News & Brews February 27, 2026
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Shapiro’s changing message on boys in girls’ sports
Writing in RealClear Pennsylvania, historian and journalist Oliver Bateman notes that a new billboard in Scranton takes aim at Gov. Josh Shapiro and House Democrats for blocking the Save Women’s Sports Act, which would protect girls from being forced to compete against biological boys. Bateman notes Shapiro’s changing position on the issue over the years. “The bill was ‘cruel’ in 2021; its supporters were ‘extremists’ in July 2025; trans kids don’t deserve an ‘unfair advantage’ by December 2025; the governor’s office is simultaneously fighting Trump on gender-transition care while refusing to commit on [the bill].”
Republican drops out of Lancaster election
The LNP reports, “Lancaster County Republicans have cleared the primary field for state Rep. Tom Jones in the critical race to retake the 36th Senate District from Democrat James Malone.” Mary Jo Huyard, a former Manheim Township Commissioner, “said she agreed to drop out of the race after a meeting with Jones convened by Scott Martin, the state senator for the county’s 13th District.” You’ll recall Malone flipped this Senate seat in a special election last year.
ICE facility battle in Pa.
As the federal government plans to put ICE detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill counties, Gov. Josh Shapiro is threatening to use “every tool at his disposal” to stop them, Spotlight PA reports. What those “tools” are is unclear (TikTok videos?), but among those mentioned in the story are legal actions and regulatory holdups. For its part, ICE said it expects the facilities will “create 11,000 jobs and bring in more than $283.4 million in tax revenue,” economic benefits that Shapiro disputes.
SEPTA chief gets 3-year contract at $395K per year
The Inquirer reports that yesterday, SEPTA board members approved giving General Manager Scott Sauer a three-year contract at $395,000 per year—an increase from $300,879. Sauer was named the transit agency’s interim general manager in late 2024 and permanent general manager last year. (Anecdotally, while speaking with a friend of my husband who has consulted regional transit systems around the world for 20 years, he said SEPTA is “the worst.” So there’s that. Here’s hoping that extra $100K will help drive improvements.)
Pittsburgh finances ‘more dire’ than thought
The Tribune Review reports that “year-end figures released by the Office of Management and Budget this week revealed [Pittsburgh] ended 2025 with an $8.6 million operating deficit.“ Per Democrat Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, “The financial situation was much more dire than I think we even appreciated.” Of course, Dems’ solution? Raise taxes. Sigh.