State Law
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Pa. lawmakers eye stricter PFA penalties, raising gun rights concerns
Proposed legislation to increase penalties in Pennsylvania for people who commit crimes while violating protection from abuse orders is opposed by gun rights advocates since it could create lifelong firearms bans.
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Metzgar legislation to stop Turnpike Commission use of eminent domain
State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset) has announced his intention to introduce legislation that would eliminate the ability of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to exercise the power of eminent domain.
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Bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers looks to incentivize ‘pro-housing’ communities
A key area of reform would be pushing local governments to adopt “pro-housing” stances.
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Judge calls Justice Department’s statements on Philadelphia slavery exhibit display ‘dangerous’ and ‘horrifying’
“You can’t erase history once you’ve learned it. It doesn’t work that way,”
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New Pa. law will direct heirless estates to aid local nonprofits
Effective on Jan. 23, 2026, Act 50 of 2025 updates Pennsylvania’s Intestate Succession law, so that when someone dies and no heirs can be found, their estate will be placed into an endowed community fund managed by the community foundation in their home county.
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Pennsylvania’s judges got pay raises. How much they’ll make in 2026.
A 3.3% pay increase that affects scores of state officials also includes Pennsylvania judges at all levels, from magisterial district judges who handle minor offenses, including traffic citations, to the state’s court of last resorts.
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York Mayor Walker says city will not sign ICE cooperation agreement
The city issued the “clarification” because neighboring West York Borough in August 2025 signed a 287(g) agreement, which allows state and local departments to enforce limited immigration authority while conducting routine duties.
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Pa. Supreme Court upholds Philadelphia judge suspension over partisan Facebook posts
In the decision, the justices adopted a new standard for determining limits on speech by sitting judges.
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Pa. Senate Democrats back bill requiring employers to provide leave for family care
A committee of state Senate Democrats discussed a proposal to require Pennsylvania employers to provide 24 hours of paid leave for “small necessities” each year. The goal is to ensure employees who take care of family members like children or elderly parents are able to attend medical appointments, school activities, or respond to unexpected emergencies.
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Ex-Humane Society chief pleads guilty in theft case, gets house arrest
Nicole Leone’s theft of more than $32,000 from the Erie Humane Society left the nonprofit organization with an uncertain financial future and questions about whether it could be trusted with donors’ money.
