PA Farm Bill

Senate Agriculture chairs Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) and Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) will analyze the state of farming in Pennsylvania and what steps the legislature can take to ensure that Pennsylvania farmers continue their pivotal role in the state’s economy. Organic farming, spotter lanternfly, the PA Preferred program and community supported agriculture (CSAs) were all […]

House Agenda

Both the House and Senate were in session this week, and a budget bill has been introduced as revenue numbers for April showed a significant surplus over estimates. Rep. Pam DeLissio (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) discuss their legislative priorities and the House agenda.

House Agenda

The House and Senate are in session for three days this week with about two months to go until the end of the fiscal year when the state budget is due. The House has a package of regulatory and permit legislation on its calendar for consideration, and another hearing on the nuclear power industry’s planned […]

Criminal Justice

The co-chairs of the PA Senate Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, Sen. Camera Bartolotta and Sen. Art Haywood, join us to talk about proposed changes to probation rules, preparing former incarcerated persons to enter the workforce, and the possibility of offering medical parole for older inmates with medical issues.

Legislative Agenda

Both the House and Senate were in session this week with numerous hearings and bills being voted on. A press conference on legislation requiring solar energy to comprise 20% of the state’s energy production was held. This was in addition to the hearing Monday on the legislation that could stop the closure of nuclear power […]

Lyme Disease

Pennsylvania has the highest number of Lyme disease diagnoses in the nation. Legislation has been introduced to ensure insurance coverage for those suffering from the effects of Lyme disease. Ticks are especially active in the springtime. Everyone who spends time outdoors is at risk of tick exposure and should take precautions, including wearing light-colored clothing […]

Water Quality

Some city water systems in Pennsylvania are contending with lead in the water, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a non-stick chemicals used in a variety of products, are being found more frequently in drinking water, enough that the Environmental Protection agency is considering setting a legal safety limit for some PFAS.

House Agenda

House Democratic Policy Committee Chair, Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) and Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) join us to talk about a package of crime victims’ rights bills, career and technical education proposals, the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse, the possibility of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant shutting down, and a newly released grand […]

Nuclear Power and Alternative Energy

The House Consumer Affairs Committee held its second hearing on Monday on a bill that would add nuclear power to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act. Exelon and First Energy, owners of two of Pennsylvania’s five nuclear reactors, have said the plants at Three Mile Island and Beaver Valley will shut down unless the bill […]