By: Darren McKenzie, Staff Writer Photo courtesy of pixabay.com In February, Governor Josh Shapiro gave his second budget proposal as Governor, unveiling a $48.3 billion spending plan that dedicates a large increase in funding to K-12 and higher education across the state for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.[1]This proposal, a notable 9% increase […]
Post Tagged with: "pennsylvania"
The Growing “Green” Amendment Movement
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com By Jenna Anderson, Staff Writer Did you know you have a right to clean air and water, and a healthy environment?[1] These rights are guaranteed in Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution. Pennsylvania’s environmental amendment is the oldest and most robust in the nation. […]
Local Builders Organization Expands Challenge to Pittsburgh’s Inclusionary Zoning Policy
By Hannah Dean, Juris Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Tyler Rutherford on Unsplash The Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (BAMP) recently filed an amended complaint challenging the expansion of Pittsburgh’s inclusionary zoning policy into a specific section of the Oakland neighborhood.[1] BAMP filed the original complaint against the City of […]
The PA Presidential Primary Dispute
By Drew Crusciel, Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com The General Pennsylvania Presidential primary must take place on the fourth Tuesday of April, according to the Pennsylvania Election Code.[1] So what happens when that date falls on a holiday? That is the problem that Pennsylvania’s Congress is currently grappling with, as […]
Post-Coal America and Zoning Law: Taking a Closer Look at Springdale, Pennsylvania
By Simon Jaronski, Staff Writer Photo Courtesy of Pixabay In April 2022, the Cheswick Generating Station permanently shut down operations.[1] It was the last coal-fired power plant operating in Allegheny County.[2] The former plant, which is technically located in Springdale Borough – less than 20 miles from Pittsburgh – will leave behind […]
Pennsylvania Adopts Automatic Voter Registration
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com By Emily Migdal, Staff Writer On September 19th, 2023, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced that he was implementing automatic voter registration in the commonwealth.[1] Under this policy, Pennsylvania residents will automatically be registered to vote when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or state ID, streamlining […]
State and Federal Bodies Address the Teacher Shortage
By Jacob Schramm, Feature Editor Photo courtesy of unsplash.com Celebrities, athletes, scientists, and politicians, including former President Barack Obama, have commented on the impact that teachers have made on their lives.[1] Bill Gates credited his fourth-grade English teacher with stoking his passion for learning at a pivotal time in his life, […]
PWFA Gives Birth to Extended Workplace Protections for Pregnant Workers
by Casey Seaman, Staff Writer Photo courtesy of unsplash.com Women account for nearly 60 percent of the workforce, most of whom work during their pregnancies.[1] For years, pregnant workers, especially women in low wage and physically demanding jobs, were punished for being pregnant.[2] Employers routinely denied pregnant workers temporary job accommodations needed […]
Pennsylvania State Representative Introduces Bill for Wrongful Conviction Compensation
Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com by Chloe Clifford, Staff Writer Individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and proven to be innocent through post-conviction DNA testing spend, on average, over 14 years incarcerated.[1] For many who are wrongfully convicted, their nightmare does not end when they are proven innocent and released from prison.[2] Unlike […]
Pennsylvania Court Deems Education Funding System Unconstitutional
By Mia Hoetzlein-Sirman, Staff Writer On February 7, 2023, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania returned a monumental decision on an ongoing school funding lawsuit almost a year after the trial ended. The court determined that the funding mechanisms for Pennsylvania’s public schools are unconstitutional and must be remedied immediately. This […]