Journalists Roundtable: June 6, 2019

The General Assembly has four weeks to pass a balanced budget, and discuss legislation before a 10-week summer break. Besides the budget, these issues were hot this week: minimum wage; Election Code updates and voting machine upgrades; infrastructure funding, including rural broadband access, and regulation of games of skill.  This week’s guests are: John Finnerty, […]

Journalists Roundtable: May 23, 2019

Pennsylvania’s primary election was held on Tuesday, May 21. Democrats and Republicans chose two of three candidates running for two open judicial seats on Superior Court, a statewide intermediate appellate court. The four winners will face off in November. Four special elections for Congress, state Senate and state House were won by Republicans. The 12th […]

Journalists Roundtable: May 16, 2019

A bill banning abortions after a Down’s syndrome diagnosis passed the House after a long debate this week. A gun rights rally was held recently in the wake of Pittsburgh passing a gun ordinance that is stricter than state law. Will infrastructure funding or education improvement tax credits be part of the budget negotiations? Attorney […]

Journalists Roundtable: May 16, 2019

We’re about six weeks from the budget deadline, with revenue collections ahead of estimates by $828 million, enticing Republicans to call for deposits in the state’s Rainy Day Fund. A bill banning abortions after a Down’s syndrome diagnosis passed the House after a long debate this week. Viral comments posted on social media by House […]

Journalists Roundtable: May 9, 2019

Journalists Roundtable comes to you from Philadelphia This week to discuss the mayoral primary which features a first-term candidate against two prominent city politicians in the Democratic Primary. Other issues discussed included the Philadelphia sugary beverages tax, the tax abatement program and funding for Philadelphia schools. This week’s guests are: Denise Clay, a political columnist […]

Journalists Roundtable May 2, 2019

Nuclear power and alternative energy and their role in the climate change debate are still hot topics as a third hearing was held on the issue as a deadline for consideration of a bill to include nuclear plants in the Alternative Energy Portfolios Standards Act is nearing. A press conference on a bill that would […]

Journalists Roundtable: April 17, 2019

The House was in session the week and passed several bills addressing child sexual abuse. These bills were among recommendations stemming from the grand jury investigation of clerical abuse of children by Catholic priests. A number of press conferences were held that call for enactment of legislation. The PA Legislative Black Caucus held one to […]

Journalists Roundtable: April 11, 2019

The House and Senate were is session the week, which was highlighted by legislation removing the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution and civil suits by childhood sexual abuse victims. Several articles about model legislation – bills written by special interests and lobbyists, and shared with legislators nationwide –  came out after USA Today published a story about this process and prominently mentioned a Pennsylvania legislator. Also discussed was the Antwon Rose verdict. This involved a young black man shot in the back by a white police officer who was acquitted of charges. This week’s guests are: Liz Navratil, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Angela Couloumbis, Philadelphia Inquirer; and John Finnerty, with Community Newspaper Holdings Our host is Brian Lockman.

Journalists Roundtable: April 4, 2019

A special election in a state Senate seat based in Allegheny and Washington counties was won by Democrat Pam Iovino, the 13th female member of the 50-member state Senate. This represents the third time the 37th Senate seat has changed parties since 2012. A state senator has introduced his version of a bill adding nuclear energy to the list of alternative energy sources, which could affect Exelon Energy’s decision to close Three Mile Island in June. Pennsylvania counties are being asked to buy new voting machines, but how will those be paid for? Finally, the House Clerk has closed the ‘lobbyist room’ behind the House chamber in part due to the optics of allowing lobbyists special access. This week’s guests are: Elizabeth Hardison, reporter with Pennsylvania Capital-Star; Marc Levy with the Associated Press; and Chris Comisac, Bureau Chief with Capitolwire. Our host is Brian Lockman.

Journalists Roundtable: March 28, 2019

The House and Senate were in session this week, which started out with an opening prayer by freshman Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Centre/Clinton) that went viral, as it occurred on the same day the House swore in its first Muslim member. The House was sued last year for not inviting nontheists to give the invocation to […]