In November, the Shapiro administration agreed to drop controversial state rules curbing carbon emissions from large power plants in return for Senate passage of a
Facing a reelection campaign this year, Gov. Josh Shapiro used his annual budget address yesterday to assuage voter concerns in areas ranging from rising power prices to the high cost of housing to the proliferation of data centers. He called for greater scrutiny of utility profits, new funds for housing and stricter standards for data […]
In an address to the state legislature today, Gov. Josh Shapiro is set to unveil his spending and legislative priorities for the next year. Observers expect to hear familiar refrains, including calls to hike Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, close the so-called “Delaware loophole” for corporate taxpayers and legalize the recreational use of marijuana. They also expect […]
It has been just about a year since state officials opened a new avenue for taxpayers to dispute tax bills. Traffic remains relatively light, given the thousands of tax disputes that arise every year in Pennsylvania. Nonetheless, officials are encouraged by the progress they’re making. “These changes remove red tape and make Pennsylvania more business […]
State officials agreed to drop a union-friendly labor requirement attached to bids on a construction project slated for the grounds of the former Harrisburg State Hospital, according to Dave Sload, president and CEO of the Keystone chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. The regional trade group, based in Rapho Township, Lancaster, sued the state over […]
In some parts of Central Pennsylvania, data centers are a fast-encroaching reality. Construction is underway on centers in Lancaster, for example, and a Carlisle-area project is pushing through the local land development process. In other areas, projects remain on the drawing board, often as concepts pitched to indicate what a data center might look like if […]
Tweaks to jobless benefits in Pennsylvania are heading to the governor’s desk. The state House yesterday followed the Senate in approving legislation that makes it easier for victims of domestic violence to qualify for unemployment benefits and delays benefit cuts that were scheduled to take effect next year. The changes drew bipartisan support, with Philadelphia-area Democratic […]
In 2022, state utility regulators approved the $55 million sale of a Chester County sewer system. A state appeals court overturned the approval in 2023 over concerns that the transaction would boost costs for customers. In a ruling yesterday, Pennsylvania’s highest court reversed the appeals court and approved the deal between Aqua Pennsylvania‘s wastewater arm and the […]
State lawmakers from both parties are backing legislation that would make it easier for victims of domestic violence to qualify for unemployment benefits and delay benefit cuts that were scheduled to take effect next year. The measure, which passed in the Senate this week, was designed initially to help people who might be forced by a […]
The U.S. Department of Transportation is threatening to withhold $75 million in federal highway funding earmarked for Pennsylvania after accusing the state of illegally issuing commercial driver’s licenses to what the agency describes as “dangerous foreign drivers.” The warning comes days after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal immigrant from Uzbekistan who was […]