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.
A Bucks County Dem makes the case against Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. Is she right? | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 26, 2019
He's been voting the district like crazy. Will it be enough?
Pa. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick votes with House Dems to protect union pensions
By: John L. Micek - July 25, 2019
Like much of the legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled U.S. House, the bill faces an uphill battle in the GOP-led U.S. Senate.
Dead Law Walking?| Sister Helen Prejean sounds off on capital punishment in Pa. | Thursday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 25, 2019
The poorest, the most marginalized, and the most vulnerable are too often sentenced to death,' the nun and activist says.
As Mueller appears before Congress, Pa. Rep. Dean says ‘I will not shrink back’ from holding Trump accountable
By: Robin Bravender Capital-Star Washington Bureau and John L. Micek - July 24, 2019
WASHINGTON — Former special counsel Robert Mueller told lawmakers Wednesday that his investigation did not “completely and totally exonerate” President Trump of obstructing justice, contrary to what the president has claimed. In the first of two back-to-back appearances before U.S. House committees, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, kicked off questioning […]
Pa. ranks 45th in the nation in per-capita public health spending, report | Wednesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 24, 2019
Try as it might, Pennsylvania still can't seem to get out of its own way.
DePasquale: Pa. faces ‘crisis’ shortage in nursing home staffing
By: John L. Micek - July 23, 2019
"There's always more work to be done," Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said Tuesday.
Seattle has a $15 minimum wage. No, the world didn’t end | Tuesday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 23, 2019
Here we are now -- entertain us.
State programs offer a ‘lifeline’ to those who need it most, HHS boss Miller says. In Trump’s America, that’s critical | John L. Micek
By: John L. Micek - July 22, 2019
Not everyone is benefiting from Donald Trump's economy. The question is whether progressives will be able to effectively communicate that to voters in 2020. There's still time - but the message needs to get louder, fast.
‘We should not allow history to repeat:’ How Pa.’s faithful are speaking up on the border crisis | Monday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 22, 2019
'They are knocking at our door,' one Catholic pastor says. 'Their knocks have gone unanswered.'
Beyond ‘Send her back:’ How the Dems are tying the GOP to other hurtful Trump policies | Friday Morning Coffee
By: John L. Micek - July 19, 2019
Dems put the focus on pocketbook issues, women's health issues.
Pa. Rep. Smucker to help lead bipartisan border trip to U.S.-Mexico border on Friday
By: Robin Bravender Capital-Star Washington Bureau and John L. Micek - July 18, 2019
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-11th District, will serve as the co-leader of the trip, along with U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, a Minnesota Democrat, in the Rio Grande Valley on Friday.
Pa.’s Fitzpatrick votes with Dems — again — this time for $15-an-hour minimum wage
By: Robin Bravender Capital-Star Washington Bureau and John L. Micek - July 18, 2019
Democrats on Capitol Hill are hoping the bill will give voters a glimpse of what’s possible if they elect a Democrat to the White House in 2020.