Author

A 3-decade veteran of the news business, John L. Micek is the Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Editor-in-Chief. An award-winning political reporter, Micek’s career has taken him from small town meetings and Chicago City Hall to Congress and the Pennsylvania Capitol. His weekly column on U.S. politics is syndicated to 800 newspapers nationwide by Cagle Syndicate. He also contributes commentary and analysis to broadcast outlets in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Micek’s first novel, “Ordinary Angels,” was released in 2019 by Sunbury Press.
Pa.’s Fitzpatrick votes with Dems to condemn Trump’s tweets on Ocasio-Cortez, minority women in Congress
By: Robin Bravender Capital-Star Washington Bureau and John L. Micek - July 16, 2019
The resolution passed the chamber by a vote of 240-187, with three other Republicans and one independent joining Fitzpatrick their Democratic colleagues in publicly condemning Trump after he suggested that four Democratic congresswomen “go back” to the “places from which they came.”
With their silence on ‘The Squad,’ Republicans are complicit in Trump’s racism | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - July 16, 2019
One of America’s greatest Republican presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, famously argued that it’s “not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public” to say that the president cannot be criticized. Republicans failed that basic test.
Pa. ranked No. 2 nationwide in student debt, new report finds | Tuesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 16, 2019
We Are! Drowning in debt.
Who you calling ‘socialist?’ Poll reveals sharp partisan, demographic splits on socialism and capitalism | The Numbers Racket
By: John L. Micek - July 15, 2019
During his State of the Union address back in February, President Donald Trump vowed that “America will never be a socialist country.” And, indeed, there seems precious little danger of that ever happening. But that hasn’t stopped prominent progressive politicians from embracing the “Democratic Socialist” label, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and U.S. Rep. […]
Six states expanded their EITCs in 2019 (No, not that one, Pennsylvania) | Monday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 15, 2019
You keep using that word. We do not think it means what you think it means.
A long day’s journey into an international incident over some leaked cables (A play, in one act)| John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - July 12, 2019
Try to imagine what that phone call home was like.
Pension bill that could help thousands of Acme grocery workers clears U.S. House Committee | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 12, 2019
The rebranded 'Butch Lewis Act' is facing heavy fire from the right.
Report: $15/hr. minimum wage is a ‘pathway, not a cliff’ for benefit recipients | Thursday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 11, 2019
A left-wing think-tank offers its argument for a $15/hr minimum wage.
DePasquale: Scrap Keystone exams for high school kids and replace them with SATs
By: John L. Micek - July 10, 2019
Pennsylvania could join the ranks of 12 other states that have scrapped state-specific exams since the demise of the federal No Child Left Behind law, and instead allow students to take the PSAT or SAT.
How a Census citizenship question could reshape state-level politics | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 10, 2019
In case there was any doubt: A gaffe is when a politician inadvertently tells the truth.
Pa. Supreme Court says it will investigate ‘systemic failures’ in Philly’s cash bail system
By: John L. Micek - July 9, 2019
In an unusual move, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court says it plans to study “alleged systemic failures” in Philadelphia’s cash bail system. In an order issued Monday, the high court says it’s open to suggestions to improving the existing cash bail system, but “any attempt to advocate for the abolition of cash bail,” is not on […]
‘Obnoxious’ Texas case could cost thousands in Pa. their health insurance, Pa. Sen. Casey warns
By: John L. Micek - July 9, 2019
"They never had a back-up plan. They don't seem to give a damn if this coverage is ripped away," the Pennsylvania Democrat said during a conference call with home state reporters Tuesday.