News & Brews March 26, 2026
Get News & Brews in your inbox each day: Subscribe here!
Shapiro stops serial killer’s execution
Lehigh Valley serial killer Harvey Robinson was convicted of raping and killing 15-year-old Charlotte Schmoyer, raping and killing 47-year-old Jessica Jean Forney, and raping and killing 29-year-old Joan Burghardt. He was scheduled to be executed on Tuesday. But Gov. Josh Shapiro blocked the execution as part of his moratorium on the death penalty. He also called on the General Assembly to abolish capital punishment in the commonwealth.
Op-Ed: Three strikes against Shapiro’s budget
House Republican Appropriations Chair Jim Struzzi (Indiana County) counts out three strikes against Gov. Shapiro’s proposed budget. Strike One is “no real plan to unleash our energy industry and bring down prices for consumers.” Strike Two is “assum[ing] expenditures will only grow by 0.78 percent over the next four years while his last three budgets grew by an average of 5.6 percent.” And Strike Three is “drain[ing] $4.58 billion from the Rainy Day Fund, leaving just $3.31 billion for emergencies and putting our state’s bond rating at risk.”
Will one of these Dems challenge Fetterman?
Semafor reports that former Democrat U.S. Rep. Susan Wild is considering a primary challenge to Sen. John Fetterman, as he has drawn the ire of many in his party for taking sane positions, like being willing to talk with the president and opposing killing Jews. Democrat U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle also “raised eyebrows” by saying Fetterman “needs to go,” which has some suspecting he may also challenge Fetterman. Also in the speculation mix are Democrat U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio and former Democrat U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb.
GOP lawmakers call for tax holidays
Launching their “Freedom through Affordability Initiative,” Republican House lawmakers yesterday proposed a series of six-month tax cuts and holidays, including a temporary reduction in the personal income tax from 3.07% to 2.99%, a suspension of the Gross Receipts Tax on electricity and telecommunications, a suspension of the state gas tax, and a sales tax holiday on baby products and car seats. The lawmakers are also launching a statewide tour to promote the initiative.
Women’s History Month effort ends after Dems can’t define woman
And finally, reporter Stephen Caruso tweeted that this week Democrat House Speaker Joanna McClinton “called up a non-binding resolution to honor Women’s History Month. State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R., Lawrence) offered an amendment to define ‘woman.’ After a pause, McClinton said she would skip the resolution. There was laughter on the floor.” Can’t make this stuff up.