News & Brews June 26, 2026
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Pa. Senate votes to cut taxes, grow school choice
Yesterday, the state Senate voted 44-6 for legislation that would “cut taxes on electricity and school supplies … add money to the state Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and remove a sales tax exemption for data centers.” The vote to expand the EITC program by $25 million stands in stark contrast to a recent vote by the state House to slash the program. Of course, that same Democrat-controlled House would need to approve this legislation for it to continue to move forward.
Shapiro open to stacking Supreme Court
In an interview with MS NOW, Gov. Josh Shapiro said he’s open to stacking the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that “everything” should be “on the table.” Adding justices to the court is, of course, a hallmark position of the progressive Left. And speaking of the Left, Shapiro said the recent primary wins of avowed socialists in New York “show voters are energized about wanting change,” the Inquirer reports. “They are channeling that pain into purpose, they’re channeling that into showing up at the ballot box, they’re channeling that into showing enthusiasm,” he said. “That is a good thing.” The Inquirer adds, however, that Shapiro “stopped short of explicitly endorsing their ideologies or viewpoints.”
A ‘risky’ budget strategy from Shapiro
The progressive Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports, “In a time when nearly half of states are cutting spending to balance the books, Pennsylvania is doing the opposite.” A survey from the National Association of State Budget Offices found that “22 states reported targeted spending cuts in governors’ proposed budgets for fiscal 2027.” But the story notes that Gov. Shapiro is pursuing “a riskier strategy — one that increases spending by 5% and forecasts a depleted rainy day fund in two years.” What’s more,” Shapiro’s budget proposal relies on revenue sources still up in the air, like fees on marijuana that’s yet to be legalized and regulated skill games.”
Philly defends ‘unenforceable’ ICE Out law
When Philadelphia was considering its recently passed anti-ICE legislation, “City Solicitor Renee Garcia advised the mayor it would be ‘inaccurate’ to suggest the city can ‘legally and practically enforce the Bill,’” the Inquirer reports. But that’s not stopping the city from trying to defend it. The story notes that yesterday the city “responded … to the Trump administration’s request for an injunction preventing the ordinance from taking effect next month by arguing the federal government doesn’t have standing until the city attempts to enforce its provisions.” This should be interesting.
$750K for Philly power couple raises eyebrows
Well here’s one way to bilk taxpayers. The Inquirer reports that “Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. and City Representative Jazelle Jones, who are married, are poised to collect up to $752,000 in combined payouts from Philadelphia’s widely criticized Deferred Retirement Option Plan, an early retirement incentive that two decades ago sparked a major scandal in City Hall. But neither of the city officials is actually retiring.” Yep, you read that right. The two have found a way to “temporarily retire and immediately return to their jobs, allowing them to receive their DROP payouts before the end of their city government careers.” Can’t make this stuff up.