jay-costa

As Pgh synagogue shooter trial begins, there’s new hope for changes to Pa.’s gun, hate crimes laws

BY: - April 23, 2023

'We feel more momentum now for life-saving gun violence prevention policy change than we've felt in years,' Josh Fleitman, of CeaseFirePa, said

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Pa. Senate Democrats urge vote on House-approved proposals providing relief for abuse survivors

BY: - February 27, 2023

Pennsylvania Senate Democrats argue that the upper chamber hasn’t fulfilled a commitment to providing relief for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

The ceiling of the main Rotunda inside Pennsylvania’s Capitol building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

With new leadership in the Pa. Senate, what are lawmakers prioritizing when they return to session?

BY: - November 17, 2022

Since Democrats and Republicans in the GOP-controlled chamber announced new leadership teams this week, their policy agendas and goals vary.

Senate committee investigating Pa. elections holds hearing on ballot drop boxes, Dems walk out

BY: - March 31, 2022

Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, said Democratic committee members did not have time to prepare for Thursday’s hearing.

Lawmakers, Jewish leaders announce $4.5M in security grants; call for permanent funding

BY: - January 27, 2022

Lawmakers from the House and Senate joined Jewish leaders in Pittsburgh on Thursday, as the nation and world observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to announce a new round of state funding for a program intended to keep marginalized and vulnerable communities safe from harm. “You all stepped up. You realized that our community, and all […]

Tree of Life allocated $6.6M in state funds for redevelopment efforts

BY: - December 6, 2021

"We will transform this site that has been marked by horror and the H-word into one full of hope, remembrance, and education," Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers said Monday.

Pa. legislators react to Wolf vetoing expanded concealed carry bill

BY: - December 2, 2021

As promised, Wolf vetoed a bill introduced by Sen. Cris Dush, R-Jefferson, that allows for concealed carry without a permit, lowers the legal age from 21 to 18, and grants open carry in Philadelphia.

Legislators at work? One in 5 laws enacted in Pa. this year renamed a bridge (or road)

BY: - November 10, 2021

Much like legislation naming post offices to members of Congress, bills to name bridges and roads are a staple of slow legislative days in Harrisburg. The honorees range from military members and first responders who have died in the line of service to deceased lawmakers and local historical figures. But such legislation has made up […]

The clock is ticking for lawmakers to draw Pa.’s legislative maps. Here’s why

BY: - October 25, 2021

They must draw the maps by Jan. 2022, but likely will try to finish early to meet deadlines for next year's election.

COMMENTARY

This Pa. budget season, we must invest in safer communities | Opinion

BY: - June 22, 2021

Lawmakers must make this reducing gun violence a top priority in this year’s budget. Lives are depending on it.

To spend or not to spend, Harrisburg asks this budget season

BY: and - May 28, 2021

The question of how to spend $7.3 billion in federal stimulus funds has quickly -- and predictably -- cleaved along party lines.

COMMENTARY

‘We are all in the crossfire’: With gun violence on the rise during the pandemic, one Philadelphia mom is fighting back | Thursday Morning Coffee

BY: - March 4, 2021

“There’s a frustrating sense of normality about murders in our country … the reality is that we are all in the crossfire," an activist said. "The only way to reduce gun violence is to work together."