Pennsylvania House

Iowa Democrats flipped two state Senate seats in special elections last year, breaking the GOP supermajority. Democrats aim to expand gains in November, with the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking potential flips in 10 Republican-held chambers. Voter dissatisfaction and high prices are influencing election dynamics.

Pennsylvania Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic effort to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour with annual cost-of-living increases. The House had passed the bill, but Senate rules prevented debate on its contents during a procedural vote, leading to a party-line split. Neighboring states have higher minimum wages than Pennsylvania’s current $7.25.

Pennsylvania's House passed a bill to ban ride-share companies from using surveillance pricing based on personal data. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Andre Carroll, aims to prevent price discrimination by services like Uber and Lyft, and will now move to the Senate for consideration.

The Pennsylvania House passed legislation allowing municipalities to pause data center applications for 180 days while adopting guidelines, alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro’s voluntary standards offering tax exemptions and expedited permits. A conflicting bill removed the sales tax exemption, complicating the governor’s plan, with all proposals now awaiting Senate approval.

The Pennsylvania House passed a $1.7 billion tax cut on electricity, capping utility company profits and eliminating a 6% gross receipts tax on electricity. The bill, HB 2224, aims to lower utility bills for consumers by establishing a formula for a 'reasonable return' on utility investments and introducing a competitive equity auction process.

The Pennsylvania House voted to tax digital advertising revenue from tech companies to fund property tax rebates for seniors. The bipartisan 139-63 vote expands a 5% gross receipts tax, targeting firms like Meta and Google, with projected revenue of $329 million by 2026-2027. Critics argue the tax could harm businesses or drive companies out of the state.

A Pennsylvania House bill requiring gun owners to lock firearms in safes or use locking devices when not in use advanced over GOP objections. The bill includes a sales tax exemption for gun locks and safes but faced criticism from Republicans who argue it hinders self-defense. The measure passed the Judiciary Committee on a 16-14 vote.

The Pennsylvania House passed a bill to ban student cellphone use during school days starting in the 2027-2028 school year, with exceptions for specific needs like medical conditions or language barriers. The bipartisan vote was 126-75, with supporters citing a public health crisis and opponents raising concerns about local school board autonomy.