Three bills seeking to expand and strengthen Pennsylvania’s anti-hate crime statutes were passed Tuesday by the state House of Representatives. All members of the chamber’s Democratic majority supported the proposals along with a handful of Republicans, voting amid national concerns about a spike in hate crimes during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Hate crimes overall increased in the U.S. last year, according to a report released by the FBI earlier this month.
One bill would change the state’s ethnic intimidation statute to a ‘hate-based intimidation’ law and extend its protections to include victims targeted because of their race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age and disability, including autism. The measure, which passed 116-86, would provide a way for victims to sue.
Bills to combat hate crimes gain Pennsylvania House approvalSponsors of the proposed changes in Pennsylvania said the state experienced a sharp increase in hate crimes in 2021, more than any other year since tracking of such incidents began in 1997. Read more ⮕
NY Gov. Hochul addresses hate crimes, hate speech amid tensions over Israel-Hamas war‘As Governor, I reaffirm that there is zero tolerance in New York for antisemitism, Islamophobia, or hate of any kind,’ Hochul said. Read more ⮕
State police warn residents about bear spotted in Lehigh CountyThe Pennsylvania Game Commission says there have been three sightings of the animal so far. Read more ⮕
Bayonne police recover three loaded guns in three separate traffic stopsThe arrests and seizure of the weapons in all three incidents started with traffic stops, Bayonne police Capt. Eric Amato said Tuesday. Read more ⮕
Battle for control of Virginia Legislature may hinge on a state senate race with independent streakA race that could determine control of Virginia’s state legislature will not be a standard battle between a Democrat and a Republican Read more ⮕
Battle for control of Virginia Legislature may hinge on a state senate race with independent streakA race that could determine control of Virginia’s state legislature will not be a standard battle between a Democrat and a Republican. It also features a credible independent candidate who happens to be a former stripper. And then there’s the write-in campaign of a right-wing restaurateur who specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches. Read more ⮕
