MARC LEVY

Statehouse and politics reporter

Levy covers politics and state government in Pennsylvania for The Associated Press. He is based in Harrisburg.

FILE - Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., chair of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 14, 2023. A federal judge is ordering Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania to turn over more than 1,600 texts and emails to FBI agents investigating efforts to keep President Donald Trump in office after his 2020 election loss and illegally block the transfer of power to Democrat Joe Biden. The ruling, late Monday, came more than a year after Perry’s personal cellphone was seized by federal authorities. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Congressman told to hand over hundreds of texts and emails to FBI in 2020 election probe

A federal judge is ordering Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania to turn over more than 1,600 texts and emails to FBI agents investigating efforts to keep President Donald Trump in office after his 2020 election loss.

FILE - Pennsylvania House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, speaks with members of the media at the state Capitol, Feb. 21, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Late Wednesday night, Dec. 13, Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania defeated legislation to send more than $35 million to the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary school over criticism that the Ivy League school has tolerated antisemitism, as statehouses around the U.S. eye how higher ed is handling tensions around the Israel-Hamas war. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

GOP lawmakers sink aid to Penn as statehouses watch how universities are handling Israel-Hamas war

Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania are rejecting legislation to send more than $33.5 million to the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school over criticism that the Ivy League school has tolerated antisemitism.

Private schools, child care legislation pass in Pennsylvania as lawmakers move past budget feud

Lawmakers are moving past a monthslong budget feud in Pennsylvania’s Capitol. The House and Senate approved legislation Wednesday that ties up loose ends and sends millions more to subsidize private school tuition and child care.

FILE - University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill listens during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Washington. Magill has resigned amid pressure from donors and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Liz Magill, U. Penn’s president, and board chair resign as antisemitism testimony draws backlash

University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill has resigned amid pressure from donors and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy.

Harvard President Claudine Gay speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Harvard president apologizes for remarks on antisemitism as pressure mounts on Penn’s president

Harvard University’s president apologized as pressure mounted for the University of Pennsylvania’s president to resign over their testimony at a congressional hearing on antisemitism.

FILE - Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., chair of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 14, 2023. Texts and emails sent by Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania have emerged publicly in a court filing that hints at how Perry worked to keep Donald Trump in office after his 2020 election loss. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

A court filing gives a rare look inside the FBI seizure of a lawmaker’s phone in 2020 election probe

Texts and emails sent by Republican congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania have emerged publicly in a court filing that hints at how he worked to keep President Donald Trump in office after his 2020 election loss.

This photo provided by the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa shows the screen of a Unitronics device that was hacked in Aliquippa, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. The hacked device was in a pumping booster station owned by the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa. An electronic calling card left by the hackers suggests they picked their target because it uses components made by an Israeli company. (Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa via AP)

Breaches by Iran-affiliated hackers spanned multiple U.S. states, federal agencies say

U.S. and Israeli authorities say a small western Pennsylvania water authority was just one of multiple organizations breached by Iran-affiliated hackers who targeted a specific industrial control device because it is Israeli-made.

This photo provided by the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa shows the screen of a Unitronics device that was hacked in Aliquippa, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. The hacked device was in a pumping booster station owned by the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa. An electronic calling card left by the hackers suggests they picked their target because it uses components made by an Israeli company. (Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa via AP)

Congressmen ask DOJ to investigate water utility hack, warning it could happen anywhere

Three members of Congress are asking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate how hackers breached a water utility system near Pittsburgh.

FILE - Chester County, Pa. election workers process mail-in and absentee ballots at West Chester University in West Chester on Nov. 4, 2020. Pennsylvania is trying anew to help voters using mail-in ballots in the battleground state avoid mistakes that might get their ballot thrown out in 2024's presidential election and beyond. In a new directive Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration asked counties to start using a standard set of instructions to voters on how to complete mail-in ballots and to take other steps, such as using colored envelopes. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Pennsylvania is trying to help voters avoid mistakes that would invalidate their mail ballot

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is trying anew to help voters using mail-in ballots in the battleground state avoid mistakes that might get their ballot thrown out in 2024’s presidential election and beyond.

FILE - Pennsylvania state House of Representatives' impeachment manager Rep. Craig Williams, reads the articles of impeachment against Philadelphia's Democratic district attorney, Larry Krasner, in the Senate chamber at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. Williams announced Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, that he is running for Pennsylvania's attorney general. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Lawmaker helping lead impeachment of Philadelphia’s prosecutor will run for state attorney general

A state lawmaker who’s helping lead the effort to impeach Philadelphia’s elected prosecutor is the newest candidate for Pennsylvania attorney general. Rep.

FILE - Delaware County, Pa., District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer looks on during a news conference outside Academy Park High School, April 26, 2022, in Sharon Hill, Pa. Stollsteimer, a Democrat, announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania attorney general on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Delaware County’s top prosecutor becomes fifth Democrat to run for Pennsylvania attorney general

Delaware County’s twice-elected top prosecutor will run for attorney general of Pennsylvania in 2024.

FILE - The Pennsylvania Capitol is seen, Feb. 21, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Democrats who control the state House of Representatives on Tuesday, Nov. 14, advanced an estimated $1.8 billion boost to the pensions of Pennsylvania state government and public school retirees, with supporters saying they have been hard hit by inflation. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Automatic pay raise pays dividends, again, for top state officials in Pennsylvania

A Pennsylvania law that delivers automatic pay raises for state officials will pay dividends next year.

FILE - The Conemaugh Generation Station emits steam in New Florence, Pa., Feb. 6, 2007. Pennsylvania cannot enforce a regulation to make power plant owners pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, a state court ruled Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, dealing another setback to the centerpiece of former Gov. Tom Wolf's plan to fight global warming. (Todd Berkey/The Tribune-Democrat via AP, File)

Pennsylvania governor appeals decision blocking plan to make power plants pay for greenhouse gases

Gov. Josh Shapiro says he’ll appeal a court ruling that blocked a state regulation to make Pennsylvania’s power plant owners pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro smiles during an appearance at the Pennsylvania Press Club, Nov. 20, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Shapiro says unfinished business includes vouchers, more school funding and higher minimum wage

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says his list of unfinished business for the state Legislature includes passing a private school voucher program, increasing the minimum wage and approving bills to curb gun violence.

FILE - The Pennsylvania Capitol is seen, Feb. 21, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Democrats who control the state House of Representatives on Tuesday, Nov. 14, advanced an estimated $1.8 billion boost to the pensions of Pennsylvania state government and public school retirees, with supporters saying they have been hard hit by inflation. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Pennsylvania lawmakers OK millions for universities, but feud over private and public school aid

Pennsylvania’s Legislature is approving aid for universities after a fight that has dragged on five months into the fiscal year.

FILE - The Pennsylvania Capitol is seen, Feb. 21, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Democrats who control the state House of Representatives on Tuesday, Nov. 14, advanced an estimated $1.8 billion boost to the pensions of Pennsylvania state government and public school retirees, with supporters saying they have been hard hit by inflation. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Pennsylvania House OKs $1.8 billion pension boost for government and public school retirees

Lawmakers are advancing an estimated $1.8 billion boost to the pensions of Pennsylvania state government and public school retirees.

Democrat Dan McCaffery, who is running for a seat on the state Supreme Court is introduced at a campaign rally and appearance by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in Newtown, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 (Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Expensive judicial races might be here to stay in Pennsylvania after record high court campaign

The race for an open seat on Pennsylvania’s highest court initially resembled the sleepy contests that had played out for decades.

Daniel McCaffery, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Supreme Court judge, arrives at his polling place to vote in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Democrat Dan McCaffery wins open seat on Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Democrat Dan McCaffery has won an open seat on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, preserving its 5-2 Democratic majority.

FILE - Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., speaks during a rally at the National Mall during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Washington, Oct. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

War in the Middle East upends the dynamics of 2024 House Democratic primaries

Most members of Congress have stood firmly behind Israel since the Hamas attack, but not Cori Bush. The Missouri Democrat called Israel’s response an “ethnic cleansing campaign,” and was among 10 House members who did not back a resolution supporting Israel.

Candidate for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Judge Daniel McCaffery speaks to supporters at Snipes Farm in Morrisville, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd)

Pennsylvania’s election will be headlined by races for statewide courts, including a high court seat

Pennsylvania voters will settle four statewide judicial contests in Tuesday’s election, filling an open seat on the state Supreme Court and three seats on two lower appellate courts.

FILE - The Conemaugh Generation Station emits steam in New Florence, Pa., Feb. 6, 2007. Pennsylvania cannot enforce a regulation to make power plant owners pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, a state court ruled Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, dealing another setback to the centerpiece of former Gov. Tom Wolf's plan to fight global warming. (Todd Berkey/The Tribune-Democrat via AP, File)

Pennsylvania court permanently blocks effort to make power plants pay for greenhouse gas emissions

A court says Pennsylvania can’t enforce a regulation to make power plant owners pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Republican candidate Judge Carolyn Carluccio speaks at a meet and greet at County Corvette in West Chester, Pa., Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd)

Spending passes $17M in Pennsylvania high court campaign as billionaires, unions and lawyers dig in

Millions more dollars are flowing into Pennsylvania’s race for a state Supreme Court seat, as labor unions, trial lawyers and billionaires spend heavily.

Police officers speak with a motorist at a roadblock, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lisbon, Maine, during a manhunt for the suspect of Wednesday's mass shootings. The shootings took place at a restaurant and bowling alley in nearby Lewiston, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Maine passed a law to try to prevent mass shootings. Some say more is needed after Lewiston killings

Barely four years before a gunman’s deadly rampage in Maine, the state’s governor signed a law to prevent mass shootings.

FILE - Daniel McCaffery, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Supreme Court judge, speaks at a women's organizing event and canvass launch hosted by the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, Sept. 30, 2023, in Norristown, Pa. The U.S. Supreme Court's current conservative majority has delivered major victories for conservatives, and now, liberal discontent over those rulings is playing a major role in Pennsylvania's top-of-the-ballot election this fall. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd, File)

The US Supreme Court notched big conservative wins. It’s a key issue in Pennsylvania’s fall election

Liberal discontent over rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority is playing a role in Pennsylvania’s top-of-the-ballot election this fall.

FILE - A 2021 Toyota Prius that runs on a hydrogen fuel cell sits on display at the Denver auto show on Sept. 17, 2021, at Elitch's Gardens in downtown Denver. The White House has selected the Philadelphia area and West Virginia for two regional hubs to produce and deliver hydrogen fuel, an important part of the Biden administration's clean energy plan, according to a person familiar with the plan. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

White House poised to announce winners of competition to produce hydrogen fuel

The White House is poised to announce the winners of a $7 billion federal competition to produce and deliver hydrogen fuel, a key component of its clean energy program.

FILE - A voter, right, checks in with an election worker before casting her ballot in the Pennsylvania primary in Philadelphia, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Counties in Pennsylvania have told Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and lawmakers that it is too late to move up the state's 2024 presidential primary date if counties are to successfully administer the election. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Pennsylvania counties tell governor, lawmakers it’s too late to move 2024’s primary election date

Counties in Pennsylvania are telling Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and lawmakers that it’s too late to move up the state’s 2024 presidential primary date.

FILE - Pennsylvania's Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at the state Capitol, Jan. 17, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Shapiro — a first-term Democrat seen by his party as a rising star nationally — gave his backing to a Republican-backed school voucher proposal over the summer. School choice advocates say that makes Shapiro unique among Democratic governors and could mark an evolution in traditional alliances on school choice politics. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor, a rising political star, crosses partisan school choice divide

Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s support has raised the state’s profile in the national school voucher debate and given advocates optimism the program will become law.

Pennsylvania House passes legislation to complete overdue budget. Decisions now lie with the Senate

Democrats who control Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives are making another attempt to send hundreds of millions of dollars to four Pennsylvania universities and get around a partisan dispute that has stalled the money from passing.

FILE - Candidate for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judge Daniel McCaffery poses for a portrait in Norristown, PA Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Spending in Pennsylvania's state Supreme Court has picked up, with millions flowing into the race between McCaffery and Republican Carolyn Carluccio although either winner won't change the partisan balance on the seven-seat high court, but it could narrow the Democratic majority to a one-vote margin should Carluccio win. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd, File)

Attack ads and millions of dollars flow into race for Pennsylvania Supreme Court seat

Spending in the campaign for an open Pennsylvania state Supreme Court seat is picking up, with millions of dollars flowing into the race as the sides sharpen their attacks over questions about ethics and abortion rights.

FILE - Chester County, Pa. election workers process mail-in and absentee ballots at West Chester University in West Chester on Nov. 4, 2020. Donald Trump has a familiar target in his sights: Pennsylvania’s voting rules. He never stopped attacking mail-in ballot changes made through the courts during the pandemic, falsely claiming it as a reason for his 2020 defeat in the crucial battleground state. Now the former president is seizing on a decision by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro to bypass the Legislature and start automatic voter registration. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Pennsylvania governor’s voter registration change draws Trump’s ire in echo of 2020 election clashes

Donald Trump has Pennsylvania’s voting rules in his sights, and it’s a familiar target. Trump has never stopped attacking mail-in ballot changes made through the courts during the pandemic and he falsely claimed it was one reason for his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the battleground state.