News & Brews October 28, 2025
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GOP voters behind mail-in ballot uptick
Votebeat reports that “Republicans have seen a particularly strong rise” in mail-in ballot request in Pennsylvania this year. “While Democrats still make up the majority of mail ballot requests, 66%, Republicans now make up a greater share than they did four years ago. The number of mail ballots requested by GOP voters has risen to roughly 277,000 from 205,000 in 2021, a 35% increase. The Democrats’ total, by comparison, is up just 9%.” The story notes, “The increases could be a sign that voters are more interested in the judicial retention races on this year’s ballots than they have been in other races in recent municipal elections.”
Pa. lawmakers hold hearing on venue shopping
Yesterday, the Senate State Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Cris Dush (Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean. and Potter counties), held a hearing on ending “venue shopping” via a proposed constitutional amendment. Venue shopping, which the Pa. Supreme Court allowed through a rule change a few years ago, lets trial lawyers file malpractice cases in plaintiff-friendly locations, such as Philadelphia, even if the alleged offense occurs elsewhere. The result has been a windfall for trial lawyers. The amendment “would ask voters to decide whether to allow state legislators to adopt law deciding on rules establishing venues in civil case,” CNHI explains.
After banning plastic bags, Philly goes after paper
Oh brother. Mark this one under “government creates more problems than it solves.” Philadelphia Magazine reports that four years after the city banned single-use plastic bags, it appears paper bag use is up (didn’t take a genius to figure out that would happen). Now, the city wants to target paper bags by forcing stores to charge customers at least 10 cents each for them. Let me guess, the city will ban paper bags and then in another four years we’ll see the use of cardboard boxes skyrocket. Then, the city will go after them.
Allegheny state rep announces retirement
Democrat state Rep. Anita Kulik (Allegheny County) announced she will not run for re-election next year. WESA reports, “Though she has held the district for nearly a decade, her retirement could bring about a spirited Republican challenge to the seat, as Democrats control the House with a slim one-seat majority.” Kulik coasted to re-election by a 16-point margin last year—a huge win, albeit smaller than in former years.
Lawmakers pitch new bill to regulate skill games
City & State PA reports that Republican state Sen. Gene Yaw (Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties) and Democrat state Sen. Anthony Williams (Philadelphia and Delaware counties) are proposing “a bill that outlines a regulatory structure for skill games—yet-to-be-regulated gaming terminals that resemble video slot machines, but are different in that winnings are based on an element of skill, not chance.” Among other things, the proposal “would replace a previously proposed tax on skill gaming machines with a $500 monthly fee per machine.”