mark-okeefe
Were Wolf’s budget season trades worth the price of a deal? Democrats may find out in 2022 | Mark O’Keefe
Was Gov. Tom Wolf trying to put a good face on the $40.8 billion state budget recently passed by the General Assembly, calling it a “good budget?” While Wolf was happy the Legislature passed the budget ahead of the June 30 deadline; it contained none of the significant proposals he made during his budget address […]
A Cambria County lawmaker has a plan to make Pa.’s liquor license system more competitive. Will it work? | Mark O’Keefe
Ever wonder why you have to bring alcohol to your favorite restaurant? Ever wonder why your favorite bar closes and never reopens? Situations like the above happen primarily because of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s rules and regulations. In the first situation, a restaurant may not have a liquor license because few are available in […]
Pa.’s volunteer fire departments are in crisis. How Pa. lawmakers are moving to help | Mark O’Keefe
In 1970, there were about 300,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania. That number has plummeted to 38,000 today.
Will Pa. lawmakers pass local police radar bill — or let it pass them by again? | Mark O’Keefe
The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, the union representing members of the Pennsylvania State Police, added its support this year for the first time.
My family’s experience explains why mental health reform has to be part of the solution to mass shootings | Mark O’Keefe
While taking the guns out of the hands of the mentally ill who are dangerous would be a good start, actually helping those people deal with their problems would be the best course of action.
The Pa. Gaming Control Board is a patronage dumping ground. It’s time to fix it | Mark O’Keefe
Despite a massive outcry over several recent questionable appointments to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, it appears as if the dust has settled with no changes in sight. The hirings included Democrat Frank Dermody, of Allegheny County, and Republican Frances Regan of York County. Dermody, the former Democratic floor leader in the state House, lost […]
Judicial remap amendment is on hold – for now. The risk remains | Mark O’Keefe
Once again, the Pennsylvania Legislature is proving that it's an institution full of uncertainty and unpredictability.
Johnstown lawmaker scores big win in fight with Pa. liquor board. But the fight continues | Mark O’Keefe
The real losers, noted Burns, were taxpayers who paid for the futile legal battle.
In elections, education, like demographics, is now political destiny | Mark O’Keefe
It seems inevitable, for now anyway, that education levels will take their place among gender, race, and income levels in determining how elections are won and lost.
What 5 counties tell us about the changing face of Pa.’s elections | Mark O’Keefe
The five counties had been the solid rock built by the Democratic party to control Pennsylvania politically. However, that rock began to crumble in the early 2000s.
Remember the good old days — when Wolf and Republicans could actually compromise? That’s gone | Mark O’Keefe
Too bad, it's doubtful to happen this election year when the future of our democracy is on the line.
Trump breaks with Birx on virus threat. Now we know why | Mark O’Keefe
Birx, who has had a roller-coaster relationship with Trump, appears to be on the outs with the president along with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious-disease official.