Pennsylvania election reform bill mandates voter ID but faces stern opposition
Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania are pushing their own version of sweeping election security bills that led to massive controversy in other states, but the legislation is unlikely to become law with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf staunchly opposed.
Gov. Wolf signs bill to extend pandemic regulatory waivers
The bill allows the waivers to last through Sept. 30, unless Wolf's administration ends them sooner.
Pennsylvania House votes to end governor's pandemic disaster declaration
Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives voted on party lines Tuesday to put an end to the governor’s pandemic disaster emergency declaration, less than a month after voters dramatically expanded lawmakers’ powers to control such declarations.
Bills to restrict abortion rights advanced in Pa.
Pennsylvania law allows abortions up to 24 weeks of pregnancy for any reason except to select a gender, with exceptions for rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.
Pennsylvania voters become first in U.S. to impose new limits on governor's powers
Pennsylvania voters became the first in the nation to impose restrictions on a governor's authority under an emergency disaster declaration after political feuds over shutdowns and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Polling places run out of ballots in Pennsylvania primary
York, Delaware and a few other counties ran short, but election officials said voters were able to use alternative means to cast their ballots on several proposed constitutional amendments, an open seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and other statewide and local races.
Pennsylvania primary: Fight over virus orders, high court seat lead Tuesday's ballot
Pennsylvania’s primary election will determine nominees for a seat in the state’s highest court, the extent of a governor’s authority during disaster declarations, and other contests including a hotly contested Democratic Primary for Philadelphia District Attorney.
First ballot test of governor’s pandemic powers starts in Pennsylvania
In the first vote of its kind since the coronavirus outbreak, voters statewide will decide twin constitutional amendments that would give lawmakers much more power over disaster declarations, to apply whether the emergency is another pandemic or natural disaster.
Pennsylvania lawmakers want kids to have option for extra year in school
Legislation that would give parents in Pennsylvania the option to have their children repeat a grade in school because of disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic is on its way to the state House of Representatives.
Army veteran Sean Parnell announces candidacy for Pennsylvania Senate seat
Sean Parnell, a decorated Army veteran whose regular guest on Fox News programs helped make him a favorite of former President Donald Trump, announced his candidacy Tuesday for the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Voter ID is a flashpoint in Pennsylvania election law discussions
Pennsylvania’s courts in 2014 struck down a GOP-penned law requiring a state-issued photo ID for voters, saying it imposed an unreasonable burden on the right to vote and that its backers failed to demonstrate the need for it.
Pa GOP: Wolf should fire vendor that mishandled virus data
GOP leaders called for state and federal probes into Insight Global's mishandling of data, and what they said was the slow response by the Wolf administration.
Pennsylvania Senate OKs bill to pause plans to toll bridges
The bill would require PennDOT to start the process over by providing more information about its proposals, publicly advertising them, taking public comment and seeking approval from both the governor and the Legislature.
Pennsylvania population lag costs state a US House seat, electoral vote
Pennsylvania will have one fewer electoral vote to offer candidates in the next election and one less representative in the U.S. House due to lagging population growth.
Bill to prevent retail shutdowns in disasters passes Pa House
The Pennsylvania state House gave divided approval to let many retail stores remain open during a declared state of disaster emergency, in a Republican-sponsored bill.
Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie Arkoosh announces run for U.S. Senate
Arkoosh is seeking the Democratic nomination to fill the open seat left by Senator Pat Toomey. This is widely considered Democrats’ best opportunity to pick up a U.S. Senate seat.
Barletta to decide soon on whether to run for Pennsylvania governor
Lou Barletta, the former congressman who unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in 2018, said Friday that he will make a decision in the next few weeks on whether to seek the Republican nomination for governor of Pennsylvania in 2022.
Pennsylvania lawmaker’s departure produces fourth May 18 special election
A special election to fill a western Pennsylvania state House seat that is vacant because of a lawmaker’s retirement will be held on May 18, the day of the state primary.
Pennsylvania Capitol building reopening to the public
The building will reopen March 22, the Department of General Services said.
Lawmaker calls for halt to PennDOT plan to toll nine bridges
The chairman of Pennsylvania's Senate Transportation Committee said he wants to halt plans to toll nine major bridges on interstates around the state.