News & Brews May 18, 2026
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$5.7B budget deficit portends a crisis
There are fewer than seven weeks until the traditional state budget deadline, And The Center Square reports that “the latest projection from the state Independent Fiscal Office is for a budget deficit of $5.7 billion next fiscal year.”Yet, “There has been no public indication by Gov. Josh Shapiro or any of the 253 lawmakers of any agreement yet to significantly reduce it.” Instead, Shapiro has proposed spending more, a plan that Democrat lawmakers have largely endorsed.
Senate Dems ‘make nice’ with Fetterman
As criticism of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman abounds, particularly stemming from his support for Israel and his willingness to talk with President Trump, NOTUS reports that some of his fellow Senate Democrats are coming to his defense. Now, let’s not think that all of this kindness is altruistic. Should Fetterman leave the Democrat party (which he has repeatedly and emphatically said he has no plans to do), this would jeopardize the party’s hopes of taking the majority. Indeed the story notes some Dems say the party “should be more inclusive of differing opinions if they are to expand the Senate map.”
After 25 years, school choice demand is ‘surging’
The Center Square reports, “A new report indicates demand for school choice in Pennsylvania is higher than it’s ever been since its inception 25 years ago.” Since then, Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship programs have “provided tuition support to more than 1 million lower-income students, an increase of 33% over the last decade,” per the report from the Commonwealth Foundation. Yet, almost 70,000 students remain stuck on waiting lists.
3 Senate GOP primaries draw millions in spending
Spotlight PA reports that “gaming and gambling interests whose industries were eyed for new or higher taxes in 2025 have spent $8.1 million and counting in the lead-up to Pennsylvania’s May primary,” which, of course, is tomorrow. “The spending was done by three groups, and much of it has been concentrated on independent ads that either praise or savage the records of Republican incumbents and their primary challengers in three key state Senate races.” Those incumbents are Sens. Lisa Baker, Camera Bartolotta, and Chris Gebhard.
Uber’s idea to counter Parker’s rideshare tax
As Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker pushes her $1-per-ride rideshare tax, purportedly for education (although past ‘education’ tax hikes have funded other things), the Inky reports that Parker’s plan has put council members in a tough spot. They don’t want to vote for the tax, but don’t want to be attacked for voting against education. Well, the Inky reports, that Uber is offering another idea—”a compromise proposal to axe Parker’s $1-per-ride fee and instead substantially increase the city’s existing 1.4% rideshare tax.” This plan “would require approval from the state, not Council.”
Pot pets? Marijuana’s other victims
Ok so I usually don’t include stories about Fido, but given the push by Gov. Shapiro and some lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana, this seems relevant. WHYY reports that Pa. vets are seeing a rise in “pot dogs,” as pets are accidentally ingesting “medical or recreational marijuana-infused products, such as edible chocolates or gummies.” These pups present with symptoms including “really low heart rates, respiratory depression, low [or] sometimes high body temperatures,” as well as “‘very dulled’ mental activity, which will make it ‘a lot harder to figure out what’s going on.’” .