Harrisburg

Capitol Beat

Kim Ward becomes first woman to be appointed president pro tempore of the state Senate

The Westmoreland County Republican will succeed Jake Corman after spending the past two years as the Senate’s first female majority leader.

Campaigns & Elections

Fetterman and Oz face off in their first and only debate of U.S. Senate campaign

The candidates traded attacks and outlined their stances on abortion, crime and a host of other issues.

Budget

It’s budget season in Pennsylvania. Here are five things to watch for.

Lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf have until midnight on June 30 to pass the 2022-23 state budget

Capitol Beat

‘A declaration of war’: GOP lawmakers eviscerate PennDOT’s bridge tolling plan

Lawmakers and business leaders called on the Wolf administration to end the plan

General Assembly

Free-market think tank calls for expanded school choice policies and tax reforms

The Commonwealth Foundation has unveiled a 23-point legislative agenda for 2023

Events

Here are snapshots from the Pennsylvania Power 100 event

Heavy hitters from Philly to Erie packed King Mansion in Harrisburg last week

News & Politics

Despite bipartisan support, it’s unclear what’s holding up the Fairness Act in Harrisburg

As many are celebrating Pride month, LGBTQ Pennsylvanians are continuing the fight for protections from discrimination.

Harrisburg

Exit Interviews Part 2: Tom Wolf, The Backstop

Wolf’s veto pen has often been the only thing stopping bills passed by the GOP-controlled state legislature.

Abortion

Here’s how some are bracing for a post-Roe Pennsylvania

Stark choices await both sides if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark abortion rights decision.

Satire/Odd News

Should the Hershey Kiss be Pennsylvania’s official state candy?

Policymakers are set to debate this dense subject at City & State’s 2022 Pennsylvania Power 100 event

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Campaigns & Elections

PA elections chief outlines issues experienced at polling places on primary day

Acting Secretary of State Leigh Chapman said the state’s elections were “successful with minimal issues”

Lou Barletta

Jake Corman drops out of governor’s race, endorses Lou Barletta

Corman’s exit comes as Republicans worry about state Sen. Doug Mastriano’s electability in the fall

Campaigns & Elections

GOP Sen. Cris Dush calls on state to disavow ballot drop box use

The request comes one week prior to the primaries.

Reproductive Rights

SCOTUS opinion could put the General Assembly in the driver’s seat on abortion rights

But legislative leaders appear reluctant to act based on the draft opinion.

Campaigns & Elections

A Q&A with Republican lieutenant governor candidate Clarice Schillinger

Schillinger plans to use her political background to push reforms as lieutenant governor

Capitol Beat

Wolf, lawmakers call for action on stalled gun law reforms

Republicans say some prosecutors in the state are failing to enforce current laws

Education

The learning curveball: Officials at PASSHE have embarked on a groundbreaking – and fraught – quest to redesign the system.

The State System is hoping lawmakers will approve a historic funding request for the university system this year