States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
Oklahoma Supreme Court Sides With Drummond in Tribal Hunting, Fishing Dispute
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 25 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Oklahoma Supreme Court sides with Drummond in tribal hunting, fishing dispute
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's legal opinion protecting tribal members' right to hunt and fish on their reservations survived a challenge at the Oklahoma Supreme Court, after the justices unanimously rejected Gov. Kevin Stitt's attempt to strike it down.
The governor and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) had asked the state's highest court to step in
... Show Full Article
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 25 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Oklahoma Supreme Court sides with Drummond in tribal hunting, fishing dispute
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's legal opinion protecting tribal members' right to hunt and fish on their reservations survived a challenge at the Oklahoma Supreme Court, after the justices unanimously rejected Gov. Kevin Stitt's attempt to strike it down.
The governor and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) had asked the state's highest court to step inand strike down AG Opinion 2025-19. Yesterday, every justice on the Court ruled to refuse that request, which leaves Drummond's opinion in effect. The opinion declares that federal law prevents Oklahoma from arresting and prosecuting tribal members for hunting and fishing on their own native lands.
"This ruling is another rejection of Gov. Stitt's unlawful campaign against tribal citizens exercising their long-held rights," said Drummond. "The Court would not be used as a tool to override settled federal law and decades of cooperative wildlife management. My position has never wavered: federal law is clear, and it is my duty to uphold it."
Drummond issued the formal opinion in December after concluding that the state's enforcement actions were unlawful, wasteful and harmful to Oklahoma's relationships with tribal nations. The Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Nations, whose members had been targeted under the state's enforcement policy, have their own detailed wildlife codes that mirror the same conservation goals Oklahoma pursues.
The dispute will ultimately be resolved by the federal court, where a lawsuit filed by those three tribal nations is ongoing.
"It is time for Gov. Stitt and the ODWC to stand down, respect federal law and return to the collaborative partnership with tribal nations that has served Oklahoma's conservation interests for decades," said Drummond.
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/march/oklahoma-supreme-court-sides-with-drummond-in-tribal-hunting-fishing-dispute.html
Ohio State Audito: Finding for Recovery of $9,712.60 Issued Against Former Fiscal Officer for the Village of Windham Over Fees and Penalties From Late Payments
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 25 (TNSrep) -- Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Finding for Recovery of $9,712.60 Issued Against Former Fiscal Officer for the Village of Windham over Fees and Penalties from Late Payments
A finding for recovery of $9,712.60 was issued Tuesday against the former fiscal officer for the Village of Windham in Portage County over penalties and fees that resulted from late payments.
The finding against Katrina Washington was included in an audit of the village's finances from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024.
The
... Show Full Article
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 25 (TNSrep) -- Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Finding for Recovery of $9,712.60 Issued Against Former Fiscal Officer for the Village of Windham over Fees and Penalties from Late Payments
A finding for recovery of $9,712.60 was issued Tuesday against the former fiscal officer for the Village of Windham in Portage County over penalties and fees that resulted from late payments.
The finding against Katrina Washington was included in an audit of the village's finances from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024.
Thefull report is available online at ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/search.aspx.
Auditors determined that Washington, while serving as fiscal officer between January and June of 2024, was responsible for various penalties, interest and late fees.
Auditors noted, "...the failure to make timely payments and incur these late fees and penalties constitutes gross negligence."
Washington and her insurance company are jointly and severally liable for the finding.
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The Auditor of State's Office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.
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Original text here: http://ohioauditor.gov/news/pressreleases/Details/7821
News You Won't See on Fox News: California Revoked Over 280 Hospice Licenses, 300 More Providers Under Investigation Since Governor Newsom's Hospice Moratorium
SACRAMENTO, California, March 25 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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News you won't see on Fox News: California revoked over 280 hospice licenses, 300 more providers under investigation since Governor Newsom's hospice moratorium
What you need to know: California has been cracking down on hospice fraud for years -- with a statewide task force, a standing moratorium on new providers, and aggressive enforcement that's already revoked 280+ licenses and put hundreds more under investigation.
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California has spent years building one of
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, March 25 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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News you won't see on Fox News: California revoked over 280 hospice licenses, 300 more providers under investigation since Governor Newsom's hospice moratorium
What you need to know: California has been cracking down on hospice fraud for years -- with a statewide task force, a standing moratorium on new providers, and aggressive enforcement that's already revoked 280+ licenses and put hundreds more under investigation.
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California has spent years building one ofthe most comprehensive hospice fraud enforcement efforts in the country. Under Governor Gavin Newsom, the state established a multi-agency Hospice Fraud Task Force, strengthened program integrity oversight, and implemented a moratorium on new hospice licenses that remains in effect.
Today, Governor Newsom highlighted how this work is delivering results: over 280 hospice licenses have been revoked over the past two years, an additional 300 providers are under investigation, and 284 criminals have been arrested, all while new licenses are paused.
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California takes fraud extremely seriously and has zero tolerance for the abuse of public programs - especially those as sensitive as end-of-life care. That's why I advanced a moratorium on new hospice licenses four years ago and established the California Hospice Fraud Task Force. Through this coordinated effort, the state has been investigating and prosecuting fraudsters for years.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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Donald Trump guts fraud prevention
While California has been building stronger systems of accountability, the Trump administration has defunded and dismantled the federal government's ability to prevent and address fraud, with news outlets reporting that a federal effort to crack down on hospice fraud "has been put on hold by the Trump administration, resetting efforts to root out fraud and abuse in an industry that receives more than $25 billion from Medicare annually." Despite Trump's tolerance for fraud, including his pardons of convicted fraudsters who've bilked taxpayers for billions, recent social media posts from the Trump administration, including Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) leadership, continue to attack state efforts, including California's.
Holding fraudsters accountable
Since 2019, the state has announced hundreds of prosecutions through the California Department of Justice's Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA).
Since 2021, the California Department of Justice has investigated 101 criminal enterprises and 284 criminal defendants and filed 24 civil cases. To date, 109 individuals have been charged with hospice-related offenses.
California maintains strong oversight of Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Meanwhile, Medicare is a federally administered program overseen by CMS, not the state. Reports referencing hospice fraud involving Medicare fall under federal jurisdiction, not California's Medi-Cal program or state oversight.
California's enforcement actions
The Newsom administration has taken decisive, multi-pronged action to protect Medi-Cal members and taxpayer dollars from fraudulent hospice activity. When fraud is identified, the state acts decisively to protect members and taxpayer dollars. The state's response includes:
Proactive oversight: Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 664 (Chapter 494, Statutes of 2021) into law to ban new hospice licenses due to concerns about fraud and abuse in this sector and has extended this moratorium, halting growth in a sector vulnerable to abuse while strengthening oversight. This moratorium was extended through the Governor's signature of AB 177 (Chapter 999, Statutes of 2024).
Hospice Fraud Task Force: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) facilitates a multi-department and multi-agency Hospice Fraud Task Force that includes representation from the California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS), Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), California Department of Social Services (DSS), and California Department of Justice's DMFEA. Some of the highlights from this joint effort include:
* Improved information sharing and cross reporting among the agencies to allow them to pursue actions within their specific roles, with CDPH pursuing license revocation, DHCS working collaboratively with the federal government to conduct fraud investigations, and California Department of Justice considering cases for potential prosecution.
* Coordinated enforcement among agencies to suspend Medi-Cal payments and revoke licenses to operate.
Revocations: CDPH has revoked the licenses of more than 280 hospices in the past two years. CDPH has identified approximately 300 additional hospices that are being evaluated for revocation.
Robust Medi-Cal fraud detection systems: DHCS leverages sophisticated fraud detection systems to identify irregularities and trigger investigations, enabling rapid containment before improper payments are made.
Decisive steps once fraud is suspected: Once DHCS determines a credible allegation of fraud, DHCS swiftly stops payments, works with DMFEA to support potential criminal prosecution, and with CDPH to revoke hospice provider licenses. DHCS also alerts Medi-Cal managed care plans to stop payments, terminate contracts, and block further referrals and billing.
Strengthening hospice claiming rules and oversight: DHCS has updated its hospice claims systems and managed care requirements to block any hospice payments unless a valid provider/enrollee authorization form is verified, ensuring members have elected hospice care and preventing unauthorized billing. DHCS is also strengthening utilization management for hospice care, including prior authorization requirements.
Holding criminals accountable: Once fraud is confirmed, DMFEA makes arrests, prosecutes fraudsters, and recovers funds for Californians and the federal government.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/03/24/news-you-wont-see-on-fox-news-california-revoked-over-280-hospice-licenses-300-more-providers-under-investigation-since-governor-newsoms-hospice-moratorium/
Md. Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit Obtains $4 Million Settlement With Center for Vein Restoration to Resolve Allegations of Unnecessary Vein Treatment Procedures
BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 25 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit Obtains $4 Million Settlement with Center for Vein Restoration to Resolve Allegations of Unnecessary Vein Treatment Procedures
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that his office has reached a settlement with CVR Management, LLC, to resolve allegations that the company's multistate network of vascular medicine clinics billed government health programs for medically unnecessary vein treatment
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 25 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit Obtains $4 Million Settlement with Center for Vein Restoration to Resolve Allegations of Unnecessary Vein Treatment Procedures
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that his office has reached a settlement with CVR Management, LLC, to resolve allegations that the company's multistate network of vascular medicine clinics billed government health programs for medically unnecessary vein treatmentprocedures.
CVR Management, LLC, a professional services corporation based in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the operations of the Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), a group of practices and medical clinics operating in numerous states. CVR will pay the states and the federal government $4 million dollars, of which $604,365.07 will go to state Medicaid programs. Maryland, which led the state coalition, will get $168,763.36, to be shared with the federal government. The whistleblowers who initiated the case will receive $752,000 from the settlement.
"Marylanders trust that their doctors recommend care because it is medically necessary--not because it generates revenue," said Attorney General Brown. "This settlement sends a clear message: we will hold providers accountable when they put profits over patients and misuse public health dollars.
Specifically, the settlement resolves allegations that from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2016, CVR billed government health programs for unnecessary chronic venous insufficiency treatments. Chronic venous insufficiency is caused by the improper functioning of vein valves resulting in vein wall weakening that leads to varicose veins, cramping, swelling, discoloration, and sometimes ulcers or skin necrosis on the legs. It can be treated by sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser ablation. But government health programs will not pay for such treatments when used for purely cosmetic reasons. To warrant coverage, chronic venous insufficiency must be accompanied by certain other conditions and treatments must occur only after patients undergo specified alternative options that prove unsuccessful. A lengthy investigation found that CVR knowingly billed government health programs for sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and endovenous laser ablation procedures that were not clinically indicated and were medically unnecessary.
This settlement arises from a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit originally filed in 2015 in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland under the federal False Claims Act and various state false claims statutes. The settlement also resolves a second qui tam action filed in 2018 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that was subsequently consolidated into the Maryland case.
In making today's announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit Director Zak Shirley as well as Assistant Attorney General Raja Mishra for their work on the case. This case was resolved through a coordinated effort between state and federal partners, including the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland and the Attorneys General for the states of Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU) Team, led by Maryland, participated in the investigation and conducted settlement negotiations with CVR on behalf of the states.
The Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $7,119,096 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $2,373,032 for FY 2026, is funded by the State of Maryland.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General%e2%80%99s-Medicaid-Fraud-and-Vulnerable-Victims-Unit-Obtains--Million-Settlement-with-Center-for-Vein-Restoratio.aspx
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Advises Extending RSV Immunizations for Infants for an Additional Month
BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 25 -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued the following news release:
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health advises extending RSV immunizations for infants for an additional month
Recommendation extends the immunization window through April 30 because of ongoing elevated RSV activity
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a clinical advisory to health care providers recommending that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody immunizations continue to be administered to eligible infants through April 30,
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 25 -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued the following news release:
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health advises extending RSV immunizations for infants for an additional month
Recommendation extends the immunization window through April 30 because of ongoing elevated RSV activity
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a clinical advisory to health care providers recommending that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody immunizations continue to be administered to eligible infants through April 30,2026, in response to ongoing RSV activity across the state and throughout the region.
RSV monoclonal antibody immunizations are typically administered from October through March. The current RSV season, however, began later than usual, and it is continuing further into the spring. Surveillance data show sustained RSV activity in Massachusetts and surrounding states, prompting the extension of the immunization window beyond the usual March 31 endpoint.
"RSV continues to circulate at meaningful levels later into the spring than we typically see," said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. "Public health guidance must reflect the reality of the moment. Extending access to these preventive tools is about matching data and risk with proven measures that can prevent and protect our youngest residents from the most severe effects of this illness."
RSV, a common respiratory virus, is a leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the United States. While RSV often begins as a mild, cold-like illness, it can lead to serious conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. This illness can be particularly problematic for very young infants and those with underlying medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to the disease.
In the clinical advisory, DPH urged clinicians to assess the RSV immunization status of infants and encourage monoclonal antibody protection for those who are eligible and have not yet received the immunization during the current season.
Infants younger than 8 months of age should receive RSV monoclonal antibody immunization if their mother was not vaccinated during pregnancy, if maternal vaccination status is unknown, or if they were born within 14 days of maternal vaccination. Certain children aged 8 to 19 months are at increased risk for severe RSV disease - including those with chronic lung disease or prematurity, severe immunocompromise, cystic fibrosis, or other qualifying conditions - and should also receive RSV immunization.
"RSV remains the leading cause of serious respiratory tract infection in infants, and too many young children still are at risk of preventable hospitalization," said Larry Madoff, MD, Medical Director of DPH's Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. "We have a safe, effective way to reduce that risk, and extending access now will help to protect more infants while RSV continues to circulate. We will continue to closely monitor RSV trends and will adjust our approach based on real-time data and what we are seeing in communities across the Commonwealth."
This extension applies only to infant monoclonal antibody immunization for the 2025-2026 RSV season. The seasonal window for maternal RSV vaccination - September 1 through January 31 - remains unchanged and should not be extended, as maternal vaccination timing cannot be adjusted once pregnancy has progressed.
In addition to infant protection, RSV vaccination is recommended for older adults. Adults aged 75 and older and those aged 50 to 74 with certain underlying conditions should receive a one-time RSV vaccine dose. Unlike infant immunization, RSV vaccination for older adults is not seasonal and can be administered year-round.
For more information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Respiratory Illness Dashboard and review current American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on RSV prevention.
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Original text here: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-advises-extending-rsv-immunizations-for-infants-for-an-additional-month
Ga. A.G. Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit Indicts Seven for Assault at Muscogee County Jail
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 25 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit Indicts Seven for Assault at Muscogee County Jail
COLUMBUS, GA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that his office's Gang Prosecution Unit has indicted seven individuals in connection with an assault that occurred at the Muscogee County Jail on Oct. 4, 2025. The defendants, who were all in custody at the time of the incident, are alleged to have physically struck another inmate using their hands, feet, shanks, and chirp messaging
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 25 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit Indicts Seven for Assault at Muscogee County Jail
COLUMBUS, GA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that his office's Gang Prosecution Unit has indicted seven individuals in connection with an assault that occurred at the Muscogee County Jail on Oct. 4, 2025. The defendants, who were all in custody at the time of the incident, are alleged to have physically struck another inmate using their hands, feet, shanks, and chirp messagingdevices. The victim sustained facial injuries and fractures as a result of the altercation.
As asserted in the indictment, all seven defendants are members of the Goodfellas criminal street gang, and they are alleged to have targeted a rival gang member who is associated with the Gangster Disciples.
"Gang activity won't be tolerated in this state, no matter where it's found," Carr. "Our message is clear - if you're engaged in violent crime and putting lives at risk, we will not hesitate to prosecute you. This is exactly why we expanded our Gang Prosecution Unit to Columbus, and we're fighting each day to keep Georgians safe."
This case was investigated by the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office and the Attorney General's Gang Prosecution Unit, which has a regional office in Columbus.
Since 2022, Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit has worked with local, state, and federal law enforcement to secure five murder convictions and eight gang convictions in Columbus alone. This includes the successful prosecution of Rodderick Glanton, Homer Upshaw and Terrance Upshaw, who were each found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 17-year-old Jesse Ransom and 18-year-old Saiveon Pugh and the assault of two other teens, ages 16 and 18.
Muscogee County Indictment
On March 24, 2026, the Attorney General's Gang Prosecution Unit presented evidence to a Muscogee County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of all seven defendants.
Specifically, each defendant is facing the following charges:
Jaylen Paige, 24, of Columbus:
* 1 count of Aggravated Assault
* 1 count of Aggravated Battery
* 2 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 1 count of Unlawful Acts of Violence in a Penal Facility
* 1 count of Possession of Prohibited Items by Inmates
* 1 count of Interference with Government Property
Amileus Thomas, 27, of Columbus:
* 1 count of Aggravated Assault
* 1 count of Aggravated Battery
* 3 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 1 count of Unlawful Acts of Violence in a Penal Facility
* 1 count of Possession of Prohibited Items by Inmates
* 1 count of Interference with Government Property
Brandon Green, 24, of Columbus:
* 1 count of Aggravated Assault
* 1 count of Aggravated Battery
* 2 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 1 count of Unlawful Acts of Violence in a Penal Facility
* 1 count of Possession of Prohibited Items by Inmates
* 1 count of Interference with Government Property
Camario Carter, 19, of Columbus:
* 1 count of Aggravated Assault
* 1 count of Aggravated Battery
* 2 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 1 count of Unlawful Acts of Violence in a Penal Facility
* 1 count of Possession of Prohibited Items by Inmates
* 1 count of Interference with Government Property
Roannil Clanton, 21, of Columbus:
* 1 count of Aggravated Assault
* 1 count of Aggravated Battery
* 2 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 1 count of Unlawful Acts of Violence in a Penal Facility
* 1 count of Possession of Prohibited Items by Inmates
* 1 count of Interference with Government Property
Quentez Thrasher, 23, of Columbus:
* 1 count of Aggravated Assault
* 1 count of Aggravated Battery
* 2 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 1 count of Unlawful Acts of Violence in a Penal Facility
* 1 count of Possession of Prohibited Items by Inmates
* 1 count of Interference with Government Property
Taron Brewer, 19, of Columbus:
* 1 count of Aggravated Assault
* 1 count of Aggravated Battery
* 2 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 1 count of Unlawful Acts of Violence in a Penal Facility
* 1 count of Possession of Prohibited Items by Inmates
* 1 count of Interference with Government Property
No further information about the investigation or the indictment may be released at this time by the Attorney General's Office.
About the Attorney General's Gang Prosecution Unit
In 2022, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp and members of the General Assembly, Attorney General Chris Carr created Georgia's first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit.
Since it began its historic work on July 1, 2022, the Gang Prosecution Unit has investigated and prosecuted cases in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Bibb, Bryan, Chatham, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Dougherty, Fulton, Gwinnett, Laurens, Lowndes, Muscogee, Richmond, Spalding, Thomas, Upson and Washington counties, with more than 120 convictions secured across the state.
Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit is based in Atlanta, with regional, satellite prosecutors and investigators in Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah and Southeast Georgia.
The Gang Prosecution Unit is housed in the Attorney General's Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, his White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit, and his Organized Retail Crime Unit.
*Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government's burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.
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Original text here: https://law.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-03-24/carrs-gang-prosecution-unit-indicts-seven-assault-muscogee-county-jail
Budget Priority Passes House: Pennsylvania House Passes Bill to Increase Minimum Wage Following Gov. Shapiro's Call to Finally Raise the Wage
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 25 (TNSrpt) -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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BUDGET PRIORITY PASSES HOUSE: Pennsylvania House Passes Bill to Increase Minimum Wage Following Governor Shapiro's Call to Finally Raise the Wage
Governor Shapiro's 2026-27 proposed budget once again calls on the General Assembly to raise Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 an hour - as he has done every year since taking office.
The House has now passed legislation to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania three times - but each time, the Senate has refused
... Show Full Article
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 25 (TNSrpt) -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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BUDGET PRIORITY PASSES HOUSE: Pennsylvania House Passes Bill to Increase Minimum Wage Following Governor Shapiro's Call to Finally Raise the Wage
Governor Shapiro's 2026-27 proposed budget once again calls on the General Assembly to raise Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 an hour - as he has done every year since taking office.
The House has now passed legislation to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania three times - but each time, the Senate has refusedto act.
By raising the minimum wage, the Commonwealth can put more money into people's pockets, save millions in reduced Medicaid spending, and help Pennsylvania compete and grow.
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Today, after Governor Josh Shapiro called for raising the minimum wage in the 2026 Budget Address, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed H.B. 2189, taking another crucial step towards finally increasing Pennsylvania's minimum wage, after being stuck at $7.25 per hour for 17 years. Governor Shapiro is now urging the Senate to pass this long overdue legislation and put it on his desk to help working families across the Commonwealth.
Raising the minimum wage will boost consumer spending, reduce turnover for employers, and improve workers' health and economic stability, all while delivering significant savings for taxpayers and more revenue for the Commonwealth.
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"For more than 15 years, Pennsylvania's minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour, falling further behind the cost of living and leaving hundreds of thousands of families struggling to make ends meet," said Governor Shapiro. "You shouldn't have to work two or three jobs just to put food on the table and a roof over your head. We need to raise the minimum wage so Pennsylvanians have a real shot at getting ahead. The House has answered the call and passed legislation to raise the minimum wage three separate times - now it's time for the Senate to follow their lead and get this done."
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Today, more than half a million Pennsylvanians earn less than $15 an hour, and the purchasing power of the Commonwealth's current minimum wage - $7.25 per hour - has eroded by more than 30 percent since 2009.
Raising the minimum wage isn't just the right thing to do for Pennsylvania's families -- it's a smart economic and budgetary choice that puts more money in people's pockets, saves taxpayers' money, and helps Pennsylvania compete and grow. By raising wages, the Commonwealth would help transition from public assistance, saving millions in Medicaid spending. Higher wages would generate new revenue each year, strengthening Pennsylvania's fiscal position while helping working families get ahead.
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has called for this change every year -- now, it's time for the Senate to follow the House's lead, make the fiscally responsible choice to increase Pennsylvania's minimum wage, and support every working family across the Commonwealth.
Watch the Governor's full budget address to a joint session of the House and Senate here (https://pacast.com/m?p=28916)) and read the Governor's full remarks as prepared for delivery here (https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/governor-shapiro-s-2026-27-budget-address-as-prepared-for-delive).
Read the Governor's 2026-27 proposed budget in brief here (https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/budget/documents/publications-and-reports/commonwealthbudget/2026-27-budget-documents/2026-27%20budget%20in%20brief.final.web.v.2.pdf).
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REPORT: https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/budget/documents/publications-and-reports/commonwealthbudget/2026-27-budget-documents/2026-27%20budget%20in%20brief.final.web.v.2.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/pa-house-passes-bill-to-increase-minimum-wage-following-gov-shap
