jake-wheatley
Western Pa. lawmakers introduce adult-use cannabis bill
The bill includes a “Cannabis Clean Slate” proposal that would expunge the records of non-violent drug offenders and release incarcerated non-violent drug offenders.
Gov. Tom Wolf pardoned 69 marijuana offenders. Why that matters | Tuesday Morning Coffee
The executive action 'will give these 310 people a chance to put the conviction behind them, offering them more opportunities,' the Wolf administration said.
With audit rejected, lawmakers shift focus to future changes to Pa.’s election code
A bipartisan legislative research panel has rejected a watered-down House Republican proposal to complete a duplicative audit of the 2020 presidential election. The rejection was the latest in a running battle between Harrisburg Republicans and Democrats over the election’s administration, featuring tough rhetoric backed by scant evidence in preview of a 2021 voting reform push. […]
Activists, W.Pa. lawmakers call on Allegheny Co. officials to increase access to the ballot box
Allegheny County election officials have already processed 204,000 mail-in and absentee ballot applications to date,
Pittsburgh lawmaker wants Pa. to declare racism a public health crisis | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Let’s not allow the moment and growing call for justice to fade without making meaningful policy change,' said Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny.
As Turzai backs police reform before resignation, Black lawmakers judge his legacy
Mike Turzai’s retirement announcement Wednesday came just days after he added his voice to the chorus of millions calling for policing reforms in America.
In rebooted recreational cannabis legalization plan, Pgh. lawmaker calls for ‘Cannabis Clean Slate’
Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, wants to combine social justice and criminal justice reform in a revised recreational cannabis legalization plan.
‘We’re making progress’ but work remains to educate Black Pa. residents about HIV/AIDS, lawmakers say
Black people make up 13 percent of Pennsylvania's population of about 12.8 million people. But they accounted for 42 percent of HIV diagnoses in 2018 -- and to Rep. Brian Sims that's "racist as hell."
In first-ever hearing on legalizing cannabis, House GOP focuses on Pa. gun owners
"I think there's going to be a lot more discussion and conversation over the next few years prior to acting on any of those pieces of legislation," one Republican said.
Rep. Jake Wheatley thinks Pa. is ready for recreational pot – again
Even with Senate GOP leadership opposed and a decriminalization bill just receiving its first tentative vote last fall, Rep. Jake Wheatley sees reasons for optimism that this session could mean legal pot for Pennsylvania.