News & Politics

Policy

Is Pennsylvania any closer to having legal weed?

The commonwealth continues to lag behind its neighbors in cashing in on legalized recreational marijuana.

News & Politics

Politics

Worried about a recession, Joe Pittman says PA must be ‘judicious’ with the next state budget

The state Senate majority leader also acknowledged areas of common ground for Republicans and Gov. Josh Shapiro.

News & Politics

Politics

PA firefighters urge Shapiro to remove PFAS chemicals from their gear

Shapiro visited Blair County this week to promote his budget’s proposed investments in first responders.

Health Care

Policy

Nurses needed now: Solutions to a long-running staffing crisis have been hard to come by.

Hospitals and nursing homes hope turnover in Harrisburg means change for the struggling industry.

Education

Policy

Pennsylvania joins several other states in pushing for universal free breakfasts for kids

Lawmakers nationwide are passing bills that would make free school meals permanent following the end of a federal pandemic-era program.

News & Politics

Politics

5 takeaways from Josh Shapiro’s first budget address

Shapiro outlined a $44 billion budget that includes funding increases for education, policing.

Budget

Policy

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget by the numbers

The governor delivered his first budget address to the state Legislature Tuesday, proposing a $44.4 billion spending plan.

Education

Politics

Public school advocates warn lawmakers: ‘Don’t stall;’ fix the broken system now

Following the major court ruling regarding the state’s school funding system, lawmakers have some complicated equations to solve.

Budget

Policy

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s final budget by the numbers

Kenney delivered his final budget address Thursday, offering a $6.1 billion proposal.

U.S. Congress

Policy

Mayors fret over the possibility of ARPA fund clawbacks

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti said the city is using ARPA money to help certain businesses raise workers’ pay.

U.S. Congress

Policy

Congress rolls out $1.7 trillion spending deal in race to Friday deadline

House Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, want Senate Republicans to block the spending bill.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

‘A one-stop shop for home repairs:’ Nikil Saval talks up Dems’ $125M new program

Saval’s Whole-Home Repairs Program was included in this year’s state budget.

News & Politics

Politics

Mastriano’s education funding plan would devastate PA’s public schools, advocates say

‘We would have to be insane to support what (Mastriano) is offering’ said Ed Albert of the PA Association of Rural and Small Schools.

Policy

Policy

The fight to put some teeth back into dog laws: A City & State investigation

Why dog licenses are key to keeping Pennsylvania’s pups – and people – safe.

Budget

Policy

State lawmakers praised this year’s budget as historic. Here’s what’s in it.

This year’s state budget includes more cash for education, a business tax cut and some changes to the state’s election laws.

Budget

Policy

The new state budget brings changes to Pennsylvania’s election laws

For one thing, counties will no longer be able to accept third-party grants to fund elections.

Environment

Policy

State budget will give environmental efforts a funding boost, advocates, lawmakers say

The spending plan the General Assembly approved last week includes $220 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to establish a clean streams fund.

Budget

Policy

Senate lawmakers approve ‘historic’ state budget, raft of constitutional amendments

The measures were approved after extensive debate in the legislature’s upper chamber.

Budget

Policy

House lawmakers approve $45.2 billion state budget proposal

Still waiting on the Senate, but House leadership called the plan a responsible one that ‘takes care of people.’

Budget

Politics

This week’s headlines: Budget talks continue as lawmakers focus on school curricula

A roundup of the week’s political news with no shortage of surprises during budget season.