Pa. House lawmakers can be punished for alleged sexual misconduct against chamber employees, but current rules leave many people, including administration officials and lobbyists, unprotected.
Spotlight PA
The bipartisan push to cut corporate taxes in Pennsylvania, explained
Pennsylvania levies a 9.99% tax on corporate net income, the second-highest rate in the country.
Facing pressure from Democrats, Pa. panel avoids considering gun bills in wake of mass shootings
By sending a slate of firearms-related bills to another committee, a GOP-controlled panel threw cold water on an effort to force a vote on the legislation.
Pa. is considering a ban on trans athletes that experts say is discriminatory
Pennsylvania legislation that would ban transgender student-athletes from participating on teams corresponding with their gender lean on shoddy science and discriminatory ideas.
Legal but unregulated hemp derivative delta-8 thrives in Pa.’s thorny marijuana landscape
Despite its legal status, delta-8 is not subject to any regulations or mandatory testing in Pennsylvania, and its packaging isn’t required to note potential side effects.
A fight over public records could threaten novel approach to broadband in rural Pennsylvania
Officials in the Southern Alleghenies created a nonprofit to avoid a state law that makes it hard for local governments to build their own broadband networks. Now it faces an existential test.
Pa. lawmaker wants more state control over millions in outside spending on federal elections
The push for more local control is likely to face an uphill battle with fellow legislators, as Pennsylvania has some of the laxest state campaign finance rules in the country.
Pennsylvania is sitting on billions in stimulus money. Lawmakers may actually agree on a plan to spend some of it.
With the June 30 deadline to pass a budget approaching, Republican lawmakers who had previously shunned additional spending seem to be warming to the idea.
Candidates of color say they need more party support, financial backing to be successful in Pa.
The party machines still reigned supreme in districts designed to give candidates of color the opportunity to win, results from Pennsylvania’s May 2022 primary showed.
Pennsylvania’s definition of broadband hasn’t changed in nearly 20 years
Pa. lawmakers passed up a chance to increase the speeds that qualify as broadband despite warnings that they would soon become obsolete.
An obscure state law could blunt the impact of up to $1 billion in federal funding for Pennsylvania’s broadband expansion
Federal officials want the money to benefit publicly-owned networks, but Pa. law gives phone companies a “virtual veto.”
Medical marijuana card company draws scrutiny for using unofficial Pa. doctor listing to attract patients
Doctors said the website highlights a larger problem: medical marijuana companies operate and advertise with impunity, while doctors are silenced.
Pennsylvania’s highest court could give cities the go-ahead to craft their own gun laws
Three distinct suits are being appealed to the state’s highest court, all arguing that cities and municipalities in Pennsylvania should be allowed to pass their own gun laws.
Gift ban, other good-government changes stall in Pa. despite promises from leadership
Good-government advocates argue that the legislature, swayed by donors and leadership, lacks the political will to rid itself of the perks of being in elected office.
High-profile GOP primary losses could make passing Pa.’s next budget painful
Capitol insiders believe the poor primary performances of Harrisburg’s top budget negotiators could inspire frustrated Republicans to revolt during budget season.