Sean Kitchen is the Keystone’s political correspondent, based in Harrisburg. Sean is originally from Philadelphia and spent five years working as a writer and researcher for Pennsylvania Spotlight.
Sean Kitchen
Latest from Sean Kitchen
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Scott Perry wants to abolish Dept. of Education in exchange for California wildfire relief spending
Congressman Scott Perry appeared on a right-wing podcast last week and proposed that Republicans should attach legislation abolishing the Department of Education to relief funding for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Advocates call this a line too far for Perry.
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Amanda Cappelletti named finalist for EMILYs List’s 2025 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award
Pennsylvania State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti is one of six finalists for EMILYs List’s 2025 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award. Cappelletti has advocated for expanding reproductive healthcare after sharing stories about her miscarriages.
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Trump’s Dept. of Education cuts may cause larger PA class sizes and fewer resources for students
Teachers across the commonwealth are warning that President Donald Trump’s mass firings at the Department of Education will lead to larger class sizes and fewer resources for Pennsylvania’s poorest students. Up to $1.6 billion is at risk for the commonwealth.
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Lawmaker proposes a moratorium on new cyber charter schools
State Senator Lindsey Williams is calling on the legislature to place a moratorium on cyber charter schools until 2038. There are 14 cyber charter schools operating in the commonwealth that cost taxpayers and school districts over $1 billion annually.
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Josh Shapiro hits Trump’s tariffs for “jacking up the price of goods and services”
Gov. Josh Shapiro took aim at President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which will cost Pennsylvania businesses up to $5.3 billion. Shapiro warns that dairy farmers and other industries could be affected.
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Pa. schools could lose special education, Pell grant funding if Donald Trump guts the Department of Education, teachers warn
Members from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and state and local officials warned residents that Pennsylvania could lose $1.45 billion in public education funding if President Donald Trump dismantles the US Department of Education.
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Republican Medicaid cuts would hurt 800,000 Pennsylvanians
US House Republicans voted this week to cut Medicaid by $880 billion to pay for President Donald Trump’s tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. These cuts would affect 800,000 Pennsylvanians.
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Pa. Auditor General calls for cyber charter school funding reforms in new report
Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor’s report confirms that cyber charter schools are hoarding taxpayer money and spending it on items such as staff bonuses, gift cards, vehicle payments and more.
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Support for legalizing adult-use cannabis among Pa. voters soars to new highs
Over 68% of Pennsylvania voters support legalizing adult-use cannabis according to a new poll. Its support can be found across all age groups and political affiliations.
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Pa. Women’s Health Caucus push for maternal health care, childcare access as legislature reconvenes
Tuesday marked the beginning of negotiations for the upcoming 2025-26 state budget. The Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus laid out their priorities for the budget, which include funding for Black maternal health, expanding childcare access and expanding access to menstrual products for lower-income residents.
