Latest news with #JoshShapiro
India Today
an hour ago
- Climate
- India Today
Northeast braces for powerful storms with heavy rain, flash floods
Powerful storms are expected to sweep through the Northeast on Thursday, bringing the risk of dangerous flash flooding from northern Virginia to Connecticut, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).New Jersey Lt. Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency, warning of the potential for flash floods due to fast-moving storms and already saturated ground. "Please take all necessary precautions," she wrote on predict the most intense weather will arrive later Thursday afternoon into the night, with heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms likely along the Washington, DC–Philadelphia–New York City corridor. Southern areas in the zone could see rainfall rates as high as 2 inches (5 cm) per hour. Flash flood warnings were issued Thursday afternoon for parts of Pennsylvania's Berks, Lancaster, and York counties, as well as Baltimore and Hartford counties in Maryland. The NWS stated that flooding could affect creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, and low-lying and severe thunderstorm watches remain in effect across the region through late Thursday and into Friday. Rainfall totals may reach 4 to 6 inches (10–15 cm) in some locations. A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for eastern Pennsylvania, where winds could hit 60 mph (97 kph) and hail the size of pennies was Governor Josh Shapiro said emergency teams are preparing for response and recovery as New York City, officials warned that heavy rains could flood streets, subways, and basements. Residents living in basement units were advised to relocate to higher floors, and all New Yorkers were urged to avoid travel from Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon.- EndsWith inputs from Associated PressMust Watch
CBS News
a day ago
- Health
- CBS News
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro joins lawsuit against Trump administration's attempt to defund Planned Parenthood
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is joining a coalition of 22 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia in a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's latest effort to cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, targets a provision in the recently passed "One Big, Beautiful Bill," which halts Medicaid reimbursements for a year to major family planning providers, most notably Planned Parenthood. The move has sparked both legal action and passionate public response. Outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia's Gayborhood, supporters gathered not with signs, but with prayers. "I believe in the mission of Planned Parenthood, and I believe in all of the health care they provide, saving services they provide," said Mark, who asked not to share his last name. "I believe that's prayer-worthy." Another patient, who didn't want to reveal her identity, spoke about the daily reality of relying on these clinics. "If you need medical attention, they're there. They don't judge you," the patient said. President Trump celebrated the bill as a legislative milestone. "This is the most single most popular bill ever signed," he said at the signing, claiming, "And it includes the largest tax cut in American history, the largest spending cut, $1.7 trillion." Critics argue the spending cuts come at the expense of vital health services. New Jersey and Delaware have also joined the suit. The lawsuit argues the defunding provision, which could strip Planned Parenthood of an estimated $700 million in Medicaid reimbursements, would jeopardize access to essential care like cancer screenings, birth control, treatment for sexually transmitted infections and prenatal care. Supporters of the defunding effort, like longtime anti-abortion advocate Mark Houck, welcomed the move. "It's an unconstitutional program," he said. "Our taxpayer dollars should not be going to fund a nonprofit organization like Planned Parenthood." In a statement on X, Shapiro called the provision an "unconstitutional decision" that threatens to deny Pennsylvanians "lifesaving care." He added, "As long as I'm governor, we will defend access to reproductive health care here in Pennsylvania." McGill-Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, echoed those concerns, calling the bill a "targeted attack on Planned Parenthood health centers and patients." The lawsuit challenges the so-called "Defund Provision" of the bill, which blocks Medicaid funding to health centers that provide abortion-related services, even though federal law already prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions in most cases. The plaintiffs argue the provision punishes Planned Parenthood for its constitutionally protected advocacy, violating both the First Amendment and Article I's ban on bills of attainder. It also forces states to enforce federal policy by either cutting off funding to clinics or absorbing the costs themselves, undermining the federal-state Medicaid partnership. The states are asking the court to declare the provision unconstitutional and block its enforcement. Until a ruling is reached, supporters like Mark say they'll continue showing up. "I think it's a good thing to come and express prayers in support of the alternate opinion," he said.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Schools and counties begin to see payment delays as Pennsylvania's budget stalemate hits a month
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro 's administration says billions of dollars in aid to Pennsylvania's schools and human services will be delayed, as he and the politically divided Legislature struggle to end what is now a month-long budget stalemate. State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments, Shapiro's administration said in letters sent Tuesday to providers. 'I recognize this information is concerning, and it is equally concerning to both me and the governor,' Budget Secretary Uri Monson said in the letters. 'Our administration continues to work diligently to find agreement between the House and Senate and we will work to support you and your organization as you manage the current situation.' Budget stalemates are also playing out in Michigan and North Carolina, where Democratic governors are sharing power with Republican legislators. Pennsylvania school districts, which received more than $11 billion last year from the state for operations, will see delays on more than $2 billion in payments through August, Shapiro's administration said. District officials have said the poorest districts might have to borrow money if aid is delayed in August. Universities, such as Penn State and state-run system schools, will see delays on more than $200 million in aid and counties will not get on-time payments of $390 million to child welfare agencies, it said. More than $100 million in payments to a range of other agencies, nonprofits and programs will also be delayed, according to the administration's letters. It also said it cannot distribute money to early childhood education providers. Shapiro and top Republican lawmakers have said they are engaged in closed-door discussions to try to find a compromise. Neither the state House nor state Senate have scheduled a voting session for this week. ___
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
Schools and counties begin to see payment delays as Pennsylvania's budget stalemate hits a month
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro 's administration says billions of dollars in aid to Pennsylvania's schools and human services will be delayed, as he and the politically divided Legislature struggle to end what is now a month-long budget stalemate. State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments, Shapiro's administration said in letters sent Tuesday to providers.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Schools and counties begin to see payment delays as Pennsylvania's budget stalemate hits a month
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro 's administration says billions of dollars in aid to Pennsylvania's schools and human services will be delayed, as he and the politically divided Legislature struggle to end what is now a month-long budget stalemate. State-supported universities, libraries, early-childhood education programs and county health departments also will see delays in payments, Shapiro's administration said in letters sent Tuesday to providers. 'I recognize this information is concerning, and it is equally concerning to both me and the governor,' Budget Secretary Uri Monson said in the letters. 'Our administration continues to work diligently to find agreement between the House and Senate and we will work to support you and your organization as you manage the current situation.' Budget stalemates are also playing out in Michigan and North Carolina, where Democratic governors are sharing power with Republican legislators. Pennsylvania school districts, which received more than $11 billion last year from the state for operations, will see delays on more than $2 billion in payments through August, Shapiro's administration said. District officials have said the poorest districts might have to borrow money if aid is delayed in August. Universities, such as Penn State and state-run system schools, will see delays on more than $200 million in aid and counties will not get on-time payments of $390 million to child welfare agencies, it said. More than $100 million in payments to a range of other agencies, nonprofits and programs will also be delayed, according to the administration's letters. It also said it cannot distribute money to early childhood education providers. Shapiro and top Republican lawmakers have said they are engaged in closed-door discussions to try to find a compromise. Neither the state House nor state Senate have scheduled a voting session for this week. Without the governor's signature on a new spending plan, the state lost some of its spending authority starting July 1. ___ Follow Marc Levy on X at:
