Government & Politics
Former Pa. House lawmaker Jennifer Mann partners with Harrisburg lobbying firm
Reminding us that there are always second acts in public life, a former Democratic state representative from the Lehigh Valley is joining forces with long-running Harrisburg government relations firm Triad Strategies. The “strategic partnership” with ex-Rep. Jennifer Mann, of Allentown, “made a great deal of sense, and we’re thrilled to have her in the fold.” Triad’s […]
‘Fight for $15’ campaigners furious at Erie Democrat for showing hand ahead of minimum wage fight
State ‘Fight for $15 activists’ are hoping to inspire a fighting attitude among a key House Democrat in the the clash to raise the minimum wage. Keystone Progress, a progressive advocacy group, is seeking signatures to push back on comments from Rep. Pat Harkins where he suggested he’d compromise on increasing the state minimum wage. […]
Report: 37,000+ cancer diagnoses made because of Pa.’s Medicaid expansion
It’s been four years since Gov. Tom Wolf expanded Medicaid access to low-income adults. Since then, 1.4 million people have been covered, and Pennsylvania’s uninsured rate has fallen to 5.5 percent. That’s the lowest in the commonwealth’s history, state Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller said Friday. During a Capitol news conference, the agency […]
Wait? What? Pennsylvania has clout on Capitol Hill now? | Friday Morning Coffee
Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. There’s no nice way to say this, so we’re just going to come out and say it. It’s been a lonnnnggggg time since Pennsylvania had any clout on Capitol Hill. How long? We’re talking ‘Single Bullet Theory” long. We’re talking “Not Proven, Scottish Law” long. Not since dinosaurs … err … the late U.S. Sen. […]
Here’s how to avoid the next government shutdown | Madeleine Dean
President Trump didn't mention the shutdown once during his State of the Union address on Tuesday. We can't let another one happen.
Meet the Pennsylvania Republican who’s playing defense on Trump’s tax returns
Philly Dems. Dwight Evans and Brendan Boyle now wield clout in the new majority WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly has emerged as a central player in U.S. House Republicans’ efforts to discourage the new Democratic majority from securing President Donald Trump’s tax returns. Kelly, whose sprawling 16th District seat stretches from the shores of […]
Payday lenders just scored a win in Washington — will they try again in Pennsylvania? | John L. Micek
And, as ever, it’s those who are cheering the loudest for him that will end up suffering the most. Let's hope Pa. lawmakers have more sense.
The controversial fee on Pennsylvania State Police coverage, explained
Like diamonds and a mother's love, some things are timeless — including the perennial fight over a proposed fee on Pennsylvania municipalities that rely solely on State Police.
As the fight over Trump’s Wall rages in Washington, Pa. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon is headed for the Border
The delegation headed by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer "will meet directly with immigrant advocates about the humanitarian situation as well as receive a border security briefing."
Lawmaker who chaired Liquor Control Committee moves to lobbying role for Pa. brewers
Former Rep. Adam Harris, a Republican who spent 16 years in the General Assembly before retiring last session, has a new job leading outreach for Pennsylvania’s beer brewing industry. Harris was chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee in 2016 when the state reformed its liquor laws, including letting distributors sell six packs. “Brewers across Pennsylvania […]
Pa. Dems want your $4 to pass ‘the most progressive budget in years’
We'll look forward to the inevitable television commercials and direct-mail pieces that $4 ask will more than likely underwrite.
Math is hard. Budget math is harder | Thursday Morning Coffee
When he rode into office four years ago, Gov. Tom Wolf was pretty clear about one thing: The way Harrisburg was balancing its books wasn’t working. Simply moving pots of money around, and relying on one-time fixes to make ends meet had to change. We’ve since come to refer to this as “The Pizza Law of Budgeting,” […]