News & Brews May 13, 2026
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Threat thwarted against Pa. lawmakers
State police have arrested a Lebanon County man who has been charged with making terrorist threats against nearly two dozen Democrat state lawmakers. Police said the man posted a “hit list” of lawmakers, called some of them “gun grabbing communists” and made references to “shooting.” So, here’s the thing. Don’t threaten violence. Don’t be violent. But to wax philosophical for just a minute, violence starts in the heart. And just look at social media or mainstream media or alternative media these days—there’s a lot of heart attitude that views those who disagree as the enemy and the only goal is to “DESTROY” the “other side.” That’s a problem. Sure, debate the issues, even enthusiastically, but don’t demonize those who disagree. To address violence, we’ve got to address the heart first. In the meantime, kudos to state police for thwarting this threat.
Pa. lawmakers sign onto bipartisan immigration bill
The Center Square reports that four members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation—three Republicans and one Democrat—have signed onto a federal immigration bill that thus far is cosponsored by 20 Democrats and 19 Republicans. The proposal includes “permanently securing the border; modernizing our outdated asylum system; providing legal pathways for undocumented immigrants living in America; protecting American workers; and ensuring the United States remains prosperous and competitive in the future.” Signing on from Pa. are Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Kelly, and Lloyd Smucker and Democrat Rep. Chrissy Houlahan.
Red State, Blue State — does it matter?
Our president and CEO Matt Brouillette writes in PennLive, “While it’s easy to blame politicians in Washington for unaffordability, the real culprits are often closer to home—sitting in our state Capitols and not the halls of Congress.” And as it turns out, “it’s impossible to deny the connection between Democrat control, high taxes, and anemic job growth—all of which lead to unaffordability.”
Is Shapiro ignoring data center town hall invite?
The Center Square reports that organizers of a bipartisan virtual town hall on data centers—which will be attended by several state lawmakers—have made multiple attempts to invite Gov. Shapiro but have received no response. “Asked on Tuesday why there was no response to the group, Shapiro’s press secretary, Rosie Lapowsky, said in a text, ‘What group? And have you confirmed we’ve received these invitations? And that we haven’t responded?’”
Democrat drama in Allegheny County
The Post-Gazette reports, “A week before facing voters in a contested Democratic primary for a state House seat, Allegheny County Council President Patrick Catena is confronting mounting backlash from within his own party — including calls to step down — because of a mailer his campaign sent out last week.” The mailer in question criticized Catena’s primary opponent for being ‘supported by an extreme left group that advocates for transgender athletes in our sports.’” Apparently, opposing boys in girls’ sports is a giant no-no in the Democrat primary. Now, Catena is apologizing and saying he needs “to do some soul searching.”