pa-senate

A group of Pa. lawmakers is urging President Biden to protect immigrants

BY: - November 20, 2023

The 20 state lawmakers — from the House and Senate — noted that immigrants make up 7.3% of Pennsylvania’s total population, and added that federal protections empower immigrants to fill critical jobs amid pressing labor shortages.

Pa. Senate passes ‘explicit content’ legislation after heated debate over whether it’s a book ban

BY: - October 24, 2023

Democrats argued the measures are a de facto book ban, and a redundant effort to exclude content by and for marginalized communities.

The Capital-Star’s guide to resignations, retirements and special elections in Pa. Legislature

BY: - August 24, 2023

[This article was updated at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.] One-third of the way through the 2023-24 legislative session, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has had almost as many special elections as it had in the entirety of the previous session. And the legislative round of musical chairs will continue next month, as […]

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

Pa. Senate to return to session Aug. 30

BY: - August 21, 2023

The Pennsylvania Senate will return for a voting session next week, nearly three weeks ahead of schedule, to work on finalizing the 2023-24 budget.   “Our work to complete the necessary budgetary implementation legislation continues at this time and the Senate will reconvene on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. to finalize the 2023-2024 state […]

‘Long time coming’: Pa. Senate passes probation reform bill | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - June 28, 2023

The bipartisan bill now heads to the state House.

Pa. Senate committee approves Shapiro’s pick for elections chief

BY: - June 26, 2023

Acting Secretary of State Al Schmidt's nomination now goes to the full Senate for a vote.

COMMENTARY
A colorful background of many opened and drunk cans of different drinks

It’s time to make it more convenient to get canned cocktails in Pa. | Opinion

BY: - June 25, 2023

It's more tax revenue for the state -- and it makes consumers' lives easier. That's the definition of a win-win.

Pa. Senate confirms Shapiro admin nominees to lead Labor & Industry, DDAP

BY: - June 21, 2023

The Senate voted to confirm the nominations of Nancy Walker as Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry in a 49-1 vote, and Dr. Latika Davis-Jones as Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs in a unanimous vote. 

Dog law modernization bill passes full Senate | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - June 21, 2023

The bill, SB 746, is sponsored by state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-Beaver, and would raise the cost of a dog license for the first time in more than two decades, among a host of other reform measures.

Minimum wage word written on wood block with American Dollar-bills. Directly above.

‘Some people have three jobs’: All eyes on Harrisburg for a minimum wage hike

BY: - June 18, 2023

'The pay does not match what you actually have to pay for things,' Mary Gabriele told the Capital-Star.

COMMENTARY

What’s in a name? When it comes to Senate’s vote changing DEPs name? Everything | Opinion

BY: - June 16, 2023

A Republican-backed measure to rechristen it the Department of Environmental Services accomplishes nothing.

State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, speaks during a news conference at the Pa. Capitol on March 7, 2023 (Photo by Amanda Mustard for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

A Cleaner Slate: Pa. House approves expanded 2nd chance law | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - June 7, 2023

The bill cleared the House on a 189-14 vote and heads to the state Senate.