February
Kiley Bense, Pennsylvania Must Act to Limit Greenhouse Gasses, Layers Argue, Pennsylvania Capital-Starr (Feb. 10, 2026), Bense reports that a group of lawyers demand action on a petition first submitted in 2018 which stated the Commonwealth is obligated under the Environmental Rights Amendment to reduce greenhouse gasses. The petitioners want Pennsylvania to adopt a version of California’s SAVER regulation, imposing an economy-wide cap-and-trade system. The lawyers recognize that the legislature is often gridlocked and urge alternative methods for the state to take action, such as enforcement by the Environmental Quality Board.
What to Know About Free Speech at Penn State, U-Wire (Feb. 10, 2026), the article reports on Penn State’s policies concerning students’ exercising their right to speak freely. As a public university, Penn State extends its students’ constitutional protections but regulates expression through policy AD51, which permits protests and demonstrations subject to reasonable “time, place, and manner” restrictions, such as limits on noise, location, and obstruction of campus operations. In practice, even controversial speech is usually allowed, though events may be modified or canceled if they violate these rules or raise safety concerns.
March
Joshua Hill, Beyond the Mirror: The Unique Protections of the Pennsylvania Constitution, JD Supra (March 4, 2026), this article highlights the “often overlooked” Pennsylvania constitutional protections that lawyers can utilize to make better arguments for their clients. Hill explains the robust and unique nature of Pennsylvania’s constitution protections and provides a list of particularly relevant constitutional provisions alongside the court’s general holdings of each provision.
Kate Huangpu, Will Independents Ever Get to Vote in Pa. Primaries? Advocates Hope Lawsuit Moves the Needle, Tribune-Review (PA) (Mar. 12, 2026), Huangpu reports that Pennsylvania remains one of the few states with a closed primary system, allowing only registered Democrats and Republicans to vote in party primaries, which excludes over a million unaffiliated voters from key electoral decisions. Advocates argue the current system is unfair because independent voters fund elections with their taxes yet lack equal influence. Frustrated by legislative inaction, reform groups have turned to the courts, filing a lawsuit claiming the system violates Article I, Section 5’s guarantee of free and equal elections by giving partisan voters more power. Progress remains uncertain because of political divisions and competing political priorities.
Emmanuella Pierre, Tax Relief Bill for Veterans Passes in PA House, Pocono Record (Mar. 29, 2026), Pierre reports that legislation to amend the Constitution to broaden eligibility under the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption Program was approved by the House with a 196-6 vote. The proposal focuses on removing barriers that prevent some veterans from receiving relief by allowing the tax exemption for all veterans deemed 100% disabled, regardless of whether their service was in combat.
May
Eric Scicchitano, Constitutional Carry Bill Advances in Pa. Senate on Party-Line Vote, The Tribune-Democrat (May 6, 2026), Scicchitano reports that the Senate Republican majority carried a bill through committee seeking to enact constitutional carry, which would end the need for a license to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania. Republican lawmakers claim the proposed law adds another layer of protection in Pennsylvania that the safety and welfare of the people cannot be guaranteed by criminalizing fundamental freedoms. On the other hand, Democratic lawmakers believe the current state of gun ownership laws in the Commonwealth is constitutionally sufficient and there is no need for this new legislation. Regardless, Scicchitano believes that the bill will likely expire without further consideration in the Democratically-controlled state House.
Andrew Forgotch, Bonner Introduces Resolution to Establish Uniform Bill Standards in Pennsylvania, Targeted News Service (May 12, 2026), the author reports that Representative Tim Bonner introduced a bill that he believes can be the first step in creating a uniform bail process across the Commonwealth. House Resolution 519 calls for the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission to gather data from all Pennsylvania’s counties and develop a system of “fair, consistent bail setting recommendations to assist courts across the Commonwealth.” The resolution has been submitted the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
Ian Karbal, Advocates Push for Pennsylvania to Leave its Closed Primary System Behind, Pennsylvania Capital-Star (May 18, 2026), Karbal reports that interest and advocacy groups are pushing to end the Commonwealth’s closed primary election system. Pennsylvania is one of eight states with closed primary elections. The advocates are beginning to argue that closed primaries violate the free and equal elections clause of the Constitution by disempowering independent voters and those registered to third parties. Karbal highlights a bill proposed this session that would allow independents to vote in partisan elections.
June
Bruce Ledewitz, Did Justice Wecht Issue an Improper Public Statement?, The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle (June 2, 2026), Ledewitz writes regarding Justice Wecht’s public statement in early May 2026 announcing his split from the Democratic party and reasons why. Ledewitz questions whether his comments condemning the modern Democratic party were appropriate given just months earlier, he ran a successful retention election as a Democrat. Regardless of if Justice Wech was correct in his accusations, Ledewitz argues that the comments were not prudent.
Hallie Lauer, City of Pittsburgh Quietly Reverses Course on Legal Challenges to Tax-Exempt Properties, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (June 10, 2026), Lauer reports that Mayor Corey O’Conner’s administration is withdrawing many ongoing property appeals that, if successful, would force large nonprofit organizations to contribute more money in property taxes. This marks a significant change from the previous administration’s approach, which was focused on ensuring large corporations paid their fair share of property tax. Instead, O’Conner is going to these corporations and asking for money—an approach which has already raised more than $18 million in contributions. This is part of a larger attempt to build partnerships with nonprofits, instead of a lawsuit-filled, hostile environment.