Briefs
U.S. to hit debt limit much sooner than expected, thrusting Congress into showdown
The country will reach the debt limit on Jan. 19 at which point the Treasury Department will begin using extraordinary measures.
Outgoing Gov. Wolf sets clemency record, granting 2,540 pardons
The administration said that 395 of the 2,540 pardons granted were part of an expedited review program, authorized by then-Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and the state Board of Pardon in 2019, to speed up the clemency application process for people with nonviolent marijuana possession or paraphernalia convictions.
Shapiro taps Pat Browne for revenue secretary among four more cabinet nominees
Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro has nominated former state Sen. Pat Browne as revenue secretary among four nominations for cabinet positions.
Coming Sunday: Higher prices for wine, liquor at Pa.’s state stores
(*This story was updated at 5:02 p.m. on Thursday, 1/12/23 with additional comment from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. It was updated at 3:28 a.m. on Friday 1/13/23 to update attribution to a PLCB spokesperson.) An industry trade group is pushing back against a 4% price hike on wine and liquor set to go into […]
New federal student loan repayment plan aimed at low-income borrowers
However, it's unclear how government will be able to finance the program.
Philly Human Relations Commission hosts anti-hate panel
“Hate has no place in our city or anywhere across our state and nation, yet it poses a real threat that disproportionately impacts people of color, the Jewish community, and members of our LGBTQ+ community, specifically transgender women of color,” said Kia Ghee, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.
Pa. Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus changes up leadership
Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, of Philadelphia, and Jessica Benham, of Allegheny County, are the caucus' new chairs. Both are out lawmakers.
The U.S. House Chaos Caucus | Editorial Cartoon
Lawmakers in Pa. and D.C. were a study in contrasts this week with their respective Speaker elections.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey says he has prostate cancer but has an ‘excellent prognosis’
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said Thursday that he was diagnosed last month with prostate cancer. Casey, Pennsylvania’s senior senator, said he has been given an “excellent prognosis” and has exceptional medical treatment and the unwavering support of his family. In a statement Thursday morning, Casey said he will undergo surgery in the coming months […]
Shapiro taps former Philadelphia commissioner to serve as Pa.’s top election official
Al Schmidt, the current president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, will be nominated to oversee the Pennsylvania Department of State, which handles elections, as secretary of state, Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro announced Thursday morning.
The GOP’s New Year’s resolution | Editorial Cartoon
Will Republicans give up the myth of the stolen election in 2023?
State cabinet secretaries explained: How are they appointed, and what does the process look like?
There are currently 22 appointed cabinet secretaries and officials, 16 of whom hold the title “secretary or acting secretary,” under Gov. Tom Wolf. The other six are a combination of generals and commissioners.