Author

Laura Olson

Laura Olson

Laura Olson covers the nation's capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit outlets that includes Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections, and campaign finance.

Biden vows to veto resolutions blocking employer vaccine mandate; Pa.’s Keller leads House fight

By: - December 9, 2021

The Senate's rebuke on Wednesday was the latest blow for the president’s proposed vaccine requirements, which have faced a slew of legal challenges.

At-home COVID tests to be covered by insurance—but details still to come

By: - December 2, 2021

Making those tests more accessible will allow Americans to get results quickly and in the privacy of their own homes.

Democrats risk losses in 2022 if they give up on paid leave, advocates say

By: - November 30, 2021

'I think people assumed this was a given, that why would you drop paid leave in a pandemic?' one advocate asked

New COVID omicron variant ‘not a cause for panic,’ Biden says

By: - November 29, 2021

Biden did not announce any new travel restrictions or other federal actions during his brief remarks from the White House. 

How paid leave, a tax cut for the rich, and more could get axed from Biden’s social policy bill

By: and - November 27, 2021

Any changes made in the Senate will mean the bill must return to the House for another vote before it could be signed into law.

House Dems pass Biden’s $1.85T domestic policy bill; Pa. lawmakers split on party lines

By: , , and - November 19, 2021

The sprawling 'Build Back Better' legislation now goes to the U.S. Senate, where Sen. Bob Casey has called for swift action.

Federal judge sides with GOP states challenging limits on tax cuts in pandemic relief law

By: - November 17, 2021

The ruling, which granted a permanent injunction, found that the prohibition on state tax cuts was too vague and 'a federal invasion of state sovereignty.'

‘America is moving again’: Biden signs $1.2T infrastructure bill, bringing billions to Pa.

By: , , and - November 15, 2021

The bill, which channels billions of dollars in funding to the Keystone State, 'will undoubtedly move Pennsylvania forward,' Gov. Tom Wolf said.

States, cities face deadline for proving how quickly they’ve helped renters in crisis

By: - November 14, 2021

The process for sorting out which states and cities may receive more federal rental aid money and which may see reductions begins Monday.

White House touts clean energy, transit, rail projects in sprawling infrastructure bill

By: and - November 10, 2021

WASHINGTON — Federal officials on Tuesday offered details about how money from the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill would be spent, emphasizing the pending law’s potential to add clean energy capacity. Department of Transportation officials highlighted the $1.2 trillion bill’s record funding for public transit like buses and subways, as well as for Amtrak. They […]

Federal vaccine rule for private businesses to kick in on Jan. 4

By: - November 4, 2021

The new OSHA rule will save thousands of lives and prevent hospitalizations, the administration has argued.

COVID-19 vaccines for kids 5 to 11 get final endorsement by CDC

By: - November 3, 2021

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has signed off on giving Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to all kids ages 5 to 11, a final decision that means those children can begin receiving shots as soon as Wednesday. Vials of the pediatric version of the vaccine have already been shipped to states, so they are […]