News & Brews February 24, 2026
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Another budget impasse in the offing?
The Inquirer reports that lawmakers are hoping to avoid another budget standoff this year, but they might not be able to due to Shapiro’s spending plan. Indeed, “Pennsylvania is again on track to spend more than it brings in this fiscal year. Gov. Josh Shapiro has pitched spending at least $4.3 billion more than the state is projected to raise in revenue next fiscal year, part of his $53.2 billion budget proposal.” As Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman said of Shapiro’s budget, “It just simply spends too much money. We can’t continue the spending trajectory.”
Garrity to attend SOTU, some Pa. Dems to boycott
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity will attend the State of the Union Address this evening in Washington, D.C. as a guest of Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, the Inquirer reports. A spokesman for Garrity said, “This opportunity will allow her to gain valuable insights into national issues that could impact Pennsylvanians and the services provided by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. Attending the State of the Union is an honor rooted in more than two centuries of American tradition and Stacy Garrity is proud to be able to attend the President’s Address.” Meanwhile, some Pa. Dems will boycott the event, including U.S. Reps. Summer Lee and Mary Gay Scanlon.
Pa. Senate targets AI-generated RTK requests
Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know (RTK) law is critical for transparency, as government often doesn’t volunteer information (and, unfortunately, often tries to hide it, too). Still, some lawmakers are concerned about AI-generated RTK requests. WESA reports, “In the coming weeks, state Senate Bill 431 could become a vehicle for reforming the commonwealth’s Right-to-Know law, tamping down on AI’s ‘malicious use.’ Sponsoring Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery) said inspiration came from local reports of Right-to-Know requests for basic information that could be found elsewhere, such as building addresses and hours of operation.”
Pa. Dems want higher taxes (shocker)
The sun rises. The sun sets. Democrats want to raise taxes. The LNP reports that Democrat lawmakers want to raise taxes on the “wealthy” and redistribute the money earned by some to others. This, of course, would violate the Pennsylvania constitution’s uniformity clause, which prohibits a graduated income tax. Still, as the world turns, Democrat lawmakers continue to push for such a tax.
DCCC includes 2 Pa. candidates in ‘Red-to-Blue’ program
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which focuses on electing Democrats to Congress, has announced its first round of candidates for its 2026 “Red-to-Blue” program. This program seeks to flip Republican seats Democrat. On the list are two Pa. candidates: Janelle Stelson, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in the 10th congressional district, and Paige Cognetti, who is challenging incumbent freshman U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan in the 8th congressional district.