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Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau
Roberts joins Supreme Court’s four liberal judges in striking down Louisiana abortion law
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - June 29, 2020
Enacted in 2014 by the Louisiana state Legislature, the law would have required physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital.
Pa.’s Fitzpatrick votes with U.S. House Dems to pass police reform package
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau and John L. Micek - June 26, 2020
House passage comes a day after Senate Democrats blocked a bill authored by Sen. Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate GOP conference.
‘I know my path:’ With Supreme Court’s DACA decision, central Pa. teen future looks to a bright and safe future
By: John L. Micek and Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - June 18, 2020
In a 5-4 decision, Chief Justice Roberts sided with the court’s liberal wing in finding that the Trump administration broke the law in 2017 when it rescinded the program
U.S. House Dems call for more federal aid to schools
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - June 16, 2020
The aid is especially needed to support low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups, lawmakers said.
Pa. advocates hail SCOTUS ruling protecting LGBTQ workers from job discrimination
By: Elizabeth Hardison and Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - June 15, 2020
WASHINGTON — In a landmark victory for LGBTQ rights, the U.S. Supreme Court held Monday that employers can’t legally fire people because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. In a 6-3 opinion, the court ruled that employers who fire individuals “merely for being gay or transgender” violate Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, […]
W. Pa. grocery chain Giant Eagle says it won’t sell Post-Gazette
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - June 11, 2020
Western Pennsylvania’s largest supermarket chain says it will no longer advertise or sell copies of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in its stores, as part of a new initiative to “stand up against racism and social justice.”
Could a new federal agency revive the Great Lakes region?
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - May 31, 2020
A veteran Democratic lawmaker is devising a plan for a massive influx of federal aid to boost the region, which has suffered losses over the last decade.
Pa.’s Casey, Toomey split as U.S. Senate spars over state bailouts
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - April 30, 2020
The two United States senators are divided over a hotly contested issue on Capitol Hill: whether to provide more federal aid for ailing cities and states.
Lawmakers advance small business relief bill without extra cash for states
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - April 22, 2020
The U.S. House is expected to reconvene on Thursday to vote on the measure — although it’s unclear how many lawmakers will return to Washington — and President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday that he will sign it.
Pandemic highlights gaps in internet access, as Congress looks for solutions
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - April 13, 2020
Pennsylvania fell just outside the top 10 states, when it comes to internet coverage, speed and price, according to a report by BroadbandNow Research.
Congressional Dems want more federal cash to combat hunger during pandemic
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - April 9, 2020
One in seven Pennsylvanians, or 1.75 million people benefit from SNAP. That's about 14 percent of the state's total population.
Congress preps for next round of coronavirus relief; Democrats signal priorities
By: Allison Stevens Capital-Star Washington Bureau - April 2, 2020
The next bill could include huge infrastructure projects, and U.S. House Democrats are pushing to include some of their top priorities.