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Child custody in Pennsylvania — A view from the bench

On July 1, 2025, Governor Shapiro signed House Bill 378, simplifying the list of factors which a judge must consider in child custody litigation. This important legislation, effective within sixty days, should streamline custody hearings. It was supported by both the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges. Since parties in custody litigation often lack attorneys, efforts to simplify the custody process are generally welcome. Couples who are going through a breakup or divorce are frequently forced to divide jointly ...

Deportations in America today

Apparently Mr Trump has gone full ape deporting undocumented immigrants. He is supposed to do this as was Mr Biden. Mr Obama before him was known as “deporter in chief.” The scale and recklessness with which this might be happening is far beyond the other presidents. I say “might,” because as a social scientist, I need to take responsibility for what I say and not simply forward memes. I have not actually seen a raid by the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Reports, nonetheless, say he is using offshore prisons, has built a detention center in a terrible swamp, ...

Government unions are in lockstep with Democrats

Are government union leaders and the Democratic Party about to divorce? Two prominent union leaders — Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers and Lee Saunders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — announced that they’re leaving the Democratic National Committee, citing the party’s infighting as the reason for their departure. That this is deemed “breaking news” is telling — as though everyone knew union executives, despite their claims to represent their members, were wedded to the Democratic Party. Voters shouldn’t ...

Medicaid reform in the ‘Beautiful Bill’

President Donald Trump recently signed H.R.1, aka the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” into law. The basis of the bill is an extension of the 2017 tax relief. Also included in the new law is the first substantial reform to the Medicaid health insurance entitlement. Despite claims that “the sky is falling,” the Medicaid reforms are actually a start at guaranteeing that the program will survive into the future and be available for the country’s most vulnerable people. Opponents decry the “cuts” to Medicaid. In reality, the new law actually reduces an INCREASE in spending from ...

The value in opening up to otherness

When I saw my youngest cousin last, she and her fiancé drove the conversation, sharing all the trips they’d taken, were soon going to take, and wanted to take at some point in the future. I couldn’t help thinking how much I’d changed. My younger self absolutely loved traveling, exploring new places, and experiencing different cultures. My current self, however, doesn’t like the new and unknown anymore, and instead has grown fond of revisiting a few places I’ve enjoyed visiting in the past. This June, right on the day of my husband’s and my anniversary, there was a direct ...

Muddled leadership loses to Ohio

Pennsylvania’s nickname of the Keystone State, as variously reported, originates with the deciding vote for independence by a Pennsylvania member of the Continental Congress or in the commonwealth’s central location among the 13 colonies. The state’s prominence continued through the 19th and 20th centuries when its oil, coal and manufacturing prowess were major economic forces. Today, with Pennsylvania situated in the nation’s most densely populated region, the commonwealth’s geography and resources continue to enhance its national role. Yet if modern Penn’s Woods is to ...