News
Keeping ‘the lights on’: Pennsylvania’s libraries poised to get first state funding boost in a decade
Libraries across the state are still reeling from deep cuts they sustained in 2003, when the General Assembly slashed the library subsidy. Many libraries reduced their hours or programs to trim costs.
Nineteen Pa. counties are actively collaborating with ICE to deport immigrants in local custody, new report finds
Pennsylvania's county governments are "systematically cooperating" with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to deport undocumented immigrants who end up in local police custody.
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 […]
Pa. state Senate votes to send $34 billion budget to Gov. Tom Wolf
Leadership in both chambers expects to finish the entire budget Thursday evening or Friday.
How SCOTUS’ gerrymandering decision could put Pennsylvania’s own ruling in the spotlight
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that federal courts have no role to play in adjudicating accusations that political boundaries were drawn for partisan purposes. That 5-4 decision will have no impact on Pennsylvania’s congressional map, which was redrawn as the result of a state Supreme Court gerrymandering decision in 2018. The new map […]
U.S. Supreme Court’s decision allowing courts to sit out partisan gerrymandering won’t stifle reform efforts, Pa. activists say
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday issued two of its most-anticipated rulings of this term, delaying the addition of a citizenship to the 2020 census and declaring that the courts can’t settle partisan gerrymandering disputes.
Pa. lawmakers seize on Pentagon spending bill to tackle PFAS in drinking water
Lawmakers and environmental advocates say they’re optimistic that legislation to address the toxic chemicals will soon take effect.
Armed teachers in Pa.’s schools? Groups on both sides of the gun debate say Senate bill would allow it
It could result in arming teachers. Gov. Tom Wolf has said he'll veto any such measure.
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.
Top Republican on Senate chaos: ‘Today we saw what happens when rules aren’t followed’
"This is the worst day in the Senate that I’ve been here," one top Republican said.
Democrats storm off the floor as Senate sends bill eliminating cash assistance for disabled Pennsylvanians to Gov. Wolf
At times, the Senate floor broke into total chaos.
Pa. House, Senate Republicans tout looming completion of package of pro-farmer bills
With Farm Show milkshakes in hand (of course), Republican leaders in the state House and Senate gathered in the Capitol rotunda on Wednesday to tout a package of bills that they say reiterates the Legislature’s commitment to Pennsylvania farmers. “I laid out a challenge to my colleagues and to the governor to really step up […]