pa-legis
Pennsylvania’s property tax, explained: A moral wrong, or the building block of government finance?
When he started knocking on doors during his inaugural campaign for state representative in 1992, Sam Rohrer noticed a topic popping up again and again — property taxes. He was aware of complaints, but the extent of the problem became more and more apparent as he talked to his soon-to-be constituents in Berks County. Rohrer, […]
Property tax elimination hearing draws big crowd, but agreement still scarce
YORK, Pa. — To Jim Rodkey, property taxes are serfdom. “I am here today because I believe the property tax to be the most morally irresponsible, regressive, and unfair system of taxation in existence,” Rodkey, the head of the Pennsylvania Property Rights Association, a nonprofit group opposed to property taxes, said Tuesday. “Regardless of the […]
How one bill could fund voting machines, change Pennsylvania’s elections, and tick off Democrats
The measure includes some provisions most politicos agree are a long time coming, but also features some controversial changes that Democrats are comparing to voter suppression.
Cracking the Code: These budget bills are where the deals get made
The bills are a package of budget-enabling legislation that effectively serves as the instruction manual for spending the money in the state’s General Fund budget.
Wolf’s infrastructure plan makes legislative debut with near-majority support
Gov. Tom Wolf’s much-hyped plan to expand broadband internet, fight flooding, and invest in natural gas production, among other infrastructure investments, was released Wednesday — with nearly enough support to pass both chambers. According to a statement released by Wolf’s office, 99 House and 25 Senate lawmakers from both parties support the legislation. According to […]
State legislators want a guaranteed opportunity to defend laws against court challenges
The bill, which passed the House in May on a near-party line vote, would let leadership in the General Assembly grant lawmakers standing in court to defend the constitutionality of laws — a decision usually handled by a judge.
State rep. responds to online outrage over bill that allows underage, uncompensated musicians to play in bars
The measure's sponsor says payment is a completely separate issue, and the complaints are driven by people who haven't read the bill.
Turzai lends support to gift ban after activists shower lawmakers with dollar bills, get arrested
Twenty activists were arrested at the Capitol on Monday, after dropping dollars labeled “bribe” and blocking a building entrance in an attempt to pressure the state House to pass what they say is a long overdue gift ban. The activists came from March On Harrisburg, a grassroots anti-corruption organization, at the conclusion of a nine-day […]
Pa. GOP leaders trumpet soaring state revenue, caution against spending
Legislative Republicans on Wednesday took a victory lap over a bustling state economy, giving credit to President Donald Trump's tax cuts, while cautioning against spending the newfound windfall.
In call to arms for environmental action, Wolf and lawmakers name Eastern hellbender state amphibian
No, a live hellbender did not attend the ceremony.
House passes child sex abuse statute reforms, kicks them to Senate, Scarnati
By wide bipartisan margins, the House on Wednesday passed legislation to eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for child sexual abuse.