News & Brews July 2, 2026
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Congress is coming to Philly today
A bipartisan gathering of congressional members from across the country will take place at Independence Hall today, organized by U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle “to mark 250 years since America’s first vote for Independence.” WHYY reminds us, “While Americans traditionally celebrate Independence Day on July 4, historians note that the Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2, 1776, before adopting the Declaration of Independence two days later.” As for the details of the event? “Organizers are not publicly releasing details about the Congressional gathering, including those who will be attending and when it will be held, due to security concerns.”
Shapiro wants ‘radical reform’ on Supreme Court
Asked yesterday during an MS NOW appearance whether Supreme Court justices should be term limited or whether the court should be expanded, Gov. Shapiro responded, “I think everything needs to be on the table. I think we need radical reform that’s actually going to ensure that the voices of the people are heard from, that the voices of the people are represented in the three branches of government.” Of course, the court is not intended to represent the “voices of the people” but rather the law.
‘In cradle of liberty, ed freedom should be default’
Writing in RealClear Pennsylvania, CATO institute policy analyst Colleen Hroncich argues that for many families, Pennsylvania is not living up to the promise that “governments exist to secure the rights of the people, not the other way around,” specifically when it comes to education. “While states across the country are increasingly embracing educational freedom and parental choice,” she writes, “some Pennsylvania lawmakers want to go in the opposite direction.” As America celebrates her 250th birthday, “The families using Pennsylvania’s scholarship programs are embracing one of the most important liberties: that of choosing the environment where their children’s formative years are spent. The least lawmakers can do is not make that harder.”
Pa. teachers’ pension faces $41B shortfall
Well this isn’t great news for taxpayers. The Center Square reports that “Pennsylvania’s public-school employees’ pension fund is $41 billion short of what it needs to pay promised benefits. Last year, it missed the investment benchmark that officials set,” which is being blamed on “performance within private equity.” Of course, “Pennsylvania taxpayers will ultimately bear much of the cost as the state spends more to keep its promises to the fund’s 500,000 members and their beneficiaries or survivors.”
War of words on state budget
Ah, extended budget season. That post-deadline time when each chamber and each party blames the other for the failure to do one thing: Pass a budget by the June 30 deadline. Spotlight PA reports that on the Republican Senate side, lawmakers are saying “that the week’s talks had given them ‘necessary clarity on many outstanding issues which were delaying completion of this year’s budget.’” The statement came as the Senate went home Tuesday until after July 4. House Democrats seized on this departure, saying, “The Senate Republican majority is failing again, not leading, not working, not compromising, and most importantly, not finishing the job we’re all charged to do.” And there we are.