• Pennsylvania to update voter registration systems: The Pennsylvania Department of State has hired a contractor to update the state’s election systems, which are 22 years old. The new system will bring together voter registration, election-night reporting, lobbying disclosure and campaign finance. The new system will be able to be customized by counties, who were present in the decision-making process. The previous system, SURE, is showing its age but still secure, according to Megan Maier. The new system will be used in the 2028 presidential election, though the Secretary of State hopes to have the system rolled out in the previous year’s election. (Source: LNP)
• Church World Service loses federal contract, organization still without funding: Church World Service has been told that the federal government has terminated its contracts with the organization, despite a judge ruling that the Trump administration must resume funding. Church World Service operates with the United States Refugee Assistance Program, (USRAP) which is a federal program geared towards resettling refugees in the United States. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of USAID, another federal program, which resettlement agencies see as a good sign. (Source: LNP)
• GSK invests $800 million in Marietta plant: Pharmaceutical company Glaxosmithkline (GSK) has invested up to $800 million into creating a 270,000 square foot vaccine plant in Marietta, PA, which officials cite was due to county and township governments offering the company tax incentives to build the plant. The Shapiro Administration also pledged a $21 million grant for the project. East Donegal Township, the Donegal School District, and Lancaster County commissioners approved a tax break program called Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, (LERTA) which will gradually increase GSK’s taxes over a 10-year period. (Source: LNP)
• Pennsylvania lawmaker introduces bill to require PA schools to carry Narcan: Pennsylvania State Representative Robert Freeman has introduced a bill to require that schools in the state carry the opioid overdose-reversing drug Narcan. The drug, also known as naloxone, would be dispensed by school officials who would be trained in administering the drug. When asked how the cost of the drug would be covered, Freeman responded that the life-saving benefits of the drug would justify any cost. According to Freeman, the bill has been referred to the House Education Committee. (Source: WGAL)
• Lancaster County commissioners issue annual Women’s History Month proclamation: The Lancaster County commissioners presented a proclamation of Women’s History Month to a group of local women leaders Wednesday. Several attendees acknowledged the progress made but said there is still more to be done. Currently, Alice Yoder is the only woman serving as county commissioner. The women leaders mentioned domestic violence and gender disparities in the state legislature as areas for improvement. The YWCA of Lancaster said it plans to expand low-income housing for women as well as counseling for survivors of sexual abuse. (Source: LNP)
• Nation/world: U.S. charges 12 Chinese nationals with widespread hacking campaign (Source: LNP) Trump grants automakers one-month reprieve from tariffs (Source: NBC News) North Korea closes to tourists weeks after opening (Source: BBC News) Denmark to cease postal letter deliveries (Source: BBC News) House Speaker’s Chief of Staff arrested on DUI charges after Trump Congressional address (Source: NBC News)
