News
Another budgetary impasse threatens public school districts, low income Pennsylvanians, county governments, public transit riders, libraries and those who rely on “discretionary” state funding.
Business groups object. So do some liberal policy organizations.
The Bucks County Republican lawmaker has been on both sides of the Right to Contraception Act.
Tuesday's decision rejects an order President Donald Trump issued at the start of his second term, declaring that children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.
"To let this continue fails to consider principles embodied in the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of our Constitution and violates important protections for immigrants reflected in our laws,” said Vanessa Stine, senior staff attorney of ACLU PA.
Opinion
Without swift state intervention, Big Tech's unregulated stampede through the state threatens to derail our climate goals, overwhelm local infrastructure and spike electricity bills for working families.
The planet’s first trillionaire is not a sign of economic health. It’s an indicator of extreme inequality and the dangers of concentrated power.
Juneteenth made clear that freedom was not just confined to someone’s physical enslavement, but mental enslavement as well, bound in the laws that barred enslaved people from receiving an education in Southern states.
The Trump administration has made it difficult for fans and others to participate in this year's games.
A new report by the Trevor Project underscores the urgent need for “Press 3” option, which President Donald Trump ended last year.
Education
“Our taxpayers deserve to know if their tax dollars are reaching the students they are intended to help and students deserve to receive the scholarships for which they qualify,” said state Rep. Nikki Rivera, the bill's sponsor. “H.B. 2632 provides the transparency needed to make that a reality.”
Parents and staff were “blindsided” by the decision to shutter the service.
Juneteenth made clear that freedom was not just confined to someone’s physical enslavement, but mental enslavement as well, bound in the laws that barred enslaved people from receiving an education in Southern states.
“This will leave our most vulnerable students and families who have been shut out of our education system without the services they need and without protection when they face discrimination,” said Rachel Gittleman, president of the union that represents department employees.
Reaching out to your representatives can make a real difference, writes Tabitha Dell'Angelo.
Elections
The Department of Justice could now appeal the ruling, as it has in other states.
Left-wing insurgents are increasingly challenging legacy political institutions that often are led by Black and Latino lawmakers.
U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani on Thursday sided with a coalition of nearly two dozen states that challenged the Republican president’s order. Her ruling applies to this year's midterm election cycle.
Whether this translates to national politics is a next test for the progressive movement.
Only about a quarter of independents without a college education have a positive view of Trump, while the president's standing among Black and Hispanic independents has also dropped considerably.
Watch or Listen to Behind The Beacon!
Recent Votes:
- H.Res. 1399: Directing the Committee on Ethics to preserve and publicly release records relating to monetary settlements involving acts of sexual harassment. June 30, 2026Vote: Passed 420/0 Rep. Fitzpatrick [R-PA1]: Yea
- H.Con.Res. 108: Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon. June 30, 2026Vote: Failed 189/235 Rep. Fitzpatrick [R-PA1]: Nay
- H.Res. 1398: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8800) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to June 30, 2026Vote: Failed 198/224 Rep. Fitzpatrick [R-PA1]: Not Voting
- On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 1398: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8800) to authorize appropriations for fiscal … June 30, 2026Vote: Passed 215/210 Rep. Fitzpatrick [R-PA1]: Yea