What Could Democrats Do With More Control?
It's Election Day, and Pennsylvania Democrats are hoping to win a trifecta for the first time in decades: controlling the state Senate, House, and governor's office. If that happens, they could pass a slew of bills that are currently sitting in committee, from data center regulations to restrictions on Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers. Host Megan Harris and contributor Colin Williams run through some of the bills whose future may hinge on today's results, plus a few bipartisan measures that recently became law. We also discuss the truly staggering amount of money that candidates, super PACs, and other entities have spent on what is now the most expensive election in U.S. history.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- As Pennsylvania’s legislature wraps up its session, many bipartisan bills are poised to fail [Spotlight PA]
- Pa. House advances bills limiting student cellphone use and Flock-like cameras [Pennsylvania Capital-Star]
- Pennsylvania legislature passes Alicia’s Law to help investigate, prosecute internet predators [WPXI]
- PA House passes first-ever e-scooter regulations [Fox 43]
- Pennsylvania House passes bill requiring AI disclosure in healthcare [Radiology Business]
- Bill to block public utility status for data centers passes Pennsylvania House [ABC 27]
- Pennsylvania House Advances Vital Legislative Package to Support Local Journalism and Civic Information [Free Press]
- Pennsylvania one of the first states to require disclosures on AI-generated ads [KDKA]
- Pennsylvania restricts use of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam [Allegheny Front]
- Pa Senators advance legislation to create online registry of felony animal abusers [WJAC]
- Pennsylvania Senate passes bill to protect seniors from financial scams [WGAL]
- Campaign spending takes off in airport-area Pa. House race [Public Source]
- U.S. midterms could be the country's most expensive elections yet. To what end? [CBC]
- Allegheny, Westmoreland prepare for Election Day as DOJ poll monitors restricted [TribLive]
- Who’s Keeping Tabs on Election Day? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- PODCAST: County Executive Sara Innamorato on New Taxes, Election 'Observers' & Paid Leave's Potential Windfalls [City Cast Pittsburgh]
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