Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, October 12, 2026

Pennsylvania

PA Supreme Court Denies Skill Games Deadline Extension

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected requests to extend its upcoming deadline requiring businesses to remove skill game machines across the commonwealth, leaving in place a mandate that makes the devices illegal after Tuesday. The court denied emergency petitions filed by a bipartisan trio of state lawmakers, including State Senators Gene Yaw (R-23) and Anthony Williams (D-8) and Representative Jonathan Fritz (R-111), and 20 charitable organizations that sought to delay enforcement until February to give the General Assembly more time to establish a regulatory and tax structure. The state attorney general’s office successfully opposed the extension, arguing that the request was submitted too late, individual legislators lacked legal standing, and the original 120-day stay provided ample opportunity for legislative action following the court’s June decision classifying the machines as slot devices subject to state gaming laws.

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Governor Shapiro Signs Seven Bills Into Law

Governor Josh Shapiro signed seven bills into law covering municipal planning, tax collection, and state standards. SB1287, sponsored by Senator Dawn Keefer (R-31), mandates that proof of an adequate water supply be provided to a municipality prior to final approval for land development or a subdivision. SB1240, introduced by Senators Scott Hutchinson (R-21) and Nick Pisciottano (D-45), makes a minor revision to the licensing requirements for certified public accountants. SB468, introduced by Senator Wayne Langerholc (R-35), creates an interstate compact focused on drone education, training, testing, and safety. HB1442, introduced by Representative Lisa Borowski (D-168) and known as Morgan Rose’s Law, mandates that all autopsies evaluate whether a death resulted directly from epilepsy or a seizure and record Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy as the official cause when applicable. HB853, introduced by Representative Joe Webster (D-150), closes a loophole to permit tax collectors to recover reasonable expenses on delinquent business taxes. HB852, also introduced by Representative Joe Webster (D-150), was enacted alongside HB853 as a companion measure. Finally, HB513, introduced by Representative Eric Davanzo (R-58), updates state standards for establishing and referencing coordinates within geographic data sets.

Pittsburgh

Pitt Subpoenaed in Federal Visa Investigation

The University of Pittsburgh confirmed it has received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Labor after Vice President JD Vance named the school as one of nine elite universities under federal investigation for potential visa fraud. The probe centers on the institutions’ use of J-1 visas for international graduate students and academic researchers, with Vice President Vance alleging the schools are exploiting the program as a source of cheap labor to fill federally funded positions and undercut the wages of American researchers. While university officials stated they are reviewing the subpoena and maintain that their participation in visa programs complies with all federal requirements, the investigation is part of a broader administration crackdown on high-skilled immigration programs that also includes suspending green card issuances for certain corporate employees.

Ballot Question Weighs Allegheny County Council Resources

Voters in Allegheny County will decide on a November ballot referendum proposing to repeal charter restrictions that prohibit County Council members from receiving county funding for personal staff, district offices, and fringe benefits like health insurance and pensions. While approval would not automatically grant these perks, requiring separate legislative votes while keeping council’s budget capped at 0.4% of property tax revenues, proponents argue the measure provides needed flexibility, broadens candidate accessibility, and strengthens council’s oversight capacity alongside the county executive. Opponents, including local party leaders and several council members, counter that the move threatens the body’s founding design as a part-time citizen legislature and represents an unnecessary taxpayer burden amid broader county fiscal strains and rising living costs.

Allegheny County Paid Leave Bill Advances to Full Council

Allegheny County Council’s Committee on Health voted 5-1 to advance County Executive Sara Innamorato’s proposed 12-week paid parental leave mandate to the full council, setting up a potential final vote as early as October 20. The measure moved forward after earlier revisions reduced the leave duration from 18 to 12 weeks, established a six-month employment requirement for eligibility, and exempted small businesses with fewer than 15 employees. 

Federal

DHS Claim Linking Arrest to PA Congressional Campaign

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have drawn sharp pushback from Democrats and government watchdogs after issuing a press release that connected the arrest of a Nigerian man for indecent exposure to Democratic congressional nominee Janelle Stelson, who is challenging Representative Scott Perry (R-PA-10). The federal release, relying on a report quoting a conservative activist, alleged that the man was canvassing for Stelson’s campaign after police noted campaign fliers inside his vehicle, prompting nonpartisan watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington to file a Hatch Act complaint alleging unlawful use of official government authority to influence an election. Stelson’s campaign strongly denied ever employing or knowing the individual, noting no payments exist in Federal Election Commission records, and signaled potential legal action alongside cease-and-desist letters to outlets reporting the agency’s claim as fact, even as conservative groups began using the allegations in campaign advertisements.

Representative Fitzpatrick Moves to Block President Trump’s Russia Oil Deal

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) announced plans to introduce the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act and utilize a discharge petition to force a House vote blocking Russian oil purchases, directly challenging President Donald Trump’s recent agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets. While President Trump promoted the deal as a way to lower fuel prices and called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelensky with a leader willing to negotiate with Russia, President Zelensky criticized the arrangement as unfair, and critics warn it could help fund Russia’s war effort while energy analysts doubt it will meaningfully reduce fuel costs. Representative Fitzpatrick, who co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, has already secured the support of retiring Representative Don Bacon (R-NE-2) to help gather the 218 signatures needed to bypass House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-4), though the measure faces a tight legislative timeline before the current Congress ends in January, uncertain unanimous Democratic backing prior to the November midterms, the hurdle of Senate approval, and a potential presidential veto.

President Trump Urges Senator Fetterman to Switch Parties

President Donald Trump publicly encouraged Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) to switch political parties and join the GOP ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, which could determine control of the U.S. Senate. While Senator Fetterman has increasingly broken with his party on issues such as immigration and Israel and recently praised Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) in a convention video, he has repeatedly rejected the idea of leaving the Democratic Party, noting that he still votes overwhelmingly with his current caucus. Although his strained relationship with fellow Democrats could complicate a future primary bid for renomination, Democrats are currently looking to pick up four seats to secure a 51-seat Senate majority amid economic challenges from the war in Iran, a scenario that would place Senator Fetterman in a highly influential position and reduce any incentive to change his party affiliation.

Cozen Corner

From the Beltway to City Hall: The Expanding Reach of Government Investigations

Government investigations are no longer just a Washington story. From city councils to state attorneys general to Congress, oversight is becoming more interconnected, and organizations need to understand how local developments can quickly become national issues and vice versa. Featuring Public Strategies’ Rose Christ (NY), Sean Clerget (DC), and Katie Schwab (NY). Click here to listen.

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