Check out the week as tweeted from lawmakers, influencers, and others around Pennsylvania state government.

Last Tuesday, millions of Pennsylvanians took to the polls to vote for judges and local officials. Statewide, they were also confronted with a ballot question that garnered a lot of fanfare and not as much understanding. 

Over 2.3 million voters responded to the “Marsy’s Law” ballot question, which offers a series of victim’s rights in criminal cases. More people cast votes on it than any of the judge retention races. 

Amid all the floor debates, press conferences and committee hearings, the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s newest co-sponsorship memos can get lost in the shuffle. That’s why The PLS Reporter rounds up some of the most noteworthy co-sponsorship memos each week, so you can stay informed of what’s going on in the Capitol. 

In this week’s feature are memos for proposals that would expand access to Veterans Courts, strengthen penalties for those who assault disabled individuals and direct the Joint State Government Commission to study mental health care access. 

We get it, session weeks are busy. That’s why we put together a list of the bills being discussed in committee and on the floor of the General Assembly that are worth devoting your precious time to tracking. From a lobbying gift ban to school choice, here are five bills to watch for the week of November 18.

Our Philadelphia Pal (TM) Marco Cerino sits down with freshman Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery), who is part of a batch of lawmakers who flipped seats in the Philadelphia suburbs. The pair chat about the challenges of getting up to speed as a new legislator, charter school reform and the challenges of mass transit in Ciresi's district. Like what you hear? Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Spotify.