Category Archives: Senate

Philly Expands LGBT Rights, PA House/Senate Might

Posted on May 20, 2013 by | 1 Comment |

The struggle for equal human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Pennsylvania has seen significant developments this month. In the Pennsylvania Legislature, a bill has been introduced that would outlaw many forms of discrimination against LGBT people … More after the jump →

Posted in Civil Rights, House of Representatives, LGBT / Gay Rights, Philadelphia and suburbs, Senate, State Government

New Government Reform Caucus in PA & What They Miss – PA Headlines 2/4 Counterpoint PA 5/1-2/2013 (with transcript)

Posted on May 1, 2013 by | 1 Comment |

State Senator Rob Teplitz, a Democrat representing Dauphin and York counties, and State Representative Bryan Cutler, a Republican representing Lancaster county, have announced the formation of a new Government Reform Caucus in the Pennsylvania Legislature. The Government Reform Caucus has … More after the jump →

Posted in Campaign Finance and the Influence Game, Corruption, House of Representatives, Open Government, Senate, State Government

Democrats Join Republicans in Pennsylvania War on “Welfare”

Posted on April 17, 2013 by | 3 Comments |

It doesn’t greatly disappoint me that there are Republicans in the PA Legislature who hate the idea of “welfare” so much that they want to take away millions of dollars that were supposed to go to helping people in need … More after the jump →

Posted in Budget/Taxes/Spending, Health, House of Representatives, Senate, Social Services, State Government

Union Fights Corbett Administration Decision to Close Nearly Half of Pennsylvania’s Health Centers

Posted on April 9, 2013 by | 2 Comments |

There are currently 60 health care centers across Pennsylvania where people who have illnesses or injuries but don’t have the money for treatment can go for care. The Corbett administration is now planning to close nearly half of them before … More after the jump →

Posted in Budget/Taxes/Spending, Governor Corbett, Health, House of Representatives, Judiciary, Labor and Unions, Senate, Social Services, State Government

Catching up with the World: A Universal Health Care System for Pennsylvania

Posted on April 4, 2013 by | 1 Comment |

A bill that would provide universal health care coverage for all Pennsylvanians is being considered in the PA Legislature, and a new study about the plan says it would be just as healthy for the commonwealth’s economy as its citizens. … More after the jump →

Posted in Budget/Taxes/Spending, Business, Health, House of Representatives, Miscellany, Senate, Social Services, State Government, The Economy Tagged , , , ,

Election Surprises Brewing in Central PA?

Posted on October 24, 2012 by | 3 Comments |

It’s probably been decades since Democrats held any of the 20-plus state House seats in south central PA other than the 3 that are based in the cities of Harrisburg, Lancaster and York. (One exception that I know of: Jeff … More after the jump →

Posted in Elections, Harrisburg / South Central, House of Representatives, Regional News, Senate, State Government Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Voter ID Bill: House Bill 934 Action Alert

Posted on March 6, 2012 by | 1 Comment |

House Bill 934, the Pennsylvania voter suppression legislation, will be voted on the Pennsylvania Senate TOMORROW, and it will affect over 691,000 voters in our state. It will disenfranchise thousands of senior citizens, disabled, working poor, and students. Anyone without … More after the jump →

Posted in Elections, Open Government, Senate, State Government Tagged

Liquor Privatization Compromise Legislation

Posted on February 16, 2012 by | 4 Comments |

The Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee has proposed legislation that looks to be a compromise gesture between ardent privateers a la House Majority Leader Mike Turzai and advocates for the PLCB.  Because legislation aimed at privatizing the PLCB has … More after the jump →

Posted in Budget/Taxes/Spending, Business, Governor Corbett, House of Representatives, Labor and Unions, Senate, State Government

GOP State Senator Stewart Greenleaf Wins Big in New Hampshire Presidential Primary

Posted on January 11, 2012 by | 2 Comments |

Forget Rick Santorum, fellow Pennsylvanians, because he’s not the only PA politician who received votes in the New Hampshire Presidential Primary.  No longer will our fellow Americans identify our Commonwealth solely with the political embarrassment that is Rick Santorum.  That’s … More after the jump →

Posted in Elections, National Politics, Senate

PA House and Senate form LGBT Equality Caucus in Partnership with Equality PA

Posted on December 19, 2011 by | 3 Comments |

Great news from our friends at Equality PA: For the first time, members of the state House and Senate have formed an LGBT Equality Caucus. The idea to create a caucus was suggested to a number of members early in … More after the jump →

Posted in Civil Rights, House of Representatives, LGBT / Gay Rights, Senate, State Government