HARRISBURG – Two years after a court threw out language that extended the state’s hate-crimes law to protect gays, women, and the disabled, a bill to reinstate those protections has cleared its first hurdle in the General Assembly.
After an 18-8 bipartisan vote in the House Judiciary Committee yesterday, the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Josh Shapiro (D., Montgomery), predicted approval by the full House early next year. The bill may face a tougher test in the Republican-controlled state Senate.
“It’s critical that we provide the protections of laws in this commonwealth to all – particularly those who are targeted with hate-inspired violence,” Shapiro said.
Archive of posts for November, 2009:
2009
Nov
18
Pa. House panel approves hate-crimes bill
2009
Nov
13
Lawmaker says charges could breathe life into reform efforts
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Mike Wereschagin writes:
Attorney General Tom Corbett’s charges against top House Republicans likely will spur the Legislature to move more quickly on matters involving good government, a Democratic House member said.
Corbett on Thursday charged nine people, including a lawmaker, former legislator and eight of their aides, with theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest in a long-running corruption probe that last year ensnared 12 House Democrats.
The latest grand jury presentment reached into the inner sanctum of state leadership with charges against former House Speaker John Perzel of Philadelphia.
2009
Nov
11
State House panel to weigh texting-while-driving ban
John L. Micek writes in The Morning Call:
A bill slated to come before the House Transportation Committee as early as today would ban texting by all drivers. Adult drivers could still use cell phones. Junior and trainee drivers would be barred from texting or using cell phones.
(…)
State lawmakers have been trying for a decade to get drivers to hang up their hand-held cell phones when they’re on the road. In the last few years, lawmakers have also tried to ban texting while driving.
2009
Nov
10
Join Josh Shapiro for Political Quizzo
Tuesday, December 1st | 7:00-9:30PM
Vintage Bar & Grill
1116 Old York Road
Abington, PA 19001
Admission is $15 per person, or $40 per team of 4*. The game will start promptly at 7:30. Drink specials and appetizers will be available. For more information or to RSVP, email info@joshshapiro.org or call
(215) 880-7376.
* Please note you must be 21 years or older with a valid ID to attend. See you there!
