News & Brews July 30, 2025
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Budget negotiations ‘inching along’
It looks like there’s bipartisan agreement on the state budget! Unfortunately, that agreement is that the negotiations are “inching along,” which is the phrase used by both Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman and Democrat Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa. “I am still hopeful that we are going to get to a full finished product sooner, [rather] than later. I can’t predict when,” Pittman said. Per Costa and House Republican Leader Jesse Topper, one of the key sticking points is the “spend” number. Gov. Shapiro proposed a near $51.5 billion spending plan, which, frankly, is ridiculous. And House Democrats pushed a bill with a $2.9 billion spending increase—also ridiculous.
Venue shopping strikes again
The Inquirer has another story on trial lawyers who file cases in Philadelphia even when the alleged offense occurred elsewhere. This time, the focus is the West Reading chocolate factory explosion in 2023. “Lawyers on both sides of the 27 lawsuits related to the … explosion … fought for two years over where the cases should be litigated.” This month, a judge ruled that the “where” will be Philadelphia. Plaintiffs’ attorneys want Philly as the city is known for “nuclear verdicts” of $10 million or more. (Although they claim their reason is “efficiency.” So, we’re to believe trial lawyers would inconvenience themselves and travel to Philly for “efficiency” if the West Reading payouts were bigger?) A rule change by the Pa. Supreme Court allows trial lawyers to shop around for the venue that will deliver them the largest payout.
State police data confirms no disparities in traffic stops
The Center Square reports, “A review of the Pennsylvania State Police’s 2024 traffic stops showed no statistical disparities based on the race or ethnicity of those who were pulled over by officers.” Per State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris, “The independent analysis … confirms once again that Pennsylvania state troopers initiate stops for legitimate violations.”
GOP Rep. Jones announces Senate run
Republican state Rep. Tom Jones (Lancaster & Lebanon counties) yesterday announced his candidacy for the state Senate seat that Democrats flipped in a special election earlier this year. The LNP reports, “Jones’ declaration comes just four months after Democrat James Malone won a stunning upset … after longtime Sen. Ryan Aument resigned his seat.” Republicans viewed the defeat “as a fluke of timing and believe the district’s voter registration numbers will make it easy to reclaim it next year.” Jones is the first Republican to enter the race and would be a strong candidate.
Shapiro sues for taxpayer-funded abortions
Gov. Josh Shapiro and 22 other states have sued the Trump administration over a policy ending the use of taxpayer dollars via Medicaid to fund Planned Parenthood. According to its 2023-2024 annual report, Planned Parenthood performed 402,200 abortions during that time period and received nearly $800 million in taxpayer funding. As the pro-life Susan B. Anthony list pointed out regarding the lawsuit, “The [Democrat] party of safe, legal, and rare is now the party of forcing taxpayers” to fund abortions.