Politics
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Medical debt will no longer appear on credit reports for all Americans
This new rule will erase an estimated $49 billion in unpaid medical bills from the credit reports of roughly 15 million Americans, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The agency estimates that the new federal rule could help boost consumer credit scores by an average of 20 points.
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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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Nippon, US Steel file suit after Biden administration blocks $15 billion deal
The suit, filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, alleges that it was a political decision and violated the companies’ due process.
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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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Court sides with state over Fulton County’s handling of voting machines after 2020 election
The Commonwealth Court said the Department of State does not have to reimburse counties when they decertify machines, a defeat for Fulton County in a dispute that arose after two Republican county commissioners permitted Wake Technology Services Inc. to examine and obtain data from Dominion voting machines in 2021.
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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.
