State Politics
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Environmentalists urge Shapiro, lawmakers not to compromise on climate to end budget impasse
Republican lawmakers have staunchly opposed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as an economic burden.
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PA small businesses face rising health care costs if tax credits expire
Unless Congress acts, enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits will expire at year’s end, leaving small businesses in Pennsylvania and across the country bracing for higher health care costs.
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Pa. is prepared for ‘incredibly important’ municipal elections, Secretary of State Al Schmidt says
Nearly 75% of 1.1 million mail-in ballots have been returned in election for judges, local officials.
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OPINION: Billionaire-backed groups are throwing money at Pennsylvania Supreme Court races. Here’s why that’s a problem
In Pennsylvania, state Supreme Court justices are up for retention vote every 10 years after they are first elected. Instead of pitting candidates against the judges, these retention elections provide a depoliticized way for voters to choose yes or no on whether they want judges to continue serving on the bench for another decade.
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Pennsylvania takes step toward enshrining abortion and reproductive freedom in state constitution
The proposed amendment would protect a person’s right to choose or refuse an abortion, contraception, or fertility care.
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Pa. Treasury reports making $21 million in bridge loans as state budget impasse continues
The office started the $500 million Budget Bridge Loan Program in September to support county governments and Head Start local agencies, which provide education, health and social services to families with children aged 3 to 5.
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State Senate Democrats pitch grant program to offset possible SNAP cuts
The Pennsylvania Food and Hunger Relief Grant Program would divert $50 million from interest earned on the commonwealth’s rainy day fund to food banks and $10 million to Meals on Wheels Pennsylvania, plus $2 million to the state Department of Agriculture.
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Franklin County burning through cash as PA budget impasse lingers on. What to know
People employed by Franklin County need not worry about job security despite Pennsylvania’s 16-week-long budget impasse, but some belt-tightening may be necessary, according to the county’s chief financial officer.
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School weapon alerts bill heads to governor
Senate Bill 246 gives schools 24 hours to notify parents, staff about weapons incidents.
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Plan to help domestic violence victims collect unemployment frozen in the Pa. Senate – again
Unemployment recipients eligible for benefits under the legislation would have to provide a recent protective order or other reasonable evidence.
