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The exterior of the Pennsylvania state Capitol on March 7, 2023 (Photo by Amanda Mustard for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

Pa. state senators plan to introduce bipartisan sexual harassment bills

BY: - November 14, 2023

A bipartisan group of women state Senators said Tuesday they will introduce a pair of bills aimed at combating sexual harassment in the workplace. This announcement comes just over a month after Gov. Josh Shapiro’s legislative affairs secretary, Mike Vereb, resigned following sexual harassment allegations.  “As leaders, we need to set the standard to create […]

GOP lawmakers say Shapiro’s response to harassment case shows room for improvement

BY: - October 15, 2023

As lawmakers return to Harrisburg this week, some in the state House and Senate say they will be discussing a response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against a longtime ally and cabinet secretary that reportedly led to a secret settlement with the accuser. In response to statements by the administration that […]

Ward calls state Senate back into session to ‘finalize’ Pa. budget

BY: - August 2, 2023

Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, said in a statement late Wednesday that she was calling the Senate back into session Thursday at 1 p.m. “to finalize the General Appropriations Budget.” Signing the legislation “will provide the necessary funding to schools, counties, and organizations completing 75% of the budget,” Ward said. She added […]

Deadline to appeal decision in K-12 funding case passes

BY: - July 24, 2023

Education advocates hope this clears a path for Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and lawmakers in the General Assembly to develop a new funding method.

COMMENTARY

Pa.’s budget impasse is a binge-worthy — and totally fixable — summer drama | Friday Coffee

BY: - July 14, 2023

Maybe it won't be fixed in 59 minutes. But history shows that this, too, shall pass.

Shapiro signs bipartisan bill enhancing coverage for breast cancer screening, testing

BY: - May 1, 2023

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed legislation — his first since taking office — that lawmakers hope will save lives by enhancing insurance coverage for breast cancer screening and genetic testing.

‘Game-changer’ cancer screening bill passes House and Senate, awaits final passage from Shapiro

BY: - April 26, 2023

Senate Bill 8, which was introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, after her own breast cancer diagnosis in May 2021, will require insurers to cover all costs associated with genetic counseling and genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation for people with a family history of — or who are at high risk for — being diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer.

COMMENTARY
Gov. Josh Shapiro addresses a joint session of the state House and Senate on Tuesday, 3/7/23 (Photo by Amanda Mustard, for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

A ‘commonsense’ budget? In Harrisburg? Just maybe | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - March 8, 2023

There's a little something for everyone in Gov. Josh Shapiro's first budget. Here's why that might work in his favor.

COMMENTARY

For McClinton, a historic speaker’s election – and a historic challenge | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - March 1, 2023

The Philadelphia Democrat has the gavel -- and a slender majority. What she does next matters.

Looking to break a logjam in HBG, Pa. House speaker takes show on the road | Monday Morning Coffee

BY: - January 23, 2023

But will it play in Pittsburgh? Panel convened by Speaker Mark Rozzi will hold a public session in the Steel City on Wednesday.

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

Relief for child sex abuse survivors passes Senate as part of constitutional amendment package

BY: - January 11, 2023

The House has until Jan. 27 to pass the statutory window constitutional amendment, and the other proposed changes, for them to appear on the May ballot.

Pa. Legislature welcomes new members, House elects Rozzi as speaker

BY: and - January 3, 2023

The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s 2023-24 session started Tuesday with the swearing-in of new lawmakers and the resolution of a leadership quandary in the lower chamber.