Author

Marley Parish

Marley Parish

Marley Parish covers the Senate for the Capital-Star.

Shapiro signs bipartisan bill enhancing coverage for breast cancer screening, testing

By: - May 1, 2023

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed legislation — his first since taking office — that lawmakers hope will save lives by enhancing insurance coverage for breast cancer screening and genetic testing.

PASSHE board delays vote on tuition until July

By: - April 20, 2023

The requested state funding package, PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein said, would help maintain affordability at State System schools and address worker shortages by enrolling and graduating career-ready students.

Senate Education Committee Chairperson Scott Martin, R-Lancaster, leads a hearing held at the Pennsylvania Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa. Republican proposes FAFSA requirement for high school seniors

By: - April 19, 2023

The legislation will allow for opt-outs if a student has permission from a parent or guardian.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa. House panel advances relief for abuse victims in opposition to Senate amendment bundle

By: and - April 18, 2023

Pennsylvania lawmakers on Tuesday took another step on the tortuous path toward long-sought legal relief for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, but the route to making it a reality remains to be mapped out. The House Judiciary Committee advanced standalone versions of a proposed constitutional amendment that would give abuse survivors a two-year exception to […]

Shapiro administration moves to schedule sedative for animals found in illicit drugs

By: - April 18, 2023

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro noted that veterinarians in the commonwealth can still access xylazine for their work.

5 ways educators think lawmakers could help fix Pa.’s K-12 staffing crisis

By: - April 17, 2023

Officials are considering more concrete ways to address the state’s declining rate of teachers, which has left educators still in the classroom with increased workloads, and make long-term investments in the teaching profession.

Solar power panels in field on a sunny autumn day (Getty Images).

Pa. lawmakers propose grant program to fund solar projects at K-12 schools, colleges

By: - April 16, 2023

State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, initially proposed the idea — dubbed the Solar for Schools Grant Program — in December.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Republican again proposes taxing skill games, calling them part ‘of the small business economy’

By: - April 13, 2023

Sen. Gene Yaw proposed that all skill games in Pennsylvania be “connected to a terminal collection and control system."

The ceiling of the main Rotunda inside Pennsylvania’s Capitol building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa. House committee advances bill to increase eating disorder awareness, identification among kids

By: - April 12, 2023

The proposal — which is the product of a group of constituents working to raise awareness — has been in the works for roughly six years.

Advocates urge against using taxpayer money to fund crisis pregnancy centers 

By: and - April 11, 2023

Pennsylvania reproductive health advocates want the next state budget to defund so-called “crisis pregnancy centers,” arguing that they use misleading practices to deter abortion access.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa. Department of Education launches disability-inclusive curriculum pilot program

By: - April 5, 2023

Pennsylvania schools interested in participating in pilot program should apply online by 3 p.m. on May 15, 2023.

Pa. firefighters urge Shapiro to remove PFAS from gear, prioritize mental health support

By: - April 4, 2023

“Changes need to be made by manufacturers to remove this life-threatening chemical from our gear,” said Pat Miller, an Altoona firefighter and the western vice president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association.