Pennsylvania Politics & News
The Daily Signal covers Pennsylvania politics with comprehensive reporting on state elections, voting laws, energy regulation, and the Keystone State’s critical role in presidential politics.
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- News
GOP Raises Concern About Voting Practices in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Republican Party has raised concerns over voting practices in the battleground state. “New picture from the field: an official ballot box being taken away by an unidentified civilian. What’s going on here?” Philly GOP tweeted Tuesday. Only two hours before polls closed, the Philly GOP account tweeted, “Unidentified civilians moving ballot boxes, Unlicensed poll…Virginia Allen -
- News
Military Mail-In Ballots Cast for Trump Discarded in Pennsylvania, Federal Investigation Finds
Nine military mail-in ballots cast for President Donald Trump were discarded at a local Pennsylvania board of elections office, a federal investigation concluded. The FBI and Pennsylvania State Police began an investigation Monday at the request of Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis, U.S. Attorney David Freed said in a statement. Salavantis requested federal assistance following reports of…Thomas Catenacci -
- Opinion
In COVID-19 Restrictions Ruling, Judge Holds Pennsylvania Governor to the Constitution
A federal district court judge ruled last week that several of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 restrictions were unconstitutional—and for good reason. Judge William Stickman IV’s development of the factual record, and his journeyman approach to the opinion, is a model for other judges to follow. >>> What’s the best way for America to reopen and return to…Cully Stimson -
- News
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Resist Governor’s Executive Actions on Climate Change
If Pennsylvania joins a multistate agreement that restricts carbon dioxide emissions, the commonwealth could jeopardize its position as an energy producer and exporter without achieving discernible environmental benefits, according to elected officials who are resisting executive actions to address climate change. The state Senate on Wednesday passed legislation to prohibit Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat,…Kevin Mooney -
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School Choice Could Put Pennsylvania ‘Back on Track’
Some Pennsylvania homes suddenly are getting a little crowded with young students who are drawing from the same internet connection. That’s one reason why Najimah Roberson, a Harrisburg parent with three children pursuing online learning, is keen on the idea of getting some of her tax dollars back in the form of scholarship funds that…Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
Pennsylvania Governor’s 11th-Hour Ballot Deadline Change Spurs Election Chaos
The protests and unrest in response to the tragic death of George Floyd, an African American man who died in police custody last week, and the COVID-19 public health crisis have greatly complicated the work of election officials attempting to conduct honest and fair voting. If that were not enough, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf unilaterally…Tom Spencer -
- Opinion
In Pennsylvania, a War on Charter Schools
Charles Mitchell, who leads the Commonwealth Foundation in Pennsylvania, is worried about children’s access to charter schools in the Keystone State. “Our governor has declared war on opportunity for Pennsylvania families,” Mitchell says, referring to Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat. “He’s issued 11 executive orders, the plain intent of which is to put the kibosh…Daniel Davis -
- Opinion
1 Year After Union Ruling, Pennsylvania Law Still Allows for Unconstitutional Fees
One year ago, the Supreme Court ruled that public-sector employees like me, who are not union members, don’t have to pay union fees in order to be employed. That ruling is already benefiting me and countless others. But unfortunately, Pennsylvania law hasn’t caught up with the times. For decades, teacher contracts often required even non-union…Greg Hartnett -
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Pennsylvania Democrat Brian Sims Slammed for Non-Apology After Harassing Pro-Lifers
Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims, who went viral for recording himself accosting pro-lifers praying outside a Planned Parenthood clinic, sparked backlash after posting a video addressing the controversy in which he again attacked pro-lifers. Sims revealed in a video he posted Tuesday to Twitter that he has “spent the last seven years serving as…Peter Hasson -
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Pennsylvania Democrat Offers Reward for Identifying Pro-Life Teens in His Video
Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims filmed himself hassling and wanting to dox several teens who were praying outside an abortion clinic in April before repeating this behavior in early May. Sims filmed himself in front of a southeastern Pennsylvania Planned Parenthood in a live Facebook video posted three weeks ago. The Pennsylvania state representative…Mary Margaret Olohan -
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Pennsylvania High School Students Demand Repeal of Campus ‘Bible Ban’
Students at Cumberland County High School are fighting against what they say is the local Pennsylvania school district’s unconstitutional ban on distributing Bibles on campus. The students allege that David Harris, the high school’s principal, told members of the Christians in Action student club that they were not allowed to pass out Bibles to their friends during…Joshua Gill -
- News
Gov. Tom Wolf Commits Pennsylvania to Climate Goals in Line With Paris Agreement
When then-candidate Donald Trump surprised many observers by winning Pennsylvania in the 2016 election, some ascribed the victory to his relentless campaigning in support of the state’s traditional energy sector, particularly coal and natural gas. In that campaign and his later decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, many saw the president…Dave Lemery -
- News
Trump Traveling to Pennsylvania, as White House Fends Off Media Blame
President Donald Trump will meet Tuesday in Pennsylvania with family members of those murdered during the weekend massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced. “The American people reject hatred, bigotry, prejudice, and violence,” Sanders said. “We are a nation that believes in religious liberty, tolerance, and respect. We are…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Pennsylvania Agency Goes Around Legislature to Impose Gender Ideology
A Pennsylvania agency has made an end run around citizens to impose gender ideology. Last month, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission released new guidance reinterpreting the category of “sex” in state anti-discrimination law to include “sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, transgender identity, gender transition, and/or gender expression.” The commission circumvented the state Legislature, which…Monica Burke -
- Opinion
Pennsylvania District Fights to Keep Parents From Watching Pro-LGBT Videos Students Were Required to Watch
At East Penn School district, officials don’t just indoctrinate kids — they refuse to show parents how! That’s the outrageous predicament Emmaus families find themselves in after they found out about a weeklong blitz of pro-LGBT videos that was required watching in every homeroom. And here’s the irony: while students were forced to watch them,…Tony Perkins -
- Opinion
LGBT Megadonor Who Wants to ‘Punish the Wicked’ Pushes Pennsylvania Bill
Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn as a haven for political and religious diversity. Now, a Pennsylvania bill poses an existential threat to that history of freedom and tolerance by reinforcing a disturbing trend already happening at the local level. Last year, the state Senate introduced Senate Bill 613, an act that would amend the Pennsylvania…Monica Burke -
- News
Democrat Conor Lamb Clinches Pennsylvania Special Election
In a race determined by hundreds of votes out of about 228,000 cast, the Republican candidate for a Pennsylvania district conceded Wednesday to his Democratic opponent. Democrat Conor Lamb announced Wednesday night that his GOP opponent, Rick Saccone, had called to concede the Nov. 13 election in the Pittsburgh area district. “Just got off the…Amber Randall -
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7 Big Takeaways From That Special Election in Pennsylvania
Little more than 600 votes out of more than 227,000 cast separate the top two candidates in the special election for a House seat in Pennsylvania, as Democrat Conor Lamb maintained a slim lead over Republican Rick Saccone, with no official winner. #BREAKING: With 100% precincts reporting, Democrat Conor Lamb has 113,111 votes and Republican…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Podcast: The Surprising Democrat Win in Pennsylvania
Why did Democrat Conor Lamb win in a district that President Donald Trump won by 20 points in 2016? The Daily Signal’s Fred Lucas joins us to discuss the surprising outcome of a hotly contested election. Plus: Trump is pushing for a “Space Force” and Britain is taking action against Russia.Katrina Trinko -
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In Blow to Trump, Democrat Poised to Win Close Pennsylvania Special Election
Democrat Conor Lamb appears to have captured a tight victory in a special election for a Pennsylvania U.S. House seat. But the final verdict still hinges on absentee and provisional ballots. As of Wednesday morning, the Associated Press is not calling the race. However, Lamb has declared victory, as has the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee….Fred Lucas