(The Center Square) – One member down, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives struck an, at times, somber yet congenial bipartisan tone as they opened the 209th legislative session. Rep. Matt Gergley, D-McKeesport, remains hospitalized in Allegheny County following a medical emergency he suffered over the holiday, leaving the chamber evenly […]
Report: Homelessness continues to rise in Pennsylvania
(The Center Square) – Homelessness in Pennsylvania rose 12.2 percent over the past year, according to this year’s Annual Homelessness Assessment Report published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The report counted 14,088 individuals, or 11 per 10,000 people, who experienced homelessness in the state throughout 2024, […]
Report: Pennsylvania worst state for litigation bloat
(The Center Square) – The American Tort Reform Foundation has labeled Pennsylvania as the nation’s worst “Judicial Hellhole” in a new report. “Lawsuit abuse in the City of Brotherly Love has reached a fever pitch with nuclear verdicts,” claims the foundation, suggesting that “eye-popping nine-figure damage awards were issued without […]
State tests show students still struggling with learning loss
(The Center Square) – Test results from last year’s PSSA and Keystone tests, two measures of academic performance across the state, show modest improvement in most areas, but the schools have miles to go to make up for the steep learning loss suffered during the pandemic. Numbers released by the Department […]
GOP worker protection bills withering on the vine, for now
(The Center Square) – A Republican-backed slate of bills focused on workplace discrimination protections in Pennsylvania will likely expire this year without action. Even though the legislative session ends Nov. 30, lawmakers could reintroduce the bills again in January. Of the package, House Labor and Industry Committee Minority Chairman Ryan […]
Casino lawsuit seeks skill game tax parity
(The Center Square) – Twelve casinos filed a lawsuit last week demanding that unregulated skill game operators pay the same 54 percent tax rate applied to slot machines. While the industry claims this would make the levy constitutionally fair, critics argue it’s another tactic meant to squash their competition. The […]