News & Brews June 10, 2026
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Philly teachers are ‘pressured to pass students’
In a news report that should throw open wide the doors to school choice, the Inquirer reports that Philly schools pressure teachers to pass students who can’t do the work or don’t even come to class. “[I]t’s an open secret that in many schools, it is nearly impossible to fail a student, according to interviews with two dozen teachers from schools across the city who say the district is making them give passing grades. Per one teacher, “When the pressure was on the schools to show promotions and graduation rates, and the district was so focused on showing data, it’s shifted grading, and now it’s a joke.” You know what’s not a joke? The kids whom the district doesn’t give a rip about.
Pa. House passes digital ads tax
Yesterday, the state House voted 139-63 in favor of taxing digital advertising in Pa. The legislation “expands the existing Gross Receipts Tax to include a 5% levy on digital advertising.” Supporters used their old ‘tax the rich companies’ argument, as “the majority of digital ads are handled by massive international technology companies, like Meta and Google.” Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Jesse Topper expressed concern and “said the measure would help chase businesses out of the state.”
House passes pair of election bills
Yesterday, the Pa. House also passed a pair of election-related bills. The first, which passed 103-99, “would allow counties to begin pre-canvassing mail-in ballots up to seven days before Election Day,” CBS21 reports. The second, which passed 146-56, “would ban companies with any foreign ownership from donating or contributing money to a campaign or ballot question.” Although the latter bill gained strong support, some lawmakers had concerns that the “definition of foreign ownership isn’t clear” and could define a company with 95% U.S. ownership and 5% foreign ownership.
U.S. Steel project hits delay in Braddock
WESA reports that last night, “Braddock borough council voted unanimously … to table a resolution allowing U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Works to connect to the public sewer, which is needed to move forward with plans to construct a new hot strip mill at the site…. The sewer connection is the only approval needed from Braddock. The rest of the required permits are at the state and county levels.” Per the report, “Council members said they felt U.S. Steel was pressuring them to vote on the resolution now, when the company has likely known about the plans for months.” The measure is now expected to be considered at the council’s July 14 meeting, unless a special session is called.
Senator: Residents deserve voice on data centers
Republican state Sen. Rosemary Brown (Lackawanna, Monroe, & Wayne counties) writes in the Center Square, “The issue of data centers has moved incredibly fast. In fact, it often seems like decisions are moving faster than the facts.” She notes that she “support[s] a moratorium on large-scale data center development until stronger statewide standards, enforceable protections and meaningful local safeguards are fully in place.” Brown adds, “People are not against progress, but they have serious, reasonable questions deserving real answers before decisions are made that could permanently impact their neighborhoods, infrastructure and quality of life.”