Pennsylvania Senate votes to expand ban on using cell phones while driving

Pennsylvania’s state Senate wants to expand a ban on texting while driving and is advancing legislation that increases the penalties for motorists who are handling their cell phones for almost any activity while driving.

Pennsylvania House passes $15 minimum wage bill

Pennsylvania’s Democratic-controlled House of Representatives approved a measure that would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2026 in a close vote Tuesday, a long-held party campaign plank that has run up against Republican legislative majorities for years.

Pennsylvania lawmakers eye liberalization of medical marijuana rules

Pennsylvania state senators are advancing legislation that would liberalize the state’s 5-year-old medical marijuana program. It would expand the scope of who can buy medical marijuana and allow it to be sold in edible form.

Pennsylvania House approves bill to expand property tax, rent subsidy for seniors, disabled

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday overwhelmingly approved a bill to increase the state’s property tax and rent subsidy for seniors and people with disabilities, plus raise the income eligibility cap to expand the program.

Growing budget fight in divided Legislature could test Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor

Pennsylvania lawmakers are back in session, as House Democrats are advancing a spending plan that could test Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro's ability to manage a politically divided Legislature in his freshman year.

Pennsylvania high court to consider plan to make power plants pay for greenhouse gas emissions

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court will take its first crack at whether a governor can force power plant owners to pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, or whether he first needed approval from a Legislature that opposed the plan.

Democrats advance gun-control bills in Pennsylvania House

Authorities could temporarily seize firearms and background checks would be expanded for gun buyers, under two bills passed Monday in the Pennsylvania House, where Democrats are using their razor-thin majority to push gun-control measures after a yearslong standstill in the politically divided government.

'We did it': Cherelle Parker gives first speech after securing Democratic nomination for Philly mayor

Cherelle Parker, the Democratic nominee in the race for Philadelphia mayor, held her first press conference Monday, nearly a week after a health issue prevented her from speaking on election night. 

Fetterman tackles Senate life in hoodies and gym shorts after depression treatment

Before Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman checked himself in to a hospital for clinical depression in February, he used to walk the halls of the Senate stone-faced and dressed in formal suits.

Chester mayoral candidate strives to turn around beleaguered city

The City of Chester, a beleaguered suburb of Philadelphia, will have a new mayor in January after a member of city council ousted their longtime mayor. 

Philadelphia's likely next mayor could offer model for how Democrats talk about crime

The Democrat who will almost certainly become Philadelphia’s next mayor wants to hire hundreds of additional police officers and says officers should be able to stop and search pedestrians if they have a legitimate reason to do so.

Cherelle Parker wins Democratic primary for Philadelphia mayor

Cherelle Parker, a Democrat with a long political history in Pennsylvania, won Philadelphia’s mayoral primary on Tuesday, likely setting her up as the city’s 100th mayor and the first woman to serve in the role.

Democrat McCaffery, Republican Carluccio win primaries for Pennsylvania Supreme Court seat

Democrat Dan McCaffery and Republican Carolyn Carluccio won their parties’ primaries for a vacant seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday, setting up a fall contest to join a high court that is at the center of cases on guns, abortion and elections in a presidential battleground state.

Pa. Primary Election: Residents cast votes for Philadelphia mayor, 2 state house seats

Tuesday is the Primary Election in Pennsylvania, where residents will cast their votes in various races, including in the race for Philadelphia’s 100th mayor and a special election that will determine party control over the State House.

Democrats keep Pennsylvania House majority, positioning party to prevent limits on abortion rights

Democrats will maintain their narrow Pennsylvania House majority after winning a special election in the Philadelphia suburbs. Tuesday’s win will also help them control how the chamber will handle abortion, gun rights and election law legislation.