pa-legis

Patient limits for nurses has majority support, but won’t advance in Harrisburg. Why?

BY: - January 25, 2022

The culprit is legislative rules that have troubled reformers and advocates in many fields, not just health care.

Courts likely to pick Pa. congressional map after Wolf, Legislature fall short

BY: and - January 24, 2022

(*This story was updated at 6:04 p.m. 1/24/22 with comment from state Rep. Seth Grove, R-York and 9:03 p.m. with comment from Gov. Tom Wolf.) Despite some last-minute intrigue, the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate on Monday passed a new congressional redistricting plan along party lines, 29-20, sending it to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk. But Wolf […]

In final year, Wolf touts multi-billion surplus; but projections depict gloomy fiscal future

BY: - January 20, 2022

This sign of economic strength, Wolf said, was a direct result of his “progressive” policy agenda, which has resulted in $2.8 billion more in education spending, lower prison populations, and more government funding for economic development and health care.

Pa.’s bitter, chaotic redistricting cycle likely to reach crescendo in court

BY: - January 12, 2022

To be sure, they are giving it a go. New state House and Senate maps could be approved as soon as next week by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission under constitutionally required deadlines.

Harrisburg Republicans advance redistricting reform amid map fight

BY: - January 10, 2022

The proposal has a long way to go to become law — the earliest that could happen is spring 2023. But it’s the latest in a run of constitutional changes from Harrisburg Republicans that could reshuffle the balance of power in favor of the General Assembly.

Redistricting chair Nordenberg defends proposed state House map against GOP attacks

BY: - January 6, 2022

'It's awkward to talk about myself, but I don't have teams of public relations professionals to talk about myself like the caucus leaders do,' he said Thursday.

Wolf admin used state grant funding as leverage during debate on carbon fee

BY: - January 4, 2022

The General Assembly fell eight votes shy of the needed two thirds majority to overcome the governor's veto.

Pa. lawmakers say they have time to draw maps; but state courts, Wolf admin. disagree

BY: - December 22, 2021

Pennsylvania lost one congressional seat in the 2020 census, the lawsuits argue, making a timely new map even more critical. The state is going from 18 to 17 congressional seats.

Wolf vetoes school curriculum bill; signs nine others, including broadband authority, into law

BY: - December 22, 2021

State law already requires public schools to allow parents and guardians access to their child’s curriculum, academic standards, instructional materials, and assessment techniques by request.

The Capital-Star’s 2022 Pa. incumbent retirement and primary tracker

BY: - December 17, 2021

Reminder, the legislative maps are drafts and could change in the next thirty days. After that, there is a high likelihood of court challenges. Still, with that said, here is the latest running tally of lawmakers retiring next year, or facing a colleague to come back to Harrisburg.

Pa. House moves to reform bridge naming process

BY: - December 14, 2021

The House Transportation Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve legislation sponsored by Rep. John Lawrence, R-Chester, that would give private citizens the ability to name roads themselves if they secure community input, collect money to replace road signs, and apply to PennDOT.

Listening to GOP lawmakers, Pa. House committee doesn’t vote on citizen-drawn map

BY: - December 13, 2021

Advocates, Democrats wait to see that they've been heard on congressional lines.