Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Gov. Shapiro

-- Spotlight PA: $50.1 Billion State Budget That Ends Impasse Sends $565 Million To Needy Schools, Makes Key Climate Concession [Ending RGGI That Was Never Implemented] 

-- Gov. Shapiro said about the provision ending RGGI-- “For years, Senate Republicans have used RGGI as an excuse to stall substantive conversations about energy. Today, that excuse is gone.  It’s time to look forward – and I’m going to be aggressive about pushing for policies that create more jobs in the energy sector, bring more clean energy onto the grid, and reduce the cost of energy for Pennsylvanians. It’s time to get it done--  and I know we can.”

-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: Gov. Shapiro Files To Discontinue PA Supreme Court Appeal Of RGGI Rule After State Budget Deal [RGGI Was Never Implemented]

-- PennLive - John Baer: Democrats Are Acting Like Democrats, Stuff Is Getting Done; Is Normal Creeping Into Politics?

-- Race For Governor

-- ABC27: Republican State Sen. Mastriano Still Considering Run For Governor

-- Budget 2025 (Almost 2026)

-- Spotlight PA: $50.1 Billion State Budget That Ends Impasse Sends $565 Million To Needy Schools, Makes Key Climate Concession [Ending RGGI That Was Never Implemented] 

-- Erie Times: Who Are Winners, Losers After PA’s Split Legislature Passes $50.1 Billion Budget?

-- PennLive: PA State Budget Winners And Losers

-- Post-Gazette: PA Communities, Schools, Nonprofits Still Reeling From Federal Shutdown, State Budget Impasse

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Chronic Budget Impasses Indict Harrisburg’s Political Culture

-- TribLive/Spotlight PA: Gov. Shapiro Signs $50.1 Billion Budget, Ending Months Of Legislative Deadlock

-- The Center Square: PA Senate Republicans React To State Budget Deal They Passed

-- WESA: PA Budget Deal Includes $175 Million Cut In Taxpayer Funded Cyber-Charter Schools, Other Spending Boosts, But No New Revenue

-- PennLive - John Baer: Democrats Are Acting Like Democrats, Stuff Is Getting Done; Is Normal Creeping Into Politics?

-- State Budget Agreement Mixed Bag For Environment: RGGI Gone; $156 Million Solar For All Money OK’d; PUC Review Of Load Forecasts; $15 Million For Oil & Gas Regulation; More Cuts To Special Funds Coming  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro said about the provision ending RGGI-- “For years, Senate Republicans have used RGGI as an excuse to stall substantive conversations about energy. Today, that excuse is gone.  It’s time to look forward – and I’m going to be aggressive about pushing for policies that create more jobs in the energy sector, bring more clean energy onto the grid, and reduce the cost of energy for Pennsylvanians. It’s time to get it done--  and I know we can.”

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Pursuing A Clean Energy Pennsylvania Remains A Worthwhile Goal That Is Critical To The Economic Future Of The State And The Health Of Its Residents  [PaEN] 

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Rise Of A.I. Data Centers Prompts Lawmakers To Seek More Say Over Electric Grid Load Forecasts In Budget Settlement

-- TribLive: County Leaders Say Furloughs, Service Cuts Won’t Disappear Because Of State Budget Deal

-- LancasterOnline: State Funding ‘Not Keeping Up With Reality’ For Lancaster County School Districts

-- The Center Square: Taxpayer Funded Private Cyber Charter Schools Brace For Funding Reform Impact

-- TribLive: State Budget Agreement Sees No New Money For Public Transit

-- WHYY: SEPTA CEO Calls PA State Budget ‘Disappointing’ After Transit Funding Left Out 

-- The Center Square: With New State Budget, Home Care Industry Left Wanting

-- TribLive: PA’s Independent Home Care Workers Get Pay Raise In State Budget But Most Miss Out 

-- TribLive Editorial: Ending Government Stalemates Doesn’t Negate Damage

-- Inquirer Editorial: Harrisburg Finally Passes A State Budget, But It Comes At A Steep Cost For PA’s Effort To Stem Greenhouse Gases [Ending RGGI That Was Never Implemented]

-- Post-Gazette: Sports Betting, Online Gaming Companies Are All-In Against Any PA Gambling Tax Hike

-- US Senate/House

-- Post-Gazette: Sen. Fetterman Casts Key Vote In Federal Shutdown Deal That Other Democrats Call ‘Capitulating’

-- TribLive: Fetterman Hospitalized After Heart Issue Caused Him To Fall Near Braddock Home

-- Statewide Offices

-- Attorney General Sunday Notice August Data Security Incident May Have Involved Personal Information

-- 2025 Elections

-- WITF/LancasterOnline: Democrats In Lancaster County Had A Good Year; Does That Mean A Blue Wave Is Coming In 2026? 

-- PennLive: Voter Turnout Surged In Harrisburg Region Compared To 4 Years Ago

-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: The PA Election Results Should Worry Republicans - By John Hinshaw, RealClearWire

-- Citizens Voice: Jane Fonda PAC Spends $40,000 On Luzerne County Campaigns

-- PA Impacts Of President’s Tariffs

-- AP: President Drops His Tariffs On Beef, Coffee, Tropical Fruit Causing High Prices Taxing  Consumers 

-- AP: USDA Shows China Is Not Buying Soybeans From US Farmers President Promised

-- PA Impacts Of President’s Policies

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Should Pay Federal Food Stamp November Payments By Weekend After Federal Shutdown’s End 

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: President’s USDA Sued To Stop Food Stamp Benefits, Used Hungry Americans For Political Gain Amid Federal Shutdown - By Rock Copeland, Erie County Council Member 

-- WHYY/AP: US Supreme Court Extends Order Blocking Full Food Stamp Payments, With Federal Shutdown Potentially Near An End

-- Beaver Times: PA Starts Issuing Food Stamp Benefits As President Orders States To ‘Undo’ Payments

-- Inquirer: President’s USDA Demands States ‘Undo’ Full Food Stamp Benefit Payouts, As States Warn Of ‘Catastrophic Impact’ 

-- Beaver Times: President-Friendly Fayette County Could Feel The Pain Of Medicaid Cuts, Advocates Say

-- Post-Gazette: Contentious Federal ICE Partnership In Bucks County Set To End After Voters Oust Incumbent Sheriff

-- Politics PA: Pennsylvania Inadvertently Making Drivers’ License Data Available To Federal ICE

-- PennLive: Brother Of Federal ICE Detainee Found Hanging In Shower Stall In Clearfield County ICE Facility Is ‘Devastated,’ Demands Answers

-- More Than 100 PA Businesses, Environmental Groups, Civic Leaders Write PUC Urging Action On Reforms To Speed Local Connections To Grid To Increase Energy Supplies, Resiliency, Affordability  [PaEN] 

-- Time Running Out To Use Expiring Federal Tax Credits For Solar Energy Installations; Join The 45 Southeast PA Communities That Already Have [Congressional Republicans Ended Credits]  [PaEN] 

-- Inquirer: Philadelphia Mint Makes Last Penny After 232-Year Run At President’s Direction

-- New Federal Administration

-- York Dispatch Editorial: Displaced Hate And Republicans

-- TribLive/USA Today: President Warns Republicans After He’s Named In Epstein Emails

-- Federal Government

-- PA Capital-Star: Federal Shutdown Ends, But More Federal Chaos Looms For Pennsylvania, Other States

-- PennLive Editorial: The Shutdown Has Ended, But PA’s Healthcare Emergency Is Just Beginning

-- TribLive/Reuters: President Signs Deal To End Longest US Government Shutdown In History

-- Republican Herald Editorial: Congressional Republicans Now Obligated To Act To Extend Measures To Reduce Cost Of Health Insurance

-- PennLive - John Baer: Democrats Are Acting Like Democrats, Stuff Is Getting Done; Is Normal Creeping Into Politics?

-- TribLive Editorial: Ending Government Stalemates Doesn’t Negate Damage

-- TribLive/Reuters: US Senate Passes Bill To End Government Shutdown, Sends To US House

-- TribLive/Reuters: US Senate Advances Bill To End Federal Shutdown 

-- PA’s Role In Assault On US Capitol

-- Post-Gazette/AP: President Issues 2nd Pardon For New Charges Against Individual Participating In The Assault On US Capital

-- AP: President Pardons Rudy Giuliani, Fake Electors, Others Who Backed Efforts To Overturn 2020 Election, Official Says

-- Miscellaneous State/Harrisburg Politics

-- York Dispatch Editorial: Displaced Hate And Republicans

-- Spotlight PA: Major Cases Awaiting Decisions From PA’s Highest Courts

-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: Gov. Shapiro Files To Discontinue PA Supreme Court Appeal Of RGGI Rule After State Budget Deal [RGGI Was Never Implemented]

-- Spotlight PA: Washington County Charging People To Search Public Court Documents, An Unusual, Undue Burden Experts Say

-- A.I. /Data Centers

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - November 17  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Justice: What Happens When A.I. Data Centers Come To Town? -- Environmental, Economic, Grid Impacts  [PaEN]  

-- Ohio River Valley Institute Blog: Why A.I. Data Centers Will Be Economic Development Duds In Pennsylvania

-- Scranton Times: Archbald Borough Has 29 A.I. Data Center Buildings Proposed Within A Mile Of Eynon-Jermyn Road; Will Demands For Power, Water On Wildlife Strain Community In Lackawanna County?  [PDF of Article]

-- AP: Proposed A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Energy Demand Forecasts, Prices; States Want Proof They’ll Get Built  [PJM, PA Focus] 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/AP: Future A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Forecasts For Energy Demand, Prices; States Want Proof They’ll Get Built

-- Fortune: Your Soaring Electric Bill-- Driven By A.I. Data Centers, Surging Natural Gas Exports-- Has Replaced The Price At The Pump As The Hot-Button, Political Bellwether

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Rise Of A.I. Data Centers Prompts Lawmakers To Seek More Say Over Electric Grid Load Forecasts In Budget Settlement

-- Financial Times: ‘Phantom’ A.I. Data Centers Muddy Forecasts For US Power Needs

-- Inside Climate News: A.I. Data Center Use Of Diesel Generators For Backup Power Is Commonplace And Problematic

-- International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

-- AAA Average Gasoline Prices: National- $3.08  Ohio- $3.07  PA- $3.29

-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs - 17 - Same Last 7 Weeks

-- US EIA: Natural Gas Prices To Increase 16% In 2026, Driven By LNG Gas Exports 

-- AP: Proposed A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Energy Demand Forecasts, Prices; States Want Proof They’ll Get Built  [PJM, PA Focus]

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Rise Of A.I. Data Centers Prompts Lawmakers To Seek More Say Over Electric Grid Load Forecasts In Budget Settlement

-- Fortune: Your Soaring Electric Bill-- Driven By A.I. Data Centers, Surging Natural Gas Exports-- Has Replaced The Price At The Pump As The Hot-Button, Political Bellwether

-- US EIA: Electricity Prices To Continue Rise In 2026 Driven By A.I. Data Center Demand

-- Bloomberg: Signs Are Emerging Increasing Risk Of Polar Vortex Conditions, Higher Winter Power Bills From US To Europe 

-- Environmental Justice: What Happens When A.I. Data Centers Come To Town? -- Environmental, Economic, Grid Impacts  [PaEN]  

-- Ohio River Valley Institute Blog: Why A.I. Data Centers Will Be Economic Development Duds In Pennsylvania

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - November 17  [PaEN] 

-- Utility Dive: National State Utility Commission Task Force Says US Needs More Natural Gas Storage To Support Generation For Electric Grid, Stopped Short Of Recommending Gas Reliability Organization 

-- Bloomberg: Germany Cuts Huge Plan To Build Gas-Fired Power Plants In Half In Favor Of Clean Energy, Storage, Energy Efficiency 

-- Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Explosion

-- WPXI: 3 Months After US Steel Clairton Coke [Coal] Works, Doctors Speak Exclusively With Channel 11 

-- Education

-- The Center Square: Taxpayer Funded Private Cyber Charter Schools Brace For Funding Reform Impact

-- PennLive: How PA’s Largest Taxpayer-Funded Private Cyber Charter School Discourages Public Participation

-- Post-Gazette: PA Standardized Education Test Scores Show Mixed Results

-- The Center Square: State Educational Assessment Test Results Released For 2024-25 School Year

-- LancasterOnline: State Funding ‘Not Keeping Up With Reality’ For Lancaster County School Districts

-- TribLive: Penn State Sets Dec. 9 Virtual Update On 7 Regional Campuses Scheduled To Close 

-- Health Care

-- The Center Square: With New State Budget, Home Care Industry Left Wanting

-- TribLive: PA’s Independent Home Care Workers Get Pay Raise In State Budget But Most Miss Out 

-- Spotlight PA: Funding Cuts, Lawsuits, Fear Derailed PA’s Plan To Close State Hospitals, Invest In Community Mental Health Care

-- Beaver Times: President-Friendly Fayette County Could Feel The Pain Of Medicaid Cuts, Advocates Say

-- TribLive: UPMC Altoona Employee Attack Spurs Demand For Enhanced Workplace Safety

-- PennLive Editorial: The Shutdown Has Ended, But PA’s Healthcare Emergency Is Just Beginning

-- Law Enforcement

-- Spotlight PA: Major Cases Awaiting Decisions From PA’s Highest Courts

-- Casino.org: Pennsylvania Skill Gaming Firms Liable For 2020 Murder, Estate Awarded $15.3 Million

-- TribLive: Police Seek Surveillance Video After KKK Flyers Found In Tarentum, Brackenridge, Allegheny County 

-- Post-Gazette: Beaver County Family Loses Lawsuit Over Finding Giant Swastika-Tiled Floor Under Run In Newly Bought Home

-- Post-Gazette: Contentious Federal ICE Partnership In Bucks County Set To End After Voters Oust Incumbent Sheriff

-- Politics PA: Pennsylvania Inadvertently Making Drivers’ License Data Available To Federal ICE

-- PennLive: Brother Of Federal ICE Detainee Found Hanging In Shower Stall In Clearfield County ICE Facility Is ‘Devastated,’ Demands Answers

-- The Economy

-- Inquirer: Philadelphia Mint Makes Last Penny After 232-Year Run At President’s Direction

Other

-- TribLive: Federal Court Sides With Striking Post-Gazette Workers; PG Will Appeal Decision

[Posted: November 16, 2025]