Michael Herzing
@mherz67.bsky.social
Writer, Pennsylvanian, Progressive, Pragmatist
U.S. farmers aren’t “winning” Trump’s trade war — they’re losing their livelihoods.
Soybean prices plunged from $14.50 to $9.30, bankruptcies are up 60%, and families who’ve farmed for generations are barely hanging on.
Farmers don’t want bailouts. They want a real trade policy.
Soybean prices plunged from $14.50 to $9.30, bankruptcies are up 60%, and families who’ve farmed for generations are barely hanging on.
Farmers don’t want bailouts. They want a real trade policy.
American farmers say bailout doesn't solve underlying problem
Soybean growers say that President Donald Trump's $12 billion bailout package is helpful but doesn’t get to the root of the problem.
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM
U.S. farmers aren’t “winning” Trump’s trade war — they’re losing their livelihoods.
Soybean prices plunged from $14.50 to $9.30, bankruptcies are up 60%, and families who’ve farmed for generations are barely hanging on.
Farmers don’t want bailouts. They want a real trade policy.
Soybean prices plunged from $14.50 to $9.30, bankruptcies are up 60%, and families who’ve farmed for generations are barely hanging on.
Farmers don’t want bailouts. They want a real trade policy.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen and Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich are urging all Pennsylvanians 6 months and older to get vaccinated against the flu now.
For updates and resources, visit the PA Department of Health Respiratory Virus Dashboard... www.pa.gov/agencies/hea...
For updates and resources, visit the PA Department of Health Respiratory Virus Dashboard... www.pa.gov/agencies/hea...
Respiratory Virus Dashboard
Check the respiratory dashboard every Tuesday for the latest updates.
www.pa.gov
December 12, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen and Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich are urging all Pennsylvanians 6 months and older to get vaccinated against the flu now.
For updates and resources, visit the PA Department of Health Respiratory Virus Dashboard... www.pa.gov/agencies/hea...
For updates and resources, visit the PA Department of Health Respiratory Virus Dashboard... www.pa.gov/agencies/hea...
So TSA is now handing over EVERY traveler’s name to ICE so Trump can turn routine air travel into a dragnet for mass deportation. A 19-year-old college student was detained at her gate and deported in 48 hours. This isn’t ‘law and order’ — it’s state-run fear. America must be better than this.
Breaking News: The Trump administration is sharing all air travelers’ names with ICE officials to find people with deportation orders.
Immigration Agents Are Using Air Passenger Data for Deportation Effort
The Transportation Security Administration is providing passenger lists to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to identify and detain travelers subject to deportation orders.
nyti.ms
December 12, 2025 at 9:24 PM
So TSA is now handing over EVERY traveler’s name to ICE so Trump can turn routine air travel into a dragnet for mass deportation. A 19-year-old college student was detained at her gate and deported in 48 hours. This isn’t ‘law and order’ — it’s state-run fear. America must be better than this.
If Congress lets enhanced #ACA tax credits lapse, 500,000 Pennsylvanians will pay the price — including families whose cancer care literally depends on affordable coverage.
A jump from $490 → $1,792/month is not “market fluctuation.”
It’s a policy choice.
Fix it.
A jump from $490 → $1,792/month is not “market fluctuation.”
It’s a policy choice.
Fix it.
Congressional health insurance tug-o-war puts Pennsylvanians in a lurch • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Congress can't decide how to help Pennsylvanias like the Wrights, who rely on the Pennie marketplace for their insurance coverage.
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
If Congress lets enhanced #ACA tax credits lapse, 500,000 Pennsylvanians will pay the price — including families whose cancer care literally depends on affordable coverage.
A jump from $490 → $1,792/month is not “market fluctuation.”
It’s a policy choice.
Fix it.
A jump from $490 → $1,792/month is not “market fluctuation.”
It’s a policy choice.
Fix it.
Jenkintown Borough Council just strengthened protections limiting police collaboration with ICE.
Because public safety means everyone should feel safe calling 911 — not fearing deportation.
This is how you build trust, not break communities apart.
buff.ly/AmrCWV2
Because public safety means everyone should feel safe calling 911 — not fearing deportation.
This is how you build trust, not break communities apart.
buff.ly/AmrCWV2
Jenkintown limits local police collaboration with ICE
Residents pushed back on the original measure, passed in September, saying it allowed local police to assist ICE agents without judicial warrants.
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Jenkintown Borough Council just strengthened protections limiting police collaboration with ICE.
Because public safety means everyone should feel safe calling 911 — not fearing deportation.
This is how you build trust, not break communities apart.
buff.ly/AmrCWV2
Because public safety means everyone should feel safe calling 911 — not fearing deportation.
This is how you build trust, not break communities apart.
buff.ly/AmrCWV2
Reposted by Michael Herzing
The new state budget includes a tax cut for almost a million working Pennsylvanians. Tax time will be here soon - do you qualify? Here's a helpful calculator:
www.pa.gov/agencies/rev...
www.pa.gov/agencies/rev...
Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit
Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit
www.pa.gov
December 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The new state budget includes a tax cut for almost a million working Pennsylvanians. Tax time will be here soon - do you qualify? Here's a helpful calculator:
www.pa.gov/agencies/rev...
www.pa.gov/agencies/rev...
This is exactly why enhanced ACA tax credits must be extended.
Without them, cancer patients, small business owners, and nearly half of Marketplace enrollees could lose access to lifesaving care.
Sen. McCormick needs to choose Pennsylvania families over politics — and act.
buff.ly/OtyDqPi
Without them, cancer patients, small business owners, and nearly half of Marketplace enrollees could lose access to lifesaving care.
Sen. McCormick needs to choose Pennsylvania families over politics — and act.
buff.ly/OtyDqPi
Sen. McCormick, Pa. small business owners are depending on you to protect our health care | Opinion
The enhanced tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025, which might put affordable coverage out of reach.
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 7:01 PM
This is exactly why enhanced ACA tax credits must be extended.
Without them, cancer patients, small business owners, and nearly half of Marketplace enrollees could lose access to lifesaving care.
Sen. McCormick needs to choose Pennsylvania families over politics — and act.
buff.ly/OtyDqPi
Without them, cancer patients, small business owners, and nearly half of Marketplace enrollees could lose access to lifesaving care.
Sen. McCormick needs to choose Pennsylvania families over politics — and act.
buff.ly/OtyDqPi
Shocking that the party of Trump, Mastriano & “grab ’em by the…” is suddenly very concerned about how Gov. Josh Shapiro talks to women.
PA Republicans attacking a popular, effective Democratic governor to distract from their own failures isn't a plot twist — it's the whole script.
buff.ly/FxfuLna
PA Republicans attacking a popular, effective Democratic governor to distract from their own failures isn't a plot twist — it's the whole script.
buff.ly/FxfuLna
Senate Pro Tem Kim Ward Says Shapiro “Might Have a Problem With Strong Women"
Ward shared her opinions on working with Shapiro as well as concerns on how he treats female elected officials.
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Shocking that the party of Trump, Mastriano & “grab ’em by the…” is suddenly very concerned about how Gov. Josh Shapiro talks to women.
PA Republicans attacking a popular, effective Democratic governor to distract from their own failures isn't a plot twist — it's the whole script.
buff.ly/FxfuLna
PA Republicans attacking a popular, effective Democratic governor to distract from their own failures isn't a plot twist — it's the whole script.
buff.ly/FxfuLna
Thanks to champions like @repvenkat.com and Sen. Lindsey Williams, our public libraries are getting a $5M boost — real investment in education, equity, and community spaces that people actually use.
Libraries aren’t “extras.” They’re essential.
Libraries aren’t “extras.” They’re essential.
Local lawmakers celebrate $5M increase in funding through state budget benefiting public libraries
The $5 million represents a 7.1% increase in funding for the line item compared to last year’s budget.
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Thanks to champions like @repvenkat.com and Sen. Lindsey Williams, our public libraries are getting a $5M boost — real investment in education, equity, and community spaces that people actually use.
Libraries aren’t “extras.” They’re essential.
Libraries aren’t “extras.” They’re essential.
Reposted by Michael Herzing
People Want Solutions // MAJORITY POLICY POINT
December 12, 2025 at 3:31 PM
People Want Solutions // MAJORITY POLICY POINT
Unbelievable. HHS choosing to deadname Adm. Rachel Levine isn’t “science” — it’s spite. @repdanfrankel.com and Rep. Pat Harkins are calling this out for what it is: petty, political cruelty that does NOTHING to improve public health. Levine served with honor.
Former Gov. Wolf, Pa. Democrats slam deadname of Rachel Levine portrait
Adm. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary of health, was the first transgender person confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve in the federal government.
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Unbelievable. HHS choosing to deadname Adm. Rachel Levine isn’t “science” — it’s spite. @repdanfrankel.com and Rep. Pat Harkins are calling this out for what it is: petty, political cruelty that does NOTHING to improve public health. Levine served with honor.
Reposted by Michael Herzing
“Our public libraries are the beating heart of our communities." - @repvenkat.com
Lawmakers celebrate $5M increase in funding through state budget benefiting public libraries:
www.wpxi.com/news/local/l...
Lawmakers celebrate $5M increase in funding through state budget benefiting public libraries:
www.wpxi.com/news/local/l...
Local lawmakers celebrate $5M increase in funding through state budget benefiting public libraries
The $5 million represents a 7.1% increase in funding for the line item compared to last year’s budget.
www.wpxi.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM
“Our public libraries are the beating heart of our communities." - @repvenkat.com
Lawmakers celebrate $5M increase in funding through state budget benefiting public libraries:
www.wpxi.com/news/local/l...
Lawmakers celebrate $5M increase in funding through state budget benefiting public libraries:
www.wpxi.com/news/local/l...
Pennsylvanians deserve their fair share. Reps. Pielli & @reptarikkhan.bsky.social are right — it’s time to end the shale industry’s corporate giveaway and finally adopt a real severance tax. TX pulls in 10x the revenue we do! Let’s fund our schools, not pad drillers’ profits.
Representatives Pielli & Khan Introduce Natural Gas Severance Tax
HARRISBURG, Dec. 9 – State Reps. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, and Tarik Khan, D-Phila., have introduced a bill that would establish a severance tax on natural gas production. Specifically, the…
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Pennsylvanians deserve their fair share. Reps. Pielli & @reptarikkhan.bsky.social are right — it’s time to end the shale industry’s corporate giveaway and finally adopt a real severance tax. TX pulls in 10x the revenue we do! Let’s fund our schools, not pad drillers’ profits.
AI data centers shouldn’t get a free pass while Pennsylvanians face higher bills and unreliable power. Gov. Shapiro is right: consumer voices must be heard before FERC gives hyperscalers like Amazon & Google the green light.
penncapital-star.com/briefs/shapi...
penncapital-star.com/briefs/shapi...
Shapiro urges feds to consider comments on data centers connecting to PJM grid • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The Data Center Coalition and PJM Power Providers Group argued the case would be “a distraction and a waste of time."
penncapital-star.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
AI data centers shouldn’t get a free pass while Pennsylvanians face higher bills and unreliable power. Gov. Shapiro is right: consumer voices must be heard before FERC gives hyperscalers like Amazon & Google the green light.
penncapital-star.com/briefs/shapi...
penncapital-star.com/briefs/shapi...
A federal judge attending a Trump rally the week after being confirmed? Ethics experts say this is textbook “appearance of impropriety.” Judges are supposed to be impartial — not cheerleaders.
www.inquirer.com/politics/nat...
www.inquirer.com/politics/nat...
Philly federal court judge Emil Bove attended Trump’s Poconos rally. Now he faces an ethics complaint.
The complaint alleges Bove, who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, violated the code of conduct for U.S. judges.
www.inquirer.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
A federal judge attending a Trump rally the week after being confirmed? Ethics experts say this is textbook “appearance of impropriety.” Judges are supposed to be impartial — not cheerleaders.
www.inquirer.com/politics/nat...
www.inquirer.com/politics/nat...
If SCOTUS guts Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, it’s not just Louisiana — minority communities across the country, including PA, lose a key tool to fight voter suppression. Democracy isn’t just about voting. It’s about having a say that counts.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12...
How Supreme Court review of a Voting Rights Act case affects PA
The outcome of a major U.S. Supreme Court case could make it harder for Pennsylvania’s Hispanic voters to fight for representation.
www.spotlightpa.org
December 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
If SCOTUS guts Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, it’s not just Louisiana — minority communities across the country, including PA, lose a key tool to fight voter suppression. Democracy isn’t just about voting. It’s about having a say that counts.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12...
In Trump's world, miners and other working people know their station in life, and aren't ungrateful enough to wish for more.
buff.ly/fssT6AN
buff.ly/fssT6AN
buff.ly
December 12, 2025 at 2:39 PM
In Trump's world, miners and other working people know their station in life, and aren't ungrateful enough to wish for more.
buff.ly/fssT6AN
buff.ly/fssT6AN
Three grand juries. Zero indictments. The DOJ’s politically motivated vendetta against AG Letitia James has failed…again. Justice isn’t a game, but Trump’s retribution campaign keeps trying to play one. Spoiler: the house always wins.
Breaking News: A grand jury again rejected the Trump administration’s effort to bring charges against Letitia James, the New York attorney general.
A Grand Jury Again Resists Trump’s Push to Re-Indict Letitia James
It was a striking rejection of the administration’s retribution campaign.
nyti.ms
December 11, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Three grand juries. Zero indictments. The DOJ’s politically motivated vendetta against AG Letitia James has failed…again. Justice isn’t a game, but Trump’s retribution campaign keeps trying to play one. Spoiler: the house always wins.
After decades of “craters,” East Hills Drive is finally repaired thanks to $250K in state funding and the leadership of state Reps. La’Tasha Mayes and Joe McAndrew.
Community voices + state partnership = real results on the ground.
buff.ly/TsvlJel
Community voices + state partnership = real results on the ground.
buff.ly/TsvlJel
After years of disrepair, road upgrade restores key link between Penn Hills, Pittsburgh's East Hills
Local officials and East Hills community members cut a ceremonial ribbon and celebrated the completed paving of East Hills Drive.
www.wesa.fm
December 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
After decades of “craters,” East Hills Drive is finally repaired thanks to $250K in state funding and the leadership of state Reps. La’Tasha Mayes and Joe McAndrew.
Community voices + state partnership = real results on the ground.
buff.ly/TsvlJel
Community voices + state partnership = real results on the ground.
buff.ly/TsvlJel
Reposted by Michael Herzing
Childcare costs are skyrocketing nationally, and keeping good staff is a big part of the problem. In the new budget, @pahousedems.com included a $450 bonus for childcare workers as an incentive for them to stay on the job.
www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Pa.’s $450 childcare worker bonus: Will it help the industry’s crisis?
As childcare costs skyrocket nationally, the Pennsylvania budget tried to address funding gaps in the state.
www.pennlive.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Childcare costs are skyrocketing nationally, and keeping good staff is a big part of the problem. In the new budget, @pahousedems.com included a $450 bonus for childcare workers as an incentive for them to stay on the job.
www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
www.pennlive.com/politics/202...
Pennsylvania just took a major step toward protecting families from dangerous fracking pollution — and Republicans + gas lobbyists are furious.
Kids living near wells are getting sick. Studies show higher cancer risks. The public wants action.
Kids living near wells are getting sick. Studies show higher cancer risks. The public wants action.
Pa. will study a plan to keep new natural gas pads farther from homes, schools and hospitals • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Pennsylvania’s environmental regulator will study a plan to sharply increase the distance between new natural gas drilling sites and homes, schools and hospitals.
buff.ly
December 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Pennsylvania just took a major step toward protecting families from dangerous fracking pollution — and Republicans + gas lobbyists are furious.
Kids living near wells are getting sick. Studies show higher cancer risks. The public wants action.
Kids living near wells are getting sick. Studies show higher cancer risks. The public wants action.
Electric bills are soaring nationwide — and families are feeling the squeeze. While Democrats push for rate freezes, energy assistance, and real accountability, Republicans call affordability a “con job” and side with utility profits.
Rising electric bills lead to state scrutiny — but little relief for residents • Stateline
The last time the Maine Public Utilities Commission considered an electricity price hike, the proposal received fewer than 90 comments from the public. Three years later, amid skyrocketing energy…
buff.ly
December 11, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Electric bills are soaring nationwide — and families are feeling the squeeze. While Democrats push for rate freezes, energy assistance, and real accountability, Republicans call affordability a “con job” and side with utility profits.
The Senate just let health care subsidies for millions expire. Republicans offered a coupon for basic insurance while blocking Democrats’ plan to protect families. This isn’t politics—it’s people’s lives on the line.
Breaking News: The Senate deadlocked on proposals to avert rising health care costs, making it all but certain that Affordable Care Act subsidies will expire at the end of the month.
Trump Live Updates: Venezuelan Oil Tanker, Kilmar Abrego Garcia and More
nyti.ms
December 11, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The Senate just let health care subsidies for millions expire. Republicans offered a coupon for basic insurance while blocking Democrats’ plan to protect families. This isn’t politics—it’s people’s lives on the line.
Republicans had 7 years to come up with an Obamacare alternative — and now, days before ACA subsidies expire, they’re at war with each other again.
Democrats are fighting to keep health care affordable.
GOP is fighting… GOP.
Americans can’t wait while they relive 2017.
buff.ly/5VWKSMi
Democrats are fighting to keep health care affordable.
GOP is fighting… GOP.
Americans can’t wait while they relive 2017.
buff.ly/5VWKSMi
buff.ly
December 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Republicans had 7 years to come up with an Obamacare alternative — and now, days before ACA subsidies expire, they’re at war with each other again.
Democrats are fighting to keep health care affordable.
GOP is fighting… GOP.
Americans can’t wait while they relive 2017.
buff.ly/5VWKSMi
Democrats are fighting to keep health care affordable.
GOP is fighting… GOP.
Americans can’t wait while they relive 2017.
buff.ly/5VWKSMi