A Full House...and Senate!

Legislature

Special Election Results

Congratulations to Representative-elect Dan Goughnour and Senator-elect James Andrew Malone who won their respective special elections last week. Both men will be sworn into office once the election results are certified.

The win in the Pennsylvania House keeps majority control of the chamber in the hands of the Democrats. In the Senate, the win increases the Democrats in the chamber with Republican still in control 27-23.

Representative-Elect Dan Goughnour

Senator-Elect James Andrew Malone

Court Rules on Mail-In Ballot Requirements

U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter recently ruled that Pennsylvania election boards cannot invalidate mail-in ballots simply due to missing handwritten dates on the return envelopes. She ruled that the invalidation violates the U.S. Constitution by burdening the right to vote. Although an argument was made that the dates help prevent fraud, the Judge ruled there was no evidence supporting the claim. Over 10,000 votes were invalidated for this reason in 2022.

The Republican National Committee plans to appeal the decision.

Administration

Impact of Data Centers on the Electricity Grid

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a hearing on April 24 in Harrisburg to discuss how data centers will affect the multi-state electric grid run by the Pennsylvania-Jersey-Maryland (PJM) Interconnection.

The hearing is intended to bring together utilities, energy users, and consumer advocates to discuss a balanced, forward-looking approach to grid access and infrastructure investment.

The PUC will be announcing the agenda, panelists, and information on how to view or participate in the hearing in the coming weeks.

PennDOT Survey on Winter Services

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has opened a 16-question survey about the services provided during the winter. It should take approximately 5 minutes and asks questions about the drivability of roads, priorities for snow removal, and more. You can vote now through April 28.

The Winter Services Survey is available here.

Construction Season = Enforcement Initiative

As the weather begins to turn, orange cones are popping up everywhere with work being completed by governments, utilities, and others. It’s no surprise then that the Pennsylvania State Police is taking the opportunity to launch "Operation Orange Squeeze," an initiative to target speeding and distracted driving in Turnpike work zones.

Troopers will be monitoring work zones from construction vehicles to catch violations. Last year, 176 crashes in these zones resulted in two deaths and 48 injuries. Drivers caught speeding or involved in crashes in work zones face harsh penalties, including automatic 15-day license suspensions.

Shapiro Again Sues Trump Administration

Governor Josh Shapiro has joined 21 other states in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration. The states are seeking the continued funding of $500 million in pandemic era health funding. The money supports infectious disease prevention, mental health services, and immunization programs. 

Row Offices

Money Match Program Sends $1.7 Million to PA Residents

Pennsylvania Money Match, a new program that allows Treasury to return certain unclaimed property to rightful owners automatically, has sent out its first disbursement. More than 7,000 people will receive checks totaling more than $1.7 million.

Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s office sent letters to impacted Pennsylvanians in January advising them that unclaimed property would be automatically returned to them. The next batch of checks, that are being sent quarterly, will go out in May. It is expected to include about 40,000 letters.

What's Next

The House will reconvene on Monday, April 7, at 12 PM.

The Senate will return to session on Monday, May 5 at 1 PM.

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