A plan that cuts taxes in Pennsylvania by $13 billion over the next five years cleared the state Senate on Tuesday. The proposal repeals a 2004 personal income tax raise and eliminates the gross receipts tax charge on electricity bills. It also makes a $6 million annual recurring transfer to the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund and creates a $500 tax credit for volunteer paramedics. Republican leaders say the proposal eases inflationary pressure for wage earners, business owners and “anyone who pays an electricity bill,” while simultaneously reversing the downward economic spiral stemming from population loss. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_57aacf0c-0cc0-11ef-a13c-efdb73961de9.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

As Philadelphia and Pittsburgh see a drop in murders, public safety and crime remain high priorities across the state. To make communities safer, legislators want to figure out best practices for punishing crime and deploying policing. The House Judiciary Committee met on Wednesday and heard from testifiers that deterring crime comes down to the certainty of punishment, not the severity. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_b725af50-0d57-11ef-a3a7-0b8cad5c81c4.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

A plan for school vouchers in Pennsylvania emerged from hibernation on Tuesday. The legislation remains a top priority among Republican leaders in the Senate and a thorn in the side of Democratic leaders in the House. Between them, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro keeps one foot in each camp – billing himself as a supporter of school vouchers, and of the Senate’s plan, but not the ultimate closer on a legislative deal between the two chambers. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_d8e879b0-0cc6-11ef-adba-37618deee7c0.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

Pennsylvania's declining working age population foreshadows trouble ahead. Legislative Republicans, however, say they've developed a package of education bills to keep the state’s youth within its borders and boost the economy. The program, called GrowPA, was announced earlier this month as a way to deal with workforce shortages, high college costs and the struggle of lagging behind other states. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_8862ebbe-0646-11ef-a92c-3fa2c02b9a05.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has a new leader after its top official resigned due to moonlighting as a wellness coach — and engaging in a “business relationship” with several commission workers. Bryan Burhans, PGC executive director, stepped down on Monday after the Board of Game Commissioners raised concerns unrelated to his leadership capabilities.Foradora, who is also the board president, noted that they did not accuse Burhans of any ethical violations, but only questioned the “appropriateness of those business relationships.” Replacing Burhans is Pennsylvania native Stephen Smith, the commission’s deputy executive director since February. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_af8d9fd8-076b-11ef-bf15-237ee6e435a0.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

Legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania has held legislative attention in recent years, but some problems still pester users in the medical marijuana program. Some clarity may soon come for the legal tensions between Second Amendment rights and state-approved marijuana use. Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, is proposing Senate Bill 1146 to clarify that Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearm Act does not consider a medical marijuana cardholder as an unlawful user. Current law does not exempt medical users, which puts them in potential legal jeopardy. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_633d188c-01aa-11ef-a6f8-1f00ece6c487.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

Pennsylvania’s primary night lacked surprises as the presidential nominees were already locked in and few problems cropped up at the polls. Democrats cast their ballot for Joe Biden with 93% support and Republicans followed Donald Trump with 83% support according to early results. As the commonwealth prepares for a U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Bob Casey and Republican nominee Dave McCormick prepare for the general election after running unopposed in their primaries. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_e698a8be-01e0-11ef-a5b4-57d444cbed87.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

Philadelphia Democratic state Rep. Kevin Boyle remains unaccounted for on Wednesday, according to a statement from his family circulating on social media. Boyle’s brother, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle – who represents Pennsylvania’s second congressional district – said in a statement shared by multiple media outlets on X that Kevin lives with “a serious mental health condition” that became symptomatic several months ago after two years of recovery. Police issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday for Kevin Boyle after he allegedly violated a protection from abuse order against his wife. It was first issued in 2021 after Kevin experienced a psychotic episode. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_b0fff0dc-fd0c-11ee-b6b3-632db6bf5438.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

On the heels of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s green energy proposals for a state cap and trade program, House Democrats offered a dozen bills that couple economic growth with environmental protection. The legislative agenda includes 11 proposals focused on energy production, conservation, consumer energy costs, public transit funding, and efficiency standards for appliances, among other topics. Legislators of the 55-member Blue-Green Caucus argued the bills they’re introducing show that strong environmental policies can complement labor priorities. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_8b3a591a-fc07-11ee-91a1-3bd32ac0f131.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

Norfolk Southern reached a $600 million settlement in a class action lawsuit filed after a toxic train derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. The deal, announced Tuesday, resolves all claims within a 20-mile radius of the accident in East Palestine, Ohio, that unfolded in February 2023. It is pending federal court approval. The Center Square reached out to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office for comment but did not receive a response before this publication. Both the governor’s administration and President Joe Biden have been openly critical, however, of Norfolk Southern’s response to the derailment and accused the railroad of prioritizing profits over safety. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/ohio/article_58677b82-f674-11ee-852d-4f6493fcd463.html --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support