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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Shapiro administration announces $45 million for high-speed internet projects at local schools, libraries and community centers
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration approved funding expanding high-speed internet access in dozens of public schools, libraries and community health centers across the commonwealth.
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Education advocates call on Pa lawmakers to close $4 billion funding gap
Education advocates called on Pa lawmakers to close the $4 billion funding gap between poorer and wealthier school districts over the next four years. A 2023 report found that 387 of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts have inadequate funding gaps.
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Pa. House Democrats renew fight for public transportation funding
Public transportation funding continues to remain a top issue during the new legislative session. SEPTA, the country’s sixth largest transit agency, faces an annual $240 million budget shortfall.
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Josh Shapiro praises bipartisan efforts to reelect Pa. House Speaker Joanna McClinton
Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton was reelected as speaker even though the House is tied at 101 members in each caucus. Gov. Josh Shapiro praised House Republicans for allowing the vote to happen.
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New Pa. law protecting pets from domestic abuse starts next week
Act 146 of 2024, which protects pets from domestic abuse situations, will go into effect starting Jan. 17, 2025. The Humane Society states that 71% of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted their pets.
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Pa. House Democrats hopeful for bipartisanship at start of new legislative session
Pa. House Democrats will control the chamber even though one of their members suffered a medical emergency last week. They will lead operations of the House even though it is tied 101 to 101 for the start of the new legislative session.
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Shapiro calls on US Steel to protect Pa. workers after Biden blocks merger with Nippon Steel
President Joe Biden blocked the merger between US Steel and Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns. Gov. Josh Shapiro is calling on US Steel to protect Pennsylvania workers following Biden’s announcement.
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21 states started 2025 by raising their minimum wage. Pennsylvania wasn’t one of them
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. It’s the lowest minimum wage compared to all of the commonwealth’s neighboring states.
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Five issues Pennsylvanians should pay attention to in 2025
From the ongoing fight to fully fund public education to the legalization of adult use cannabis, the Pennsylvania General Assembly will have their work cut out for them in 2025. Democrats will also have to work on protecting three Supreme Court justices who are up for retention election in the new year.
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Incoming Pennsylvania House Democrats want to focus on kitchen table issues in next session
Pennsylvania House Democrats are welcoming five new members to the chamber when the session starts in January. They look forward to making progress with education funding, protecting workers rights and delivering justice for survivors of child abuse.
