Author
‘A beacon of hope and fairness:’ Pa. House passes bill to allow striking workers to collect unemployment
House Bill 1481, which advanced out of the 25-member Labor & Industry Committee along party lines last month, amends Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law to allow eligible workers who file a UC claim to collect benefits if they are unemployed due to a labor dispute.
‘Say no more:’ Advocates gather in support of anti-trafficking legislation
House Bill 1241, sponsored by state Rep. Joe Webster (D-Montgomery), would require massage businesses to obtain a state-issued license, granting inspectors and law enforcement access to the facility at any time. It would also require that victims of trafficking are provided services through the Office of Victims’ Services.
Proposed child labor enhancement bill would put migrant workers at risk, experts say
At a House Labor & Industry Committee meeting on Tuesday morning, lawmakers heard critical feedback from experts on House Bill 1714, which was introduced by state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) in September as a way to “strengthen” Pennsylvania’s child labor laws after data from the Shapiro administration indicated a surge in reported child labor law violations.
Newly elected Mont. Co. Commissioner Makhija celebrates series of firsts for role
At 37, Makhija is the youngest person elected to the seat, which oversees 3,000 employees including elections, courts, a district attorney’s office, public health departments, and public infrastructure.
Schmidt: DOS will ‘follow up’ with Northampton County following voting machine issue
Speaking to reporters from the state Capitol on Tuesday night, Secretary of State Al Schmidt, who previously oversaw elections as Philadelphia City Commissioner, said the Commonwealth had conducted a “free, safe and secure election” despite “isolated issues.”
Northampton Co. officials said early morning voting machine issues a ‘clerical error’
At a press conference on Tuesday evening, Northampton County officials said they were made aware of the issue when polls opened at 7 a.m. For more than an hour, while officials worked to address the issue, voters in the affected areas cast their votes via emergency ballots.
Election Day in Pennsylvania starts with delayed polling place openings, malfunctioning voting machines
A spokesperson for the Department of State said they are aware of the issues in Northampton County and are working with local election officials to resolve them.
Casey touts Fend Off Fentanyl Act in visit to Pa. state police headquarters
State Police Col. Christopher Paris said on Monday that, so far this year, a total of 2,521 overdoses were attributed to fentanyl or one of its derivatives. Of that number, 1,766 overdose victims received naloxone, an overdose reversal medicine.
Advocates push states, including Pa. to take up ‘survivor-centered’ trafficking laws
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are not currently considering any similarly comprehensive legislation, but there have been attempts to address education and awareness around sex trafficking and exploitation.
Shapiro signs bill to make Pa. Preferred Organic label permanent
Established in 2019 as part of the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, the PA Preferred Organic Program was part of efforts to help Pennsylvania farmers increase and diversify their income.
Mail-in ballot returns top half a million | 2023 Election Mailbag
The Department of State asked the public to be “patient” while results are being counted by officials on Nov. 7, reminding voters that Pennsylvania’s election law does not allow counties to begin pre-canvassing mail-in and absentee ballots before 7 a.m. on Election Day.
Court blocks Pa.’s entrance into multi-state carbon cap-and-trade program
The Commonwealth Court ruled on Wednesday that Pennsylvania cannot enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state initiative to limit carbon emissions, saying it violates the state Constitution.