Commonwealth Court
Coverage of Commonwealth Court in the Nexus archive.
- Why is the Green Party trying to kick a Green Party candidate off the ballot in the Pa.?
Andrew Tupone sought a spot on the ballot in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District under the Green Party label, submitting nomination papers with thousands of signatures. The state Green Party filed an objection in Commonwealth Court, claiming that voters were misled into signing because Tupone was not affiliated with or endorsed by the GPPA. Additionally, democratic voters lodged a separate objection alleging issues with the collected signatures.
- Pennsylvanians can use Medicaid to cover abortions — at least for now
A Commonwealth Court judge ruled Pennsylvanians can temporarily use Medicaid to cover abortions, overturning a 40-year ban. The decision follows a 4-3 ruling in April that found the ban violated the state constitution’s Equal Rights Amendment. The Republican state Attorney General has appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, but a judge allowed the lower court’s decision to stand pending review.
- Attorney General Dave Sunday appeals decision overturning Pa.’s ban on Medicaid-funded abortion
Pennsylvania's Republican attorney general, Dave Sunday, is appealing a Commonwealth Court decision that overturned the state's ban on Medicaid-funded abortions. The court ruled the ban unconstitutional as sex-based discrimination and recognized abortion as a fundamental right under the state constitution. Sunday argues he must defend state laws, while opponents claim the appeal delays access to reproductive care.