State Politics
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Dozens of cities, states hiking minimum wages in 2026 amid federal inaction (but not in Pa.)
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is at $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2008.
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PA uninsured children hit 153,000 as federal funding cuts loom
A new report shows Pennsylvania is seeing its highest number of uninsured children in a decade.
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Pennsylvania’s home repair program left out of state budget, despite high demand
A multi-million dollar proposal designed to rehabilitate Pennsylvania’s aging housing stock failed to receive funding in the state’s 2025-2026 budget — marking the third year without a state-funded successor to the popular Whole Home Repair Program.
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Should ICE agents be allowed to mask? Not in Pa., state senators say
Pennsylvania Sens. Amanda Cappelletti and Nikil Saval, both Democrats, have introduced a bill that would prohibit ICE officials from masking while on the job in the commonwealth, saying the practice damages trust in law enforcement and enables police impersonation.
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OPINION: Pennsylvania students deserve better than a delayed state budget
In Pennsylvania, districts burdened by adequacy funding gaps, poverty isn’t an abstract concept—it’s the daily reality for 70% of enrolled students. In July 2024, the Pennsylvania General Assembly delivered a landmark, bipartisan solution by codifying a new methodology for calculating the state’s obligation to underfunded districts and integrating it into the 2024-25 state budget. In…
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9 Pa. food banks where you can donate your time, money, & food this holiday season
Here’s how to support the food banks and food pantries fighting hunger across Pennsylvania.
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Preschools, daycares feel ‘double whammy’ impact of budget issues. How they managed
They took out loans just to keep classrooms running. Now, as Pennsylvania’s budget impasse ends, early childhood centers are bracing to repay the debt – with interest. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Nov. 12 approved a state budget deal by a 156-47 vote that boosts early childhood education funding; Gov. Josh Shapiro later signed it into law. The…
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How Pennsylvania’s first trans mayor-elect used a ‘good neighbor’ campaign to win
This story by Spencer Macnaughton, Sam Donndelinger, and Taya Strauss was originally published by Uncloseted Media, an LGBTQ-focused investigative news outlet. On Nov. 4, Erica Deuso made history when she became the first openly transgender mayor-elect of Pennsylvania, a milestone for inclusive political campaigns. Deuso won nearly 65% of the vote and was part of…
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Movement on the state budget in the Pa. Senate – more than 130 days after the deadline
Lawmakers made a series of moves to advance a reported $50.1 billion spending, but few details have emerged.
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History reveals Joe Khan, Bucks County’s DA-in-waiting, is a political anomaly
Khan earned approximately 54% of the vote over incumbent Republican DA Jennifer Schorn with all precincts reporting, according to the county’s unofficial election results. He ran unopposed in the May 20 primary.
