Opinion
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Opinion: To achieve gender equality, our state legislators must pass paid leave NOW
In this op-ed, Rachele Fortier, State Director of Family Friendly Pennsylvania, explains the importance of passing the Family Care Act to establish a bipartisan statewide paid family and medical leave program. This program is crucial for achieving gender equality, supporting mothers’ health, stabilizing the workforce, improving business productivity, and maintaining the state’s economic growth.
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Opinion: PA Mother Asks the Legislature to Approve the ID/A Budget
In this op-ed, Pennsylvania resident Colleen Tomko, parent of an adult son with Intellectual Disability and Autism (ID/A) discusses the importance of increasing the 2024-25 budget for the ID/A community.
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Opinion: Empowering and investing in Pittsburgh’s communities of color helps the entire city
In this op-ed, Khamil Bailey, co-Founder and Executive Director of the Greenwood Plan, shares her journey from growing up confronting systemic racism in East Orange, New Jersey, to witnessing injustice and building community among Black residents of Pittsburgh. She highlights her work to support Black entrepreneurs through initiatives like Cocoapreneur and the Greenwood Plan, emphasizing…
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Opinion: We organize in North Philly. We know Trump is a threat to our freedoms and futures.
In this op-ed, Pennsylvania-based progressive leaders Steve Paul, director of One Pennsylvania, and Salaah Muhammad, Organizing Director of the PA Working Families Party, express their disdain for Donald Trump’s policies that threaten Pennsylvanians’ freedoms by aiming to restrict abortion rights and control personal healthcare decisions. As Trump holds a rally in Philadelphia this weekend, Paul…
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Opinion: I’m fighting for my health, don’t make it harder for me—The case for contraceptive access
In this op-ed, college student and Pennsylvania resident Julie Wright recounts her struggle with irregular periods and diagnosis of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), emphasizing the critical role contraceptives play in managing her condition. She argues for the necessity of accessible contraceptive options, challenging the stigma and underscoring their importance for overall health.
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Opinion: Rendell—Lawmakers shouldn’t fall for ‘skill game’ scheme that would undercut state tax payers
In this op-ed, former Governor Edward Rendell reflects on negotiating the 2004-2005 State Budget twenty years ago, which included passing the Gaming Act that introduced casino gaming to the Commonwealth. He advises lawmakers to avoid being deceived by “skill game” devices.
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Opinion: The power of participation— engaging in democracy beyond the ballot
Olivia DeShong, a 17-year-old Pennsylvania resident, shares her dedication to political engagement inspired by John Lewis’s belief in the power of voting. She has devoted her high school years to actively registering voters in Pennsylvania and promoting democracy to ensure a true representation of America’s beliefs.
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Opinion: Green or Greed? The Stark Contrast Between Biden and Trump’s Environmental Policies
As summer arrives and we enjoy more time outdoors, it’s hard not to notice the huge differences in environmental policies between the two presidential candidates. Trump’s focus on fossil fuels and weakening protections has hurt states like Pennsylvania. In contrast, President Biden is investing in clean energy, environmental health, and creating green jobs, offering a…
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Opinion: The Governor’s Education Budget is a No-Brainer
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania strongly supports Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 Pennsylvania budget proposes a historic increase in K-12 public education funding. There are clear benefits of investing in education, however, the State Senate hesitates, preferring tax cuts over addressing severe funding inequities that have left poorer districts underfunded and increases local tax…
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Opinion: Families of disabled anxious as budget discussions begin
As Pennsylvania budget discussion begins, families of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities/Autism (ID/A) and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in Pennsylvania are anxiously awaiting the General Assembly’s decision on Governor Josh Shapiro’s FY 24/25 budget which aims to address critical underfunding and improve support services.
