jessica-benham
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.
Federal marriage protection law is a win, but ‘more work remains,’ Pa. Rep. Benham says in D.C.
At the White House, President Joe Biden signs law extending historic marriage protections to same-sex and interracial couples.
Progressive incumbent women were snubbed by Allegheny Co. Dem Committee. Does it matter?
The county party opted to endorse their primary opponents on May 17. It wasn't unfamiliar territory.
It’s long past time we stopped treating healthcare like a privilege | Opinion
It’s time to give Pennsylvanians much-needed relief -- it’s not only smart policy, it’s the right thing to do.
Alle. Co. DA Zappala faces calls for resignation from fellow W.Pa Democrats
By Ryan Deto PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala has faced significant fallout for an email he sent in May to his deputy prosecutors forbidding them from offering any plea deals to the clients of a well-known Black lawyer who five days prior criticized Zappala’s office for being “systematically racist.” The American Civil Liberties Union is calling for […]
House Dems’ bill would create new Dept. of Accessibility & Inclusion | Thursday Morning Coffee
Nearly 1 in 4 Pennsylvanians have a disability. The state needs to better serve their needs, two Western Pa. lawmakers argue.
Pgh. Dem lawmakers call out Wolf over Pa.’s vaccine roll out, ask for more direct communication to residents
Demand for the vaccine has spiked ever since the state expanded who can receive the vaccine under the 1A part of the vaccine roll-out plan.
Scranton Joe? Biden gets heat for inaugural celebration with union-busting law firm
The firm, based in Philadelphia, has employed both U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5th District, and former Gov. Ed Rendell.
What Pgh’s LGBTQ organizers and legislators say must be done post-election
While a Biden victory will mean some wins for the the LGBTQ community, such as overturning Trump’s anti-trans policies, local Pittsburgh leaders and elected officials still realize there are many goals to accomplish, and the fight for equality continues.
Capital-Star Q&A: State Rep.-elect Jessica Benham; Pa.’s first out woman LGBTQ lawmaker
Democrat Jessica Benham won election last week to Allegheny County's 36th House District. She will replace long-serving Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, who is retiring at year's end.
Poised for progress: W.Pa. women score primary night wins | Analysis
Once again, candidates endorsed by the progressive PAC, Women for the Future of Pittsburgh, won or are poised to win their primary elections.
W.Pa. House candidate will stay on the primary ballot, state court judge rules
State House hopeful Heather Kass needed 300 signatures to stay on the spring ballot A judge ruled that 306 of them were valid.