News & Brews December 17, 2025
Get News & Brews in your inbox each day: Subscribe here!
Bill addresses use of public funds for private property
State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (York County) plans to introduce legislation that would require that any taxpayer dollars used on private property be reimbursed if that property is sold. Specifically, her bill—the Safeguard Act—”mandates that a lien be placed on a piece of private property that has received upgrades, renovations, or improvements using appropriated state funds. The lien would be for the amount of the public funds expended on the property improvement and would only be triggered and paid upon the subsequent sale or transfer of the property.” The proposed legislation comes as taxpayers are spending more than $1 million on security upgrades to Gov. Shapiro’s private residence.
Pa. Dems again refuse to protect women’s sports
Yesterday, Democrats on the House Education Committee “again avoided a vote to protect women’s sports,” this time by re-referring bills to do so to another committee. Per a news release from several lawmakers championing the measures to protect women’s sports, “The move allows the committee to skirt a discharge resolution filed by House Republicans to force a vote on the issue.” The lawmakers stated, “It’s disgraceful that House Democrats refuse to vote on an issue that would protect the rights of women and girl athletes to compete on a level playing field…. Polls indicate 80% of people support policies that ensure fairness in women’s sports. So why are Democrats so insistent on not even bringing this bill up for a vote?”
Lutnick: Pa. energy will make America affordable
Writing in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick notes that Pennsylvania “helped build America’s industrial base, and it remains one of the most strategically important energy and manufacturing states in the country. When Pennsylvania works, America wins.” He adds that the commonwealth “will once again play a central role in our national energy strategy. Reopening mines, expanding production and investing in modern infrastructure restores high-quality jobs and strengthens American energy security. Combined with natural gas and new power generation, Pennsylvania is set to reclaim its place as one of the great energy capitals of the country and the world.”
Vance comes to Lehigh County
WVIA reports, “Vice President JD Vance celebrated the nation’s economic outlook during a Tuesday stop at a Uline Shipping Supplies warehouse in Alburtis, saying that strengthening the economy has been the driving motive through the first 10 months of President Donald Trump’s second term.” The VP “blamed Biden for soaring inflation, out-of-control energy costs and a housing crisis that Americans couldn’t afford.” Democrats, of course, weren’t buying it. DNC National Committee Vice Chair and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta said, “As the holidays approach, Pennsylvanians are paying more at the grocery store and department store — and they know Donald Trump is to blame.”
A Pittsburgh budget (crisis) primer
The commonwealth isn’t the only government entity with budget issues. Pittsburgh is embroiled in its own budget crisis, as the city faces a December 31 deadline to pass a budget. Among the problems: claiming budgets are balanced when they’re not, which has led to a structural deficit (gee, that sounds familiar). How to solve the problem? Well, some want tax hikes (also a familiar refrain) and some want spending cuts. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review put together a brief primer on the issue.