Budget/Taxes
Disruption in the name of order: Blake’s renewed push for ‘tax fairness’
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/disruption-in-the-name-of-order-blake-s-renewed-push-for-tax-fairness-1.2592592
Editorial: Governor offers familiar ideas in new budget
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-governor-offers-familiar-ideas-in-new-budget/article_98dcd26c-4b23-11ea-93d9-df81981880ef.html
State budget questions to be answered soon
https://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/state-budget-questions-to-be-answered-soon/
It’s budget season. Let the games begin | Editorial Cartoon
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/its-budget-season-let-the-games-begin-editorial-cartoon/
Gov. Wolf rolls out new plan to fund state police; this time everybody pays
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/gov-wolf-rolls-out-new-plan-to-fund-state-police/article_5b19f6d0-49f7-11ea-a042-ebe9b7b22591.html
Energy
My Turn: Trouble in Pennsylvania’s air
https://www.poconorecord.com/opinion/20200208/my-turn-trouble-in-pennsylvanias-air
Letter to the Editor: Wolf hailed for push against methane
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-wolf-hailed-for-push-against-methane/article_27292b38-4b33-11ea-ab79-2b6c9fed2571.html
Increase subsidies for gas industry
https://www.republicanherald.com/opinion/increase-subsidies-for-gas-industry-1.2592439
Education
Gov. Wolf’s proposal shines spotlight on Pennsylvania’s higher education problem
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-passhe-scholarships-20200208-btsmuv4oergtndlo37pftuqppm-story.html
Students deserve better school building conditions
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2020/02/09/Students-deserve-better-school-building-conditions/stories/202002050128
Major new scholarship program for Pa.’s state universities causes a stir
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2020/02/major-new-scholarship-program-for-pas-state-universities-causes-a-stir.html
Setting teacher-student boundaries one tool to curb teacher sex crimes, advocate says
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-teacher-student-boundaries-20200209-rnaomkq64ndfric7jyjrzymz2q-story.html
Pa. requires libraries in prisons. But not in schools. Why? | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-requires-libraries-in-prisons-but-not-in-schools-why-opinion/
Legislative Issues
With rule change on food stamps, Pa. is staring at a hunger crisis | Opinion
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/2020/02/with-rule-change-on-food-stamps-pa-is-staring-at-a-hunger-crisis-opinion.html
FCC plan could help thousands in rural PA get broadband
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/fcc-plan-could-help-thousands-in-rural-pa-get-broadband/article_d38ad939-b09b-5f20-9aec-6ad9cd094391.html
Law and Justice
‘It’s lunacy’: Pa. cops still busting plenty of people for pot despite de-criminalization, report says
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2020/02/its-lunacy-pa-cops-still-busting-plenty-of-people-for-pot-despite-de-criminalization-report-says.html
Overdose death rates decline statewide and locally for second year
https://www.heraldstandard.com/new_today/overdose-death-rates-decline-statewide-and-locally-for-second-year/article_a12d3eee-49e2-11ea-93f0-0bd280bac6c4.html
We need to strengthen re-entry programs
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2020/02/09/We-need-to-strengthen-re-entry-programs/stories/202002090023
A Pennsylvania grand jury is investigating Jehovah’s Witnesses for alleged sex-abuse cover-up, man who testified says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-grand-jury-investigating-jehovah-witnesses-sex-abuse-cover-up-20200209.html
Health
Bob Casey made health care his crusade. In 2020, he finds his party at a crossroads.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/02/08/Bob-Casey-Affordable-Care-Act-health-care-pennsylvania-obamacare/stories/202001010160
Colleges, legislators look at issue of access to menstrual products
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/02/09/equity-state-system-Clarion-Pitt-Penn-State-menstrual-period-equity-college-gender/stories/202001300120
Elections/Redistricting
Making vote relevant: Pennsylvania considers an earlier presidential primary
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/09/Pennsylvania-presidential-primary-vote-early-relevant/stories/202002050034
EDITORIAL: Kail bill is complete nonsense
https://observer-reporter.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-kail-bill-is-complete-nonsense/article_1c7fbf84-4765-11ea-81a5-cf08196b6f85.html
Opinion: Redistricting reform must get done in 2020
https://www.centredaily.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article240084853.html
Census, community groups work to accurately count Hispanics in Western Pa.
https://triblive.com/local/regional/census-community-groups-work-to-accurately-count-hispanics-in-western-pa/
Politics
With Dinniman out, Chesco Dems now expect ‘exciting’ convention
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/with-dinniman-out-chesco-dems-now-expect-exciting-convention/article_d90f682c-4a97-11ea-9f23-53916cf4e2c9.html
Pennsylvania Democrats who won Republican districts on how to beat Trump in 2020
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-2020-presidential-election-house-democrats-20200209.html
Facing a difficult future, Pa.’s Trump-supporting mining communities are defiant and resilient | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/schuylkill-county-coal-mining-trump-pennsylvania-20200209.html
Federal
Republican senators tried to stop Trump from firing impeachment witness
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/2020/02/08/Trump-defends-firing-of-key-impeachment-witness-Vindman/stories/202002080053
Mitt Romney’s act of bravery changed nothing and changed everything
https://www.timesonline.com/opinion/20200209/mitt-romneys-act-of-bravery-changed-nothing-and-changed-everything
A battle for the nation’s soul | Mark Singel
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/02/a-battle-for-the-nations-soul-mark-singel.html