darragh, Allentown Morning Call

Republicans worry that Pa. could be slipping away from McCain – Dan Hirschhorn, PolitickerPA

Hearing set for tomorrow for 10 charged in Bonusgate - Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The candidates’ gloves are starting to come off – Charles Babington, AP

Candidates face final, hardest hurdles - Josh Drobnyk, Allentown Morning Call

Can They Catch Up? - William Kristol, The Weekly Standard

Franklin & Marshall poll: Economy is top issue – David Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Last night marked the one and only Vice Presidential Debate between Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden. For more information on the debate, as well as other state news see the articles below.

Peco meets with Rendell to talk rate hikes - Joseph N. DiStefano, Philadelphia Daily News

Rendell not ready to tap emergency fund – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Pa. official reviewing absentee voting by troops in Iraq – Associated Press

No ‘Gotchas’ - James Oliphant, Allentown Morning Call

Both candidates faced, and cleared, some hurdles - Thomas Fitzgerald, Philadelphia Inquirer

Biden and Palin spar in cordial vice-presidential debate - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. registers record 8.5 million voters - Karamagi Rujumba, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With very little news coming from the PA General Assembly, much attention is still being paid to the economic crisis throughout Wall Street and the efforts of legislators in Washington to revise the bailout proposal that was defeated in the House of Representatives on Monday. For more information on the continuing efforts of legislative leaders to fund a new proposal, as well as information on other national and state news, please see the articles below.

Congress weighs next move - Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

White House, lawmakers plan new bailout deal – Jim Kunhenn, AP

Pennsylvania delegation splits on financial bailout vote – Associated Press

Bar set high for both VP rivals - Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In the V.P.debate, the pressure’s on Biden – John Baer, Philadelphia Daily News

Palin says she represents ‘Joe Six-pack’ - AP

Campaigns make registration push in Pennsylvania 48% - Josh Drobnyk, Allentown Morning Call

Judge in Fumo case recuses himself – Michael Hinkelman, Philadelphia Daily News

Turnpike bidders say ‘hasta la vista’ - Mark Scolforo, Allentown Morning Call

It should be a relatively quiet week throughout Pennsylvania, as the General Assembly does not return until Monday, October 6th. However, with the first Presidential debate behind us, there is sure to be news coming from the Presidential candidates. For more information please see the articles below.

Rendell names an adviser as health secretary – Philadelphia Inquirer

Bonusgate’ politics will have long shelf life – Allentown Morning Call

Obama, McCain square off as bailout talks drag on - James O’Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Debate’s results debatable - Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Don’t expect civility in the next debate - Stu Bykofsky, Philadelphia Daily News

Biden touts his roots during local campaign stop – Coulter Jones, Scranton Times-Tribune

Region’s financial experts clash on need for bailout – Thomas Olsen, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

State GOP seeks to bring women into McCain camp - Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Presidential Debate between John McCain and Barack Obama is back on after two days of uncertainty. McCain had suspended his presidential campaign on Thursday to focus on the financial crisis in Washington with no guarantees of showing up for tonight’s prime time debate. That all changed this morning as McCain is in route to Oxford, Mississippi to meet Barack Obama at 9pm tonight. For more information on tonight’s debate; as well as some news from around the state, please see the articles below.

Rendell to revive turnpike lease in ‘09 - Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Revenues decline slightly at casinos - Gary Rotstein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Congress restarts troubled bailout talks - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The debate is on; McCain agrees to participate - Nedra Pickler, AP

Debate emerges as key test for Obama, McCain - Jonathan Martin, The Politico

Body language may spell out victor in tonight’s debate - Mike Cronin, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Palin in Philadelphia, getting ready to rumble - Dave Davies, Philadelphia Daily News

More than 100 million voters are expected to sit down in front of their TV’s on Friday as both John McCain and Barack Obama continue to prep for their big debate Friday night. While they continue to extensively prepare, news is coming out of Harrisburg as well. For more information on the presidential race, as well as news from the General Assembly, please see the articles below.

Bonusgate on hold until after election – Robert Swift, Scranton Times Tribune

Rendell spokesman avoids Corbett criticism – Alex Roarty, PolitikerPA

Will a techie debate be any better? - Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Racism Could Hurt Obama in Pennsylvania – Liz Halloran, U.S. News

Biden will visit Wilkes-Barre on Thursday – Michael Sisak, Scranton Times Tribune

Palin skips fundraisers; focuses on debate prep, events with McCain - Jonathan Martin, Politico

Is Obama Another Dukakis? – Christopher Hitchens, Slate.com

CQ Election Map – CQ Politics

This week will see the General Assembly return for another 3 days of work before adjourning until October. Also this week, both Barack Obama and John McCain are preparing for their first formal debate - held on Friday at the University of Mississippi. For more information on the return of the General Assembly; as well as information on the presidential race, please see the articles below.

Divided Pa. Legislature heads into home stretch – Mark Scolforo, Associated Press

Rendell considers increase in gas tax for roads – Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Democrats gain big in sign-ups statewide – Garry Lenton, Patriot News

Politics of religion weighs heavily in race – John Micek, Allentown Morning Call

Political appearances for Obama – Allentown Morning Call

McCain defends; Obama blames deregulation – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

McCain still seeking firm footing on crisis – Ben Smith, The Politico

The battle for votes in Pennsylvania’s Clinton country – Walter Shapiro, Salon.com

McCain would banish political office from White House - Aaron Blake, The Hill.com

The General Assembly left town yesterday after spending the beginning of the week hoping to accomplish some major items on their agenda. While they did not touch major issues such as healthcare, energy, or transportation, they did accomplish to pass some meaningful legislation. For more information on the House and Senate’s week and also on Gov. Rendell’s move to balance the state’s budget, please see the articles below.

PA Governor Rendell Announces Plan to Maintain Balanced Budget despite National Economic Slowdown – Market Watch

GOP lawmakers seek spending cuts – Charles Thompson, Patriot News

Senate proposes constitutional convention – Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Time running out for lawmakers to address tax reform - The Pottstown Mercury

PA Republicans oppose taxing gas – Tom Kane, The River Reporter

Dog law overhaul clears House - Tim Darragh, Allentown Morning Call