lisa-baker
Following Cosby’s release, two Pa. senators want to mandate written non-prosecution agreements
In the aftermath of Bill Cosby’s release from prison, the top members of the state Senate Judiciary Committee are drafting legislation that would require all future non-prosecution agreements to be in writing in order to be enforceable. It’s a proposal Sens. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne, the panel’s chairperson, and Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, its ranking Democratic member, […]
Will public institutions be held liable for decades-old abuse claims? Pa. Senate bill wants to make sure they can
An amendment that a key state Senate committee approved Tuesday seeks to put to rest a separate debate: whether public institutions, such as local government and schools, can be held liable for abuse that took place decades ago.
Former Pa. Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, who ‘cared about justice above partisanship,’ dies at age 81
“It is counterintuitive,” he said in 2018. “You'd think tough on crime is the way to go and you'd have lower crime rates, but it didn't happen."
Five things the Legislature can do to make Pennsylvanians’ lives measurably better in 2021 | John L. Micek
This new time calls for a reset on everything. The dawning of a new year offers just such and opportunity. The 253 members of the General Assembly should not squander it.
New report gives Pa. a D-Minus for its civil forfeiture laws | Thursday Morning Coffee
For-profit policing is alive and well in the Keystone State, new report finds.
Pa. Senate tees up constitutional amendment opening civil window for sex abuse survivors
A senior Republican in the state Senate says she's prioritizing approval of legislation that would amend the state constitution to open a two-year retroactive window in which survivors of sexual abuse could bring civil suits against offenders in old cases.
Three takeaways from the first day of the Pa. Senate’s police reform hearings
The Senate Judiciary and Law and Justice committees held the first of two days of hearings allowing law enforcement officials, community organizers and advocates to sound off on the proposals.
Wolf’s budget earmarks $5M in aid to communities hit by prison, residential center shutdowns
The centers employ hundreds of Pennsylvanians, often in rural areas. But they're expensive. Which means they're the first on the chopping block.
The big things we learned from the Pa. Senate’s marathon gun safety hearings
No. 1: A key Republican hasn't closed the door on a red flag proposal.
Guns will be on the agenda during Sept. 24, 25 state Senate hearings
Sen. Lisa Baker, who took charge of the Senate panel in late 2018, announced her intent to hold hearings on gun control last week, after gunmen in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio killed 31 people in mass shootings.
‘Symbolic steps on guns don’t save lives’: Top Senate Republican says she’ll hold hearings on gun safety measures
(*This post has been updated) Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. A key legislative voice on gun-control is speaking out this Wednesday morning, and it voice belongs to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne, whose word not only matters because her panel has a big say on any new gun legislation, it also matters because […]
Wolf announces reforms to state regulation of child, adult care facilities
With an eye on improving conditions for vulnerable Pennsylvanians — everyone from children to the disabled and the elderly — Gov. Tom Wolf signed an executive order Wednesday to reform internal policies while seeking suggestions for further action by fall. Citing the “Kids for Cash” scandal — where two judges took millions in kickbacks from […]