• Legislative Activity

 
The Legislature only has several legislative session days remaining in 2021. Items up for consideration that could be considered in December include: 
 

• HB2071, which creates an independent state authority to oversee broadband development due to $100million heading to PA in federal infrastructure bill, detailed below.
• SB382 that establishes legislative oversight of public-private partnership (P3) projects.
• HB 1300  regarding voting/election reform
• SB448 which expands the ability for conceal/carry of firearms.

 
Some of these issues could be delayed into 2022 and become part of the annual budget negotiations, along with allocations of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).   As reported by PLS, Emily Maher, senior policy specialist, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) stated ARPA funding may fall into four “buckets,” including offsetting the emergency and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, premium pay for essential employees, grants to employers, or government services affected by revenue reduction. She added ineligible uses include funding pensions, tax cuts to offset revenue and depositing the funds into 

​Election Update
Judicial, county, municipal and school board races were conducted on Tuesday, November 2nd. For the State Supreme Court, Republican Kevin Brobson won over Democrat Maria McLaughlin, but the majority stays 5-2. Another Republican, Megan Sullivan, won for Superior court against Democrat Timika Lane and two Republicans won races for the Commonwealth Court - Stacy Wallace and Drew Crompton over Democrat opponents Lori Dumas and David Spurgeon.
Election day also saw two special elections

​The Pennsylvania Legislature has returned to Harrisburg for the Fall Legislative Session.  They are likely to focus on items such as extend the COVID-19 regulatory waivers and returning Pennsylvania back to full employment and stabilize the economy while mitigating the continued effects of the pandemic.
 
The Legislature will also debate both Congressional and State Legislative Districts based on the recent US Census and take up more controversial items such as not requiring masks in schools and audits of the 2020 election results.