Michael Herzing
@mherz67.bsky.social
Writer, Pennsylvanian, Progressive, Pragmatist
Finally, a step toward accountability. Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act so the public can see the truth. No more secrets, no more special treatment—justice shouldn’t end behind closed doors.
Breaking News: A federal judge granted the government’s motion to unseal the records of the grand jury investigation of Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein who is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of sex-trafficking a minor and other counts.
Judge Grants Request to Unseal Grand Jury Records in Ghislaine Maxwell Case
The ruling cited a law signed last month by President Trump requiring the Justice Department to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime companion, Ghislaine Maxwell.
nyti.ms
December 9, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Finally, a step toward accountability. Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act so the public can see the truth. No more secrets, no more special treatment—justice shouldn’t end behind closed doors.
Rep. Dan Miller’s move from the state House to the Allegheny County bench marks the end of a decade of leadership on disability rights, mental health, and juvenile justice. His impact will be felt long after he leaves Harrisburg.
@repdanmiller.com
@repdanmiller.com
As Dan Miller prepares for a seat on Common Pleas Court, he's not quite done in Harrisburg yet
South Hills state House member Dan Miller will become an Allegheny County Common Pleas judge next month. And while he hasn’t publicly set a date to step down, he isn’t ready to give up Harrisburg…
buff.ly
December 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Rep. Dan Miller’s move from the state House to the Allegheny County bench marks the end of a decade of leadership on disability rights, mental health, and juvenile justice. His impact will be felt long after he leaves Harrisburg.
@repdanmiller.com
@repdanmiller.com
We’ve seen this movie:
🚂 Norfolk Southern
🚂 East Palestine
🚂 “Cost-saving” over safety
Technology should supplement, not replace, skilled inspectors who know every mile of their territory.
Safety isn’t a “glorified tape measure.” It’s human expertise — and lives on the line.
🚂 Norfolk Southern
🚂 East Palestine
🚂 “Cost-saving” over safety
Technology should supplement, not replace, skilled inspectors who know every mile of their territory.
Safety isn’t a “glorified tape measure.” It’s human expertise — and lives on the line.
Railroads will be allowed to reduce inspections and rely more on technology to spot track problems
The nation’s freight railroads are going to be able to try relying more on technology and inspect their tracks less often after the federal government approved their waiver request on Friday.
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM
We’ve seen this movie:
🚂 Norfolk Southern
🚂 East Palestine
🚂 “Cost-saving” over safety
Technology should supplement, not replace, skilled inspectors who know every mile of their territory.
Safety isn’t a “glorified tape measure.” It’s human expertise — and lives on the line.
🚂 Norfolk Southern
🚂 East Palestine
🚂 “Cost-saving” over safety
Technology should supplement, not replace, skilled inspectors who know every mile of their territory.
Safety isn’t a “glorified tape measure.” It’s human expertise — and lives on the line.
Reposted by Michael Herzing
No New Taxes // MAJORITY POLICY POINT
December 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
No New Taxes // MAJORITY POLICY POINT
A federal appeals court rules Alina Habba was serving unlawfully as U.S. Attorney — and instead of fixing the problem, DOJ keeps moving pieces around to protect Trump’s hand-picked loyalists. If this isn’t a flashing-red warning about power being placed over the rule of law, what is?
Breaking News: Alina Habba resigned as U.S. attorney in New Jersey after a panel of federal judges ruled last week that she was serving in the position unlawfully.
Alina Habba, a Trump Loyalist, Resigns as New Jersey’s Top Prosecutor
Ms. Habba resigned on Monday, after a federal appeals court last week found she had been serving as U.S. attorney unlawfully.
nyti.ms
December 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
A federal appeals court rules Alina Habba was serving unlawfully as U.S. Attorney — and instead of fixing the problem, DOJ keeps moving pieces around to protect Trump’s hand-picked loyalists. If this isn’t a flashing-red warning about power being placed over the rule of law, what is?
Pennsylvania isn’t playing politics with children’s lives. Gov. Shapiro is keeping vaccines accessible, covered, and grounded in real medical expertise.
Facts > conspiracies.
buff.ly/mFq4Xo6
Facts > conspiracies.
buff.ly/mFq4Xo6
Shapiro pushes back on federal policy change, urges continuation of hepatitis B vaccines at birth
The Shapiro administration said it was standing with medical experts “to ensure parents can protect children from lifelong liver disease."
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Pennsylvania isn’t playing politics with children’s lives. Gov. Shapiro is keeping vaccines accessible, covered, and grounded in real medical expertise.
Facts > conspiracies.
buff.ly/mFq4Xo6
Facts > conspiracies.
buff.ly/mFq4Xo6
If the Supreme Court gives Trump the power to fire independent watchdogs at will, we won’t have checks and balances—we’ll have a king. Congress created these protections to keep government accountable, not to hand the White House unchecked power.
Breaking News: The Supreme Court appeared poised to give President Trump more power to fire independent government officials despite laws meant to shield them.
Supreme Court Considers Trump’s Power to Fire Independent Officials: Live Updates
The court’s conservative majority seemed ready to overturn or strictly limit a landmark decision from 1935 in a case dealing with President Trump’s attempt to fire a member of the Federal Trade Commission.
nyti.ms
December 8, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If the Supreme Court gives Trump the power to fire independent watchdogs at will, we won’t have checks and balances—we’ll have a king. Congress created these protections to keep government accountable, not to hand the White House unchecked power.
In Pennsylvania, for every 1 person signing up for ACA coverage, 2 are dropping out — not because they don’t want insurance, but because Republicans let premiums double by refusing to extend #ACA tax credits.
For every person who enrolls in ACA coverage through Pennie, two drop their plans
Open enrollment runs through the end of January.
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
In Pennsylvania, for every 1 person signing up for ACA coverage, 2 are dropping out — not because they don’t want insurance, but because Republicans let premiums double by refusing to extend #ACA tax credits.
Open enrollment ends in days — and Republicans still have no health care plan.
Half a million Pennsylvanians rely on #ACA coverage. Without extending tax credits, 250,000 could lose insurance and premiums would skyrocket 102% overnight.
@repvenkat.com
Half a million Pennsylvanians rely on #ACA coverage. Without extending tax credits, 250,000 could lose insurance and premiums would skyrocket 102% overnight.
@repvenkat.com
Republicans lack plan to despite expiring ACA tax credits
Health care premiums are expected to rise 102% for Pennie customers once ACA tax credits expire at the end of the year.
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Open enrollment ends in days — and Republicans still have no health care plan.
Half a million Pennsylvanians rely on #ACA coverage. Without extending tax credits, 250,000 could lose insurance and premiums would skyrocket 102% overnight.
@repvenkat.com
Half a million Pennsylvanians rely on #ACA coverage. Without extending tax credits, 250,000 could lose insurance and premiums would skyrocket 102% overnight.
@repvenkat.com
The Trump admin didn’t just alter Adm. Rachel Levine’s portrait — they tried to erase her.
This is what government-by-culture-war looks like: pettiness over public health, cruelty over competence, propaganda over professionalism.
buff.ly/y1o59rq
This is what government-by-culture-war looks like: pettiness over public health, cruelty over competence, propaganda over professionalism.
buff.ly/y1o59rq
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The Trump admin didn’t just alter Adm. Rachel Levine’s portrait — they tried to erase her.
This is what government-by-culture-war looks like: pettiness over public health, cruelty over competence, propaganda over professionalism.
buff.ly/y1o59rq
This is what government-by-culture-war looks like: pettiness over public health, cruelty over competence, propaganda over professionalism.
buff.ly/y1o59rq
While a federal committee plays politics with childhood vaccine guidance, states like Pennsylvania are stepping up to protect public health.
@repvenkat.com — an ER doctor and legislator — is pushing bills to keep vaccines accessible, science-based, and covered by insurance.
@repvenkat.com — an ER doctor and legislator — is pushing bills to keep vaccines accessible, science-based, and covered by insurance.
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Push State Level Vaccine Rules – Lilly Digital
A federal committee is reviewing vaccine schedules for infants and children, specifically today looking at the Hepatitis B vaccine for infants.
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
While a federal committee plays politics with childhood vaccine guidance, states like Pennsylvania are stepping up to protect public health.
@repvenkat.com — an ER doctor and legislator — is pushing bills to keep vaccines accessible, science-based, and covered by insurance.
@repvenkat.com — an ER doctor and legislator — is pushing bills to keep vaccines accessible, science-based, and covered by insurance.
“If you don’t have a better plan, then get on board with ours. But doing nothing is not an option.” – Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, on his plan to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies
buff.ly/O8xtGgZ
buff.ly/O8xtGgZ
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“If you don’t have a better plan, then get on board with ours. But doing nothing is not an option.” – Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, on his plan to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies
buff.ly/O8xtGgZ
buff.ly/O8xtGgZ
ICE arrests in Montgomery County are leaving immigrant communities fearful and unsafe. Local governments must limit police collaboration, ensure transparency, and protect residents. Public safety depends on trust, not intimidation.
buff.ly/E1vn8cn
buff.ly/E1vn8cn
As immigrant detentions spike, Montco activists demand transparency: ‘ICE is burning trust to the ground’
Advocates say federal immigration officials have detained many people in Norristown and have ramped up activity in Abington, Perkiomenville and Ambler, among other areas.
buff.ly
December 6, 2025 at 12:00 AM
ICE arrests in Montgomery County are leaving immigrant communities fearful and unsafe. Local governments must limit police collaboration, ensure transparency, and protect residents. Public safety depends on trust, not intimidation.
buff.ly/E1vn8cn
buff.ly/E1vn8cn
Delaware County just became the third Philly collar county to protect LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination—covering housing, work, healthcare, and more. Local governments are stepping up where Trump tries to tear down protections.
Delaware County approves a nondiscrimination ordinance protecting LGBTQ+ residents
Delaware County joins other Philly collar counties in adopting legislation to protect LGBTQ residents as President Donald Trump's administration targets the community through policy and rhetoric.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Delaware County just became the third Philly collar county to protect LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination—covering housing, work, healthcare, and more. Local governments are stepping up where Trump tries to tear down protections.
Under Trump, ICE detention has surged past 65,000—most with no criminal convictions. Families torn apart, communities destabilized, lives at risk. This isn’t law enforcement—it’s cruelty.
More than 65,000 immigrants are being held in federal detention, a big increase from when Trump took office
"They are dead serious about moving as many people out of the country as possible, and keeping them detained while they do it," said Philly immigration attorney Jonah Eaton.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Under Trump, ICE detention has surged past 65,000—most with no criminal convictions. Families torn apart, communities destabilized, lives at risk. This isn’t law enforcement—it’s cruelty.
Congressman Meuser finally opens his ‘private’ forum to the public—but still excludes the media, gives short notice, and holds it during work hours. Democracy isn’t a VIP club. Constituents deserve transparency, not control.
Meuser opens forum to public, but not press
Select constituents were notified by email this week that U.S. Representative Dan Meuser (R-9) will hold a private, in-person constituent forum this Friday at 11:30 a.m. The email came from Courtne…
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Congressman Meuser finally opens his ‘private’ forum to the public—but still excludes the media, gives short notice, and holds it during work hours. Democracy isn’t a VIP club. Constituents deserve transparency, not control.
Trump heads to northeastern PA to tout his economic agenda—but with approval at 38% and costs of living skyrocketing, people aren’t buying it. Midterms are coming, and voters are already saying ‘enough.’
Economy-focused Trump tour to start in northeastern Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
President Donald Trump plans to kickoff a domestic tour focused on the economy in NEPA next week ahead of 2026 midterms.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Trump heads to northeastern PA to tout his economic agenda—but with approval at 38% and costs of living skyrocketing, people aren’t buying it. Midterms are coming, and voters are already saying ‘enough.’
BREAKING: Trump tries to erase the citizenship of children born in America.
The 14th Amendment isn’t a suggestion—it guarantees birthright citizenship. America doesn’t get to pick and choose who counts as “American.”
The 14th Amendment isn’t a suggestion—it guarantees birthright citizenship. America doesn’t get to pick and choose who counts as “American.”
Breaking News: The Supreme Court agreed to review a landmark dispute over the constitutionality of President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
December 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
BREAKING: Trump tries to erase the citizenship of children born in America.
The 14th Amendment isn’t a suggestion—it guarantees birthright citizenship. America doesn’t get to pick and choose who counts as “American.”
The 14th Amendment isn’t a suggestion—it guarantees birthright citizenship. America doesn’t get to pick and choose who counts as “American.”
So let me get this straight: a far-right Romanian politician gets arrested for fraud, and the world’s richest man personally amplifies a foreign influencer to turn him into a global sensation? Meanwhile, democracy struggles to get fact-checked.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/b...
Elon Musk Loves What This Guy Has to Say
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:09 PM
So let me get this straight: a far-right Romanian politician gets arrested for fraud, and the world’s richest man personally amplifies a foreign influencer to turn him into a global sensation? Meanwhile, democracy struggles to get fact-checked.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/b...
Carolina crossed seven countries, survived kidnappings, beatings, and sexual assault, just to reunite with her son—only to be trapped in a U.S. border shelter. Immigration isn’t chaos, it’s hope. Congress must act.
buff.ly/BVOapvW
buff.ly/BVOapvW
Trump may have shut down the border to asylum-seekers, but he can’t end immigrants’ hope | Luis F. Carrasco
The president has succeeded in curtailing illegal immigration through a mix of enforcement, deterrence, and cruelty, but it is unsustainable.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Carolina crossed seven countries, survived kidnappings, beatings, and sexual assault, just to reunite with her son—only to be trapped in a U.S. border shelter. Immigration isn’t chaos, it’s hope. Congress must act.
buff.ly/BVOapvW
buff.ly/BVOapvW
Ezra Bozeman spent his final days paralyzed, on life support, behind bars—while Pennsylvania spent $100k/year to keep him there. This is not justice. It’s cruelty. HB 150 can fix this. Compassionate release isn’t weakness—it’s decency.
buff.ly/9C2HOXN
buff.ly/9C2HOXN
Why expanding eligibility for compassionate release is just and necessary
For elderly, sick people behind bars, new legislation could be life-changing.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Ezra Bozeman spent his final days paralyzed, on life support, behind bars—while Pennsylvania spent $100k/year to keep him there. This is not justice. It’s cruelty. HB 150 can fix this. Compassionate release isn’t weakness—it’s decency.
buff.ly/9C2HOXN
buff.ly/9C2HOXN
Reposted by Michael Herzing
“I am thrilled that my legislation, now law, will help Pennsylvanians access the money that belongs to them with less cost, less paperwork and less delay.” - @repciresi.com
pahouse.com/InTheNews/Ne...
pahouse.com/InTheNews/Ne...
Shapiro signs into law Ciresi legislation to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims, further help heirs following the death of a loved one
HARRISBURG, Nov. 25 – On Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation that will make it easier and less expensive for Pennsylvanians to claim property that is rightfully theirs — and reduce the financial burden following the death of a...
pahouse.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
“I am thrilled that my legislation, now law, will help Pennsylvanians access the money that belongs to them with less cost, less paperwork and less delay.” - @repciresi.com
pahouse.com/InTheNews/Ne...
pahouse.com/InTheNews/Ne...
PA is investing $3M to provide free period products in all schools, ensuring students can focus on learning without worrying about basic hygiene. Total investment now $6M under @pahousedems.com & Gov. Shapiro.
www.pa.gov/agencies/hea...
www.pa.gov/agencies/hea...
Menstrual Hygiene funding 25-26
Menstrual Hygiene funding 25-26
www.pa.gov
December 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
PA is investing $3M to provide free period products in all schools, ensuring students can focus on learning without worrying about basic hygiene. Total investment now $6M under @pahousedems.com & Gov. Shapiro.
www.pa.gov/agencies/hea...
www.pa.gov/agencies/hea...
This undermines the Voting Rights Act and sets a precedent for more partisan redistricting.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Supreme Court hands Trump victory in fight over Texas congressional map
The decision marks the latest development in a battle between Republican and Democratic states that seek partisan advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
This undermines the Voting Rights Act and sets a precedent for more partisan redistricting.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Another example of Trump's weaponization of justice against political opponents.
apnews.com/article/leti...
apnews.com/article/leti...
Grand jury rejects new mortgage fraud indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James
The Justice Department has failed to secure a new indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James after a judge dismissed the previous mortgage fraud prosecution encouraged by President Don...
apnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Another example of Trump's weaponization of justice against political opponents.
apnews.com/article/leti...
apnews.com/article/leti...