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Pennsylvania could require paid family leave — if lawmakers can decide who bears the cost

by Jaxon White of Spotlight PA HARRISBURG — There’s a real chance Pennsylvania lawmakers could begin requiring employers to provide paid parental and medical leave, supporters say, though there are still critical disagreements on who should carry the cost. The Democratic-controlled state House passed a paid leave bill in late March, the first time such a policy has cleared a chamber after at least seven years of debate on the issue. There’s bipartisan support for the idea in the GOP-led state Senate, too. A key Republican committee chair sponsored a leave bill in 2024 and ...

Group behind Project 2025 graded Pa. incumbents on their job performance

By John Cole | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – As control of the U.S. House beyond 2026 may hinge upon a few races in Pennsylvania, an influential conservative organization has given grades to each incumbent. And a pair of Republicans in battleground districts received widely different scores. Heritage Action, the advocacy partner organization of the Heritage Foundation, released its Legislative Scorecard for the 119th Congress. U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-10th District, received a 96% grade, the highest score of any member in the state’s congressional ...

Child care affordability, access in focus at policy hearing

HANOVER — The House Republican Policy Committee on Monday examined challenges facing Pennsylvania’s child care system during a public hearing focused on affordability, access and workforce shortages. Chaired by Rep. David H. Rowe, the committee met at the YWCA Hanover and heard testimony ...

PennDOT seeking partnership proposals

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is accepting proposals from private companies for transportation projects across the state through April 30 as part of its public-private partnership program. PennDOT’s Office of Public-Private Partnerships is seeking unsolicited proposals for projects involving roads, bridges, rail, aviation and ports, as well as ideas to improve the management of existing transportation services. Submissions will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. April 30. The proposal period applies to PennDOT-owned infrastructure and services, though private ...

Campaign to aid area fire departments

From staff reports STATE COLLEGE — Nittany MinitMart has launched its seventh annual Fuel the Cause fundraiser to support volunteer fire companies across Central and Northern Pennsylvania. The campaign runs through June 1. The program raises money for 42 local volunteer fire departments, helping provide essential equipment, training, and resources. Volunteer fire companies face declining donations and staffing challenges, and the fundraiser aims to ensure they can continue protecting their communities. During the campaign, Nittany MinitMart and Pennsylvania Skill will each donate ...

Pa.’s first-ever investment in public defense allowed offices to hire attorneys, improve case management

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA Pennsylvania’s first two years of funding indigent defense resulted in progress toward better services for criminal defendants who cannot otherwise afford their own counsel, according to reports released earlier this year. County defender offices across the state hired new attorneys, added crucial support staff, and implemented case management systems, some for the first time. A new body, the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee, created the commonwealth’s first standards for this kind of representation. And a massive data collection effort has ...