Capitol Beat
Health Care
Pennsylvania caregivers sound the alarm on a worsening workforce crisis
Potential cuts to Medicaid could further complicate an already dire situation.
Policy
Calls to increase SEPTA funding continue ahead of public hearings
Local electeds and transit advocates continue calls for consistent funding
Labor
Pennsylvania turns to AI to speed up hiring process
The commonwealth aims to bring the time it takes to hire a new employee down to under 50 days
Campaigns & Elections
Four for Friday: Harrisburg happenings
State lawmakers advanced bills to legalize recreational cannabis and fund private school scholarships to kick off the month of May.
Health Care
State lawmakers and health experts debate how to save PA hospitals
During a State Senate Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee hearing, panelists laid bare the challenges and offered solutions
Capitol Beat
Cannabis legalization bill advances in Pennsylvania House
Lawmakers on the House Health Committee voted 14-12 to advance the bill.
Capitol Beat
Winging it: How government agencies are fighting bird flu
COVID, quarantines, worst- and best-case scenarios: behind the scenes of Pennsylvania’s fight against avian flu and the next pandemic.
Capitol Beat
30 things we know about the arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence
More information is coming to light daily about the attack and suspect Cody Balmer.
General Assembly
‘AI is not the future; it is current’: Lawmakers examine how to make Pennsylvania an AI powerhouse
GOP lawmakers traveled to Pittsburgh for a hearing focused on all things artificial intelligence.
Capitol Beat
3 things to watch in the aftermath of arson attack on Shapiro, family
Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was arraigned Monday evening and is charged with attempted murder and setting fire to the governor’s residence.
News & Politics
Horror, relief and support: Social media reactions to arson attack on Gov. Shapiro and family
Social media condemnation of the arson attack that could have claimed the lives of Shapiro and his family was widespread and bipartisan, both across the commonwealth and the nation.
Capitol Beat
PA House passes bill creating criminal offense for tracking device-based stalking
The legislation heads to the Senate after passing with a 201-2 vote.
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Capitol Beat
Experts: PA’s permitting reforms could serve as efficiency model nationwide
Efforts to expedite efficiently offer a blueprint for other states looking to streamline operations and improve service delivery, according to a fellow at the Institute for Responsive Government.
Campaigns & Elections
GOP appeals federal judge’s mail-in ballot decision
A federal judge ruled this week that Pennsylvania’s date requirement for mail ballots ‘does not pass constitutional muster.’
Politics
Democrats pick up state Senate seat as they win 2 special elections in PA
Pennsylvania Democrats flipped a state Senate seat and retained their state House majority.
Policy
‘We’re fighting back’: PA House Dems celebrate passage of Affordable Care Act protections
The bipartisan votes now put the onus on state Senate Republicans to advance the four bills and send them to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.
Technology
Shapiro says AI has ‘real promise’ as he unveils pilot program results
The governor said the state will be providing more employees with AI training and tools.
Capitol Beat
Bipartisan paid family leave bill advances in Pennsylvania House
The legislation, known as the Family Care Act, would provide eligible residents with between 12 and 20 weeks of paid leave.
Transportation
Ride along: State reps tour SEPTA amid budget talks
SEPTA’s financial needs are front-and-center ahead of 2026 events
Capitol Beat
4 takeaways from Pennsylvania’s latest bird flu briefing
Experts said the threat from avian flu is unlikely to dissipate in the near future.
