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Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

A guide to the gatekeepers: Here’s who’s running the most powerful committees in Harrisburg

BY: - March 21, 2023

Out of the 50 legislative committees in the General Assembly, 41 of them have new majority chairs this year

COMMENTARY
Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

I’m an abuse survivor. The Pa. General Assembly has to do better | Opinion

BY: - March 14, 2023

Changing and updating legislative rules are just the beginning -- not the end -- of addressing the issue.

Pa. House bill would boost accountability on hospital shutdowns | Thursday Morning Coffee

BY: - March 9, 2023

The bill is now before the House Health Committee; companion legislation is before the state Senate.

COMMENTARY

Let’s talk about the real ‘freedoms’ that are worth defending | Jill Sunday Bartoli

BY: - March 2, 2023

Our elected representatives need to work to heal our economic and cultural divides instead of deepening them.

Former Md. GOP gubernatorial candidate to serve as Mastriano’s chief of staff

BY: - February 10, 2023

Mastriano and Cox sought the governorship of their respective states and campaigned together in the lead-up to the 2022 general election. 

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

Lobbyist’s harassment claim shines new light on efforts to hold Pa. lawmakers accountable

BY: - February 5, 2023

A union lobbyist’s allegation of sexual harassment by a sitting member of the Pennsylvania House has again highlighted the need for comprehensive sexual harassment policies in the General Assembly, lawmakers advocating such rules say. Andi Perez, a lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union 32BJ, said last month that she was touched inappropriately by a […]

Bipartisan Senate bill would change how Pa. charges children as adults | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - January 24, 2023

A judge would have to sign off before a juvenile case is moved to to adult court.

Shapiro’s environmental agenda raises hopes — but also questions

BY: - January 24, 2023

Advocates want Shapiro to 'to lead where his predecessors have failed' on environmental issues.

COMMENTARY

Is there a statute of limitations on bad ideas? | Editorial Cartoon

BY: - January 14, 2023

Pennsylvania Senate lawmakers voted 28-21 to approve a three-part constitutional amendment package that could appear on the May 2023 ballot.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Voter ID, audits, regulatory authority constitutional amendments advance Pa. Senate committee

BY: - January 9, 2023

"Voter ID laws, like this, are known tactics that suppress votes and make it harder for people to access the ballot,” Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Delaware, said.

Here’s what election reforms could come in Harrisburg after power shift in Pa. statehouse

BY: - December 30, 2022

Lawmakers, lobbyists, and voting advocates preview their elections reform wishlists for the next session.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Education, lobbying reform and abortion among issues on lawmakers’ agendas in next session

BY: and - December 29, 2022

The Pennsylvania General Assembly starts a new two-year legislative session when members return in January. And lawmakers have been busy circulating plans to introduce and reintroduce bills since Dec. 1 — addressing election reform, education, health, safety, and economic development. Here is a look at some of the legislation the Capital-Star is watching so far […]