Budget
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signs $34 billion ‘divided government’ budget
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-budget-work-continues-20190628-oz4mpdcwrjek3jzv7squxznbhi-story.html
Highlights of Pennsylvania’s 2019-20 budget package
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20190628/highlights-of-pennsylvanias-2019-20-budget-package
Gov. Tom Wolf signs $34B budget; he touts big gains for schools, vows to fight for minimum wage hike
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/gov-tom-wolf-touts-big-gains-for-schools-in-budget-vows-to-keep-fighting-for-minimum-wage-hike.html
10 items that aren’t in the Pa. budget package https://expo.pennlive.com/news/g66l-2019/06/168bedb0443630/10-items-that-arent-in-the-pa-budget-package.html
Gov. Wolf signs budget containing some items Democrats oppose
https://www.inquirer.com/news/tom-wolf-signs-budget-deal-20190628.html
Legislature
Pennsylvania lawmakers approve changes in how we vote
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-budget-voting-changes-20190628-obsl4tpnq5aldfo42svgrz7zw4-story.html
State News
Court system will seal about 2.5 million records a month under ‘clean slate’ law
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/06/28/pa-s-clean-slate-law-give-some-offenders-fresh-start/1600933001/
Pa. blocks plastic bag bans for at least a year
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/pa-blocks-plastic-bag-bans-for-at-least-a-year.html
Counties left waiting to see if state money to buy new voting machines comes through
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/06/counties-left-waiting-to-see-if-state-money-to-buy-new-voting-machines-comes-through.html
Auditor general to investigate I-LEAD Charter School in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/auditor-general-to-investigate-i-lead-charter-school-in-reading
Pennsylvania poised to take over health insurance exchange
https://www.readingeagle.com/article/20190628/AP/306289757/1009
Local News
Uptick in Lehigh Valley bombings part of bigger increase in such cases across Pennsylvania
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-bomb-explosives-cases-20190628-dgnvdb4s25bsfatoacknf6b3za-story.html
City council kills controversial revolving loan program in Columbia
https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/city-council-kills-controversial-revolving-loan-program-in-columbia/article_9c459184-99ec-11e9-99ad-e766c4261a50.html
Marywood University receives $1.2 million federal grant for STEM scholarships
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/marywood-university-receives-1-2-million-federal-grant-for-stem-scholarships-1.2501857
Education
After several votes, Allentown School Board finally passes budget with 1.75% tax hike and plea for charter schools to take tuition reduction
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-school-board-20190628-yehbohuprnb37fi2s6dcsvtzay-story.html
Washington D.C
Senate GOP leader relishes role as “Grim Reaper”
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20190628/senate-gop-leader-relishes-role-as-grim-reaper
Supreme Court to rule on Trump bid to end ‘dreamers’ program
https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/supreme-court-to-rule-on-trump-bid-to-end-dreamers/article_28812a15-e8d3-5282-b699-0985468ed9f6.html
Like old pals, Trump, Putin make light of election meddling
https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/like-old-pals-trump-putin-make-light-of-election-meddling/article_fb05a76f-a416-5d8a-a9fe-c29f3d9088dd.html
N. Korea says Trump’s offer to meet Kim ‘very interesting’
http://hosted.ap.org/thetimes-tribune/article/2b1bb1fd65824c45b6ea4a0251aee60a/n-korea-says-trumps-offer-meet-kim-very-interesting
Senate fails to limit Trump war powers amid Iran tensions
http://hosted.ap.org/citizensvoice/article/09f1374278624647b5ac6f986443a5c2/trumps-tough-talk-iran-prompts-senate-vote-war-powers
US, Taliban to open Doha talks in fresh bid to end war
http://hosted.ap.org/citizensvoice/article/69c8b1ad23a7463f9fab4f61413a6a81/us-taliban-open-doha-talks-fresh-bid-end-war
Trump, China’s Xi talk as trade war faces critical junction
https://www.poconorecord.com/zz/news/20190628/trump-chinas-xi-talk-as-trade-war-faces-critical-junction
Trump rescinds rule governing career training programs
https://www.poconorecord.com/zz/news/20190628/trump-rescinds-rule-governing-career-training-programs
Supreme Court won’t revive 2016 Alabama abortion law but will decide on ‘Bridgegate’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/06/28/Supreme-Court-won-t-revive-2016-Alabama-abortion-law-but-will-decide-on-Bridgegate/stories/201906300117
Presidential Race 2020
Kamala Harris was ready for her debate moment. Joe Biden wasn’t — and it could leave a lasting mark.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joe-biden-kamala-harris-democratic-debate-segregationists-presidential-electability-20190629.html
In the first Democratic debates, Kamala Harris turned Joe Biden — and 2020 race — upside down
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/kamala-harris-joe-biden-moment-2020-democratic-debate-20190628.html
Philadelphia
What to expect when your city is expecting a supervised injection site: Lessons from around the globe
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/safe-injection-sites-philadelphia-dublin-ottawa-toronto-mexicali-20190629.html
Refinery explosion: How Philly dodged a catastrophe
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-refinery-fire-explosion-timeline-hero-rescuers-20190629.html
Philly controller: City’s finances continue to be sloppy
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-sloppy-bookkeeping-city-controller-rebecca-rhynhart-20190628.html
SEPTA commits $34 million to build new Ardmore train station
https://www.inquirer.com/news/ardmore-train-station-new-septa-regional-rail-amtrak-20190628.html
Pittsburgh
U.S. Steel, health department reach draft settlement over Clairton Coke Works violations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/06/28/Clairton-Coke-Works-US-Steel-Allegheny-county-health-department-draft-settlement/stories/201906280108
Pete Buttigieg proposes Pittsburgh summit on climate change at Democratic debate
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/south-bend-mayor-pete-butigieg-proposes-pittsburgh-summit-on-climate-change-during-democratic-presidential-debate/
Kennywood sets opening date for Steel Curtain roller coaster
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/kennywoods-steel-curtain-roller-coaster-to-open-july-13/
Annual furry convention excited to be back in the ‘Burgh next week
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2019/06/28/Annual-furry-convention-Pittsburgh-July-4-2019-Anthrocon-parade-restaurants/stories/201906280103