Jaxon White

6 days ago | lancasteronline.com | Jaxon White

Pennsylvania’s state senators and representatives hire professional staff in Harrisburg who mostly work quietly in the background, focusing on the gritty details of legislation and regulation. And the longer your Watchdog author spends in Harrisburg, the clearer it is to him that many legislative aides have walked the Capitol halls longer than their elected bosses.

1 week ago | lancasteronline.com | Jaxon White

Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Farnum Street Towers in Lancaster on Wednesday to tout legislation he pitched earlier this year to address Pennsylvania’s housing crisis in his state budget. The first-term Democrat spoke about his support for sealing certain eviction records, as well as his proposals for an additional $10 million for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, $50 million for new statewide housing repairs, and $10 million for first-time homebuyers.

1 week ago | lancasteronline.com | Jaxon White

HARRISBURG — At least one top House Democrat is on the record opposing a proposal to pass a short-term budget before the June 30 deadline to fund public schools and vital services while the U.S. Congress finalizes a budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. The idea for a temporary budget was put forward by two leading Republican senators.

2 weeks ago | lancasteronline.com | Jaxon White

Retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and LGBTQ+ advocate Sarah Klimm filed paperwork to challenge U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker in next year’s midterm election. Klimm, 50, a transgender woman and York County native, submitted a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination in the 11th congressional district, which covers Lancaster County and the southern half of York County.

2 weeks ago | lancasteronline.com | Jaxon White

Efforts in Congress to slash federal spending continue to add “unpredictability” to Pennsylvania budget negotiations just three weeks before the state spending plan is due, according to state Sen. Scott Martin. The Martic Township Republican chairs the powerful Appropriations Committee, which can amend all budget-related bills before they reach the full Senate for a vote. He has a direct say in Senate GOP negotiations with Gov. Josh Shapiro and the majority-wielding House Democrats.