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Wolf signs $34 billion budget full of bipartisan wins, but missing progressive priorities
The agreement came after a week of smooth sailing, punctuated by a few surprise blowups and mishaps. Most lawmakers agreed the on-time budget was a sign of a functioning, albeit divided, government.
Pa. budget on its way to Gov. Wolf after education bill dispute temporarily derails process
Negotiations between the Senate and House over the concerns are set to restart Friday morning. A measure to reconsider the bill was already filed by the Democrats.
ACLU lawsuit alleges State Police acted as immigration enforcement during traffic stops
Ten state motorists are suing the Pennsylvania State Police for alleged racial profiling and enforcing federal immigration law without a criminal warrant. The allegations stem from five separate incidents beginning in early 2017, some including U.S. citizens. The plaintiffs, who are Latinx, contend they were asked to show proof of citizenship during routine interactions with […]
How one bill could fund voting machines, change Pennsylvania’s elections, and tick off Democrats
The measure includes some provisions most politicos agree are a long time coming, but also features some controversial changes that Democrats are comparing to voter suppression.
Lawmakers work late into Tuesday, as 2019-20 budget moves forward
The General Assembly moved at a breakneck pace Tuesday night toward budget completion, as the House and Senate advanced several pieces of legislation.
Pennsylvania House passes $34 billion budget proposal without widespread Democratic support
With support from most Republicans and some Democrats, the Pennsylvania House passed a $34 billion budget spending plan Tuesday afternoon, 140-62.
House Republicans ponder rider cutting funding to Pitt to prevent fetal tissue research
As part of budget negotiations, Republicans are considering whether to add language that would cut state funding to the University of Pittsburgh if it participates in fetal tissue research. The proposal piggybacks on a policy push from President Donald Trump’s administration announced earlier this month to end federal government funding for medical research using fetal […]
Without minimum wage, cash assistance, $34 billion budget falls flat with some House Democrats
The House Appropriations Committee advanced a $33.997 billion budget Monday, the opening salvo in the week before the June 30 deadline to secure a new fiscal blueprint for next year.
How a bill to eliminate cash assistance for disabled Pennsylvanians turned into ‘Faustian’ budget dilemma
The bill now extends a Medicaid-related tax on hospitals that will funnel a projected $110 million into Philadelphia’s hospitals and the city’s coffers.
A year after the police shooting of Antwon Rose, this state rep. wants to change Pa.’s deadly force rule
Rep. Summer Lee, a freshman Democrat who represents an area near where Rose died, has introduced legislation that would restrict when police officers can use deadly force.
Pa. House votes to eliminate cash assistance for adults with disabilities, addiction
The 106-95 vote came after more than a hour of impassioned pleas from Democrats and at-times angry rebuttals from Republicans, who took offense to the framing of the debate.
Cracking the Code: These budget bills are where the deals get made
The bills are a package of budget-enabling legislation that effectively serves as the instruction manual for spending the money in the state’s General Fund budget.