Toomey launches his first offensive, could the Cruz-Fiorina ticket stop Trump and McGinty pivots to the general election. Plus, last week’s Ups & Downs! Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

4/29 Ups & Downs: The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Check out who made our post-election list!

PA-Sen: Toomey Takes the Offensive Against McGinty in New TV Ad (VIDEO): Senator Toomey begins the general election with an attack on his Democratic opponent.

PA-Sen: AFSCME Hammers Toomey in New TV Ad (VIDEO): The labor union’s PAC is launching a new commercial against PA’s junior Senator.

Politically Uncorrected: Cruz-Fiorina: A Good Idea, Bad Timing: Has Cruz actually pulled a political rabbit out of his hat, finally finding a way to stop Trump, and buy himself a ticket to Cleveland and a contested convention? Is a Cruz-Fiorina ticket the magic bullet anguished Republican leaders have been searching for to stop Trump?

Guest Column: McGinty Pivots to Toomey: Senate Democratic nominee Katie McGinty lays out her case against Sen. Pat Toomey.

Sunday Show Preview: May 1, 2016: We take a look at the Sunday morning political talk shows that will air throughout the state.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Right-wing group chalks up more election wins
Capitolwire: Revenue department refutes corporate tax under-collections
Capitolwire: Enrollment verification disparities highlighted on audit as “federal program yuck”

Philadelphia
Inquirer: John H. Estey (former top aide to Gov. Ed Rendell) to admit wire fraud
Inquirer: Kane won’t fight ruling in case against Penn State leaders
Inquirer: After big wins in Pa, an ‘energized’ Trump electorate looks ever stronger to GOP
WHYY Newsworks: Councilwoman Cindy Bass says Philly subcontractors should not have to wait for pay
WHYY Newsworks: Auditor General Depasquale warns of costs of Pennsylvania budget stalemate
KYW: Human Services Council requests more funding; City Council budget hearings continue
KYW: TV Attack Ads Start Fast in PA Senate Race
Philadelphia Business Journal: Sen. Casey, Mayor Kenney mark milestone for Delaware Deepening project

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: PA GOP delegates voice strong support for Trump
Delco Daily Times: Gov. Tom Wolf visits Coatesville to discuss opioid problem
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro wins Democratic primary for Attorney General
Bucks Local News: Democrat Steve Santarsiero, Republican Brian Fitzpatrick win big in 8th congressional district race
Daily Local News: Trump’s tweet about Downington causes controversy
Daily Local News: Trump gets help for GOP battle

Pittsburgh
WTAE: Pipelines drained, evacuation order lifted as feds investigate cause of Salem Township explosion
WESA: Auditor General Warns Budget Stalemate Could Further Downgrade PA Credit
Business Times: Pennsylvania sees no change in rig count but West Virginia dips
Business Times: Interim leader picked for Pittsburgh oversight board
Tribune Review: Canonsburg man works to get on U.S. Senate ballot as Independent
Tribune Review: Pine-Richland ready to tackle transgender policy
Tribune Review: Port Authority: No more free buses, zones, cash on trains
Tribune Review:  Democratic senators propose reforms for Pittsburgh’s Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority
Post-Gazette: Gas well venting causes big alarm in East Franklin

Southwest
Tribune-Democrat: Hear this: Ebensburg looking for means to enforce noise ordinance
Tribune-Democrat: Westmont Hilltop school board votes to replace Irwin as superintendent; will stay on as business manager
Altoona Mirror: Portage awards municipal complex bid
Beaver Times: Board President: Moon Area’s depleted fund balance “the height of fiscal irresponsibility
Beaver Times: CCBC Foundation appoints three new directors
Observer Reporter: Tests confirm asbestos at WVU Coliseum

NEPA
Times Leader: Luzerne County Councilman questions use of sheriff’s deputies at Trump rally
Times Leader: PA Department of Human Services awards landmark Medicaid Agreements
Times Leader: Lackawanna County enters agreement to purchase The Globe building for consolidation of government offices
Citizens Voice: Trump’s big primary win could have put Pennsylvania in play
Pocono Record: Social work students attend advocacy day in Harrisburg
Pocono Record: DEP expands air quality monitoring near shale gas sites
Times-Tribune: Scranton discusses future of high-cost garbage fee

South Central
Patriot News: House returns to session on Monday to get ball rolling on budget and more
Patriot News: University President defends Trump rally, says ‘students need to be challenged in their beliefs’
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. GOP delegates voice strong support for Trump
York Dispatch: Pa., York would have rejected retirement referendum
York Dispatch: Regan wins big in northern York County Senate race
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Lancaster General Health wants to build a 126-bed mental health facility
Roxbury News: Status Report of the Coordinator For the City of Harrisburg

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Reading mayor announces choice for city managing director
Reading Eagle: Berks economic groups to ‘speak with one voice’
Reading Eagle: Next step for Wyomissing, Spring fire services under consideration
WFMZ: Sen. Pat Toomey speaks on hospital legislation
WFMZ: Affordable Care Act Premiums could be on the rise

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Pipelines drained; fed investigating cause of explosion
Erie Times-News: How Erie’s representatives voted in Congress April 25-29
Erie Times-News: Chairman expels Erie County Democratic Party Executive Board member

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Fueled by foundations: Capital created here seeded the region’s rebirth
Post-Gazette: Men’s restroom or women’s: Nature is never so simple; in fact, we all fit somewhere on the gender continuum
Times Leader: Combine police departments throughout Luzerne County to improve public safety
Tribune-Democrat: Every day above Earth is a celebration
Inquirer: How to fix the primaries
Inquirer: The Pulse: The end of the GOP affair
Patriot-News: Pennsylvania must help victims, public obtain closure

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: Governor Wolf’s Natural Gas Tax Proposal
Commonwealth Foundation: The Costs of Corporate Welfare
Citified: Norcrossing the Delaware: How South Jersey’s Political Boss Is Making His Move on Philly
Citified: Voter Turnout Wasn’t That Bad in the 2016 Primary
Citified: What’s Next for John Fetterman?
Citified: Bernie Sanders Is Wrong About the Soda Tax
Keystone Crossroads: Depasquale warns of costs of Pa. budget stalemate
2 Political Junkies: Last Night At The Washington Correspondents’ Dinner – President Obama and Larry Wilmore