Articles written by Christen Smith
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A Review of the Laws Pennsylvania Enacted In 2020
Despite a series of vetoes from Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf this year in his tug-of-war with Republicans to control pandemic mitigation efforts, the General Assembly managed to pass some laws, too. A review of the laws passed in Pa. in 2020 follows. Takeout...
Pa. looks to accelerate vaccination plan in 2021
Officials in Pennsylvania said Jan. 4 approximately 135,000 residents have been vaccinated since mid-December, falling far short of expectations set by the federal government. Nationally, about 2 million doses have been administered out of more than...
Pandemic Lockdown Closed 30 Percent of Pennsylvania Businesses, Second Most In Nation
Federal data shows pandemic restrictions forced three in 10 businesses statewide to close, at least temporarily, ranking Pennsylvania second only to Michigan in terms of economic lockdown impacts. Sti...
Restaurants In Pa. Find Creative Ways To Survive Amid Pandemic Restrictions
It’s been two weeks since Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf banned indoor dining and alcohol sales at restaurants statewide amid an alarming spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations. And for many owners, abiding by the rules – devastating as they may be – remains a...
Pennsylvania's Population Stagnates As Reapportionment Nears
Pennsylvania netted just 83,000 more residents over the last decade as growth in the state stagnates compared to the southern and western regions of the country. Only 500,000 more Americans live in...
Republican Senators Denounce 'False Hope' of Pa. Legislative Election Reversal
Two Lancaster County Republican senators said Dec. 4 that a campaign from fellow GOP colleagues to change the state’s electors in support of the president gives “false hope” that the Legislature can overturn the results. State Sens. Ryan...
Pa. GOP Won't Overrule Popular Vote for Joe Biden, If Certified
Republican leaders in the General Assembly confirmed Friday, Nov. 6, that a certified popular vote victory for former Vice President Joe Biden for the presidency will stand, despite rumors to the contrary still circulating on social media. Pa....
Pennsylvania Elected Officials Agree To Yearlong Pay Freeze Amid Pandemic
Pennsylvania state government officials delayed their annual pay raise last week in the face of a pandemic-induced revenue shortfall. Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf signed House Bill 2487 on Friday that freezes pay for himself, cabinet officials, legislators and...
Proposed Laws Regarding Solar Power Could Help Dairy Farmers
Proposed legislation enabling electricity credits for community solar panels may just benefit Pennsylvania’s struggling farmers the most. At least, so say the clean energy groups testifying in favor of Pa. House Bill 531 the first week of...
Pa. Supreme Court Bars Trump Campaign From Election Lawsuit
The state’s highest court said neither the president’s reelection campaign – nor the national Republican National Committee – can intervene in a state lawsuit brought against election officials. The split decision comes six weeks after Pa. Se...
Governor Signals Hope for June NASCAR Race at Pocono
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf said a NASCAR event planned for the Pocono Raceway next month can proceed if the county progresses to the yellow stage of his phased economic reopening plan. “If Monroe County goes to yellow before that race happens and NASCAR,...
Pennsylvania's Top Health Official Warns Against GOP Push to Reopen Businesses
Pennsylvania’s top health official warned lawmakers against legislation that would reopen some of the state’s businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine wrote a letter to the General Assembly discouraging...
Pennsylvania food secure, still panic buying persists
As Pennsylvania braces for another month of social distancing, state officials pleaded with residents to stop panic buying and supply hoarding. There’s more than enough for everyone, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding says, and there will... Full story
Pa. Delays Primary Election Until June 2
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously agreed Tuesday, March 24, on a plan delaying the state’s primary election until June 2 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Senate Bill 422 heads back to the upper chamber for a concurrence vote... Full story
Pa. Reconsiders Closing Liquor Stores
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Sunday night, March 22, that he’s reconsidering his order to shutter liquor stores as part of the state’s coronavirus mitigation effort. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board closed 600 wine and spirits stores... Full story
State Officials Aim To Quell Election Day Concerns Ahead Of Pa. Primary
Pennsylvania State Department officials assured lawmakers that errors and delays will not plague the upcoming April 28 primary, despite the ongoing implementation of sweeping voting reforms enacted last year. “We will be ready,” Secretary of Stat...
Pa.'s Medical Marijuana Program Shortages To Subside
Pennsylvania’s two-year-old medical marijuana program serves 160,000 active patients and, sometimes, keeping products in stock proves challenging. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine says, however, this problem will soon resolve itself. “I...
Lawmakers Grill Pa. State Police Over Municipality Service Fee
House lawmakers grilled the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) on Feb. 20 over the governor’s proposal to raise $136 million for the agency via municipality service fees that some see as akin to a tax increase. “We were told this is a...