Kara Jeffers

Harrisburg

State Capitol Correspondent at WICU-TV / WSEE-TV (Erie, PA)

Reporter at Freelance

A journalist with a hankering for the truth. Erie News Now & WENY Elmira

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Articles

Treatment Court Awareness Month in Harrisburg

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

May is national treatment court awareness month, celebrating how these programs change lives while still enforcing justice. Lawmakers and several supreme court justices met this week to mark the month. There are 137 treatment courts active in the state. In 2023, there were around 1,900 admissions to the courts, with roughly 67% graduation rates. These courts are specifically for those whose crimes are connected to substance abuse and or mental health issues. “They work. The proof is in the pudding.
Sharing the Sunshine: Community Solar & Solar Decommissioning Bills Pass in Harrisburg

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

There is an energy supply crisis coming for Pennsylvania in the next few years; Democrats and Republicans remain divided on what role renewables—like solar energy—should play in solving the issue. Still, this week saw some consensus on smaller solar policies. On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill to create community solar in the state.
Fine Wine & Good Kush? PA House Passes Adult Use Cannabis Bill with State Store Model

1 week ago | erienewsnow.com | Kara Jeffers

A bill that legalizes adult use cannabis passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with a 102 to 101 vote on party lines. Democrats are touting success— this was the first time cannabis legalization had a vote on the House floor. Both Democrat and Republican lawmakers who support legalization, dislike that the bill adopts a state store model for selling cannabis products. There are also still lawmakers, on both sides of the aisle, that remain opposed to any cannabis legalization.
Voting on the Mind; Lawmakers Pass Election Reform Bills Out of Committee

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

Pennsylvania state lawmakers are not on the ballot this year, but they still have elections on the mind. The House State Government Committee voted on two bills today that would bring significant election reform if passed in the House and Senate. The two bills voted on today set up some potential negotiating tools in Harrisburg as the June 30 budget deadline draws ever closer. House bill 771 would require Pennsylvanians to show some form of voter ID every time they vote at the polls.
Beagles Rally for New Animal Testing Regulations in Harrisburg

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

There was a lot of howling going on in the Pennsylvania state capitol today, as beagles and their owners rallied for better animal research laws. This whole thing started three years ago, when hundreds of beagles were rescued from a breeding facility that sold the dogs for scientific research projects. That breeder plead guilty to federal animal cruelty charges, and many of the beagles were adopted by Pennsylvania families.
Pennsylvania Senate Votes on Transgender Student Athletes Bill

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

The Pennsylvania Senate voted on a bill this afternoon that would ban transgender student athletes participating in women sports at public schools. The bill passed by 32-18 votes in favor. The bill is expected to be dead on arrival at the Democrat controlled House. Senate Bill 9 says that biological males cannot compete in women sports at K-12 public schools or public higher education institutions. Senator Judy Ward (R-Blair) sponsored the bill.
Nurse Practitioners Advocate for Full Practice Authority

1 week ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

Since 2013, every year, the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners swarm Harrisburg, advocating for full practice authority. Today was this year’s annual rally. “Pennsylvania is in the throes of a healthcare provider shortage, and it’s only set to get worse,” Amanda Laskoskie said, president of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. Laskoskie said that in rural areas specifically, doctor offices have decreased from 2010 to 2020.
Energy Charges into Harrisburg Policy Talks as Summer Budget Season Nears

2 weeks ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

Today, Democrats and Republicans hosted public hearings about what they see as energy solutions for the state. Pennsylvania is a leading energy producer in the United States, but when it comes to new projects and developments, lawmakers describe the energy sector as… sluggish. Rising concern about electric grid stability has brought conversations about energy production front and center in Harrisburg this year. However, its not just the growing demand for electricity that has politicians tuned in.
Swinging to a Popular Vote Using the Electoral College; Harrisburg Discusses

2 weeks ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

Voters across the United States are reflecting on the Trump administration’s first 100 days— and researching candidates for local positions like mayor and city council ahead of the May primary election. Politician popularity is on the mind. In Harrisburg, lawmakers tackled one of the classic popularity debates of the modern era… how should the President be elected? A Pew Research poll from last fall says 63% of Americans want the president to be elected directly by the people.
Nursing Homes Shorted by PA State Budget Formula

2 weeks ago | weny.com | Kara Jeffers

The budget gaps for Pennsylvania nursing homes have grown larger since the Pandemic, but part of the fiscal shortfalls link back to a state budget choice made almost 20 years ago. “Since the pandemic, more than 30 long term care facilities and nursing homes have been shut down in the state,” Rep. Ryan Bizzarro said, who has sponsored legislation to address this issue. Nursing homes lost many residents during the height of COVID-19.