Philadelphia’s Committee on Licenses and Inspections passed a bill creating guidelines for regulating and inspecting lead paint in schools Monday.

First introduced by Councilman Mark Squilla (D-District 1), the measure establishes a new certificate of inspection for these buildings and outlines how these should take place. It also recognizes an advisory group that includes advocates, the district, and the teachers union to suggest further legislation.

A top Senate Republican is preparing a bill to let the General Assembly take control of the timeline for Pennsylvania’s 67 counties to replace their voting machines, but action could run afoul of a newly-settled lawsuit.

In response to a plan from Gov. Tom Wolf released in April, Senate Majority Whip John Gordner (R-Columbia) is circulating a co-sponsor memo to delay the decertification of any state voting machines until Wolf and the legislature can agree on funding the estimated $125 million expense.

Philadelphia’s Public Health and Human Services Committee passed an ordinance Friday that creates new regulations for the sales and marketing of certain prescription drugs in the city.

Philadelphia has become the epicenter of the opioid crisis, with over 1,200 people dying in the city from drug overdoses in 2017 alone. In response, the city has begun to sue drug manufacturers on their misleading marketing and overprescribing practices.

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale announced he is planning his own report on climate change in Pennsylvania Monday.

The report, which he said would be out by the budget deadline of June 30, will focus on state government responses to climate change and how the state can prepare for its adverse effects, from increased strain on emergency services to degrading infrastructure.

“It will not be the same as national or international action, but it is up to states to do what they can,” DePasquale said.

In their quest to create a new system to redraw Pennsylvania’s state political boundaries, Fair Districts PA is expanding their fight to another arcane area: House rules.

“The time is very short,” Carol Kuniholm, executive director of the redistricting organization, said.

The announcement came at an event attended by roughly 200 statewide advocates Saturday afternoon at the Pennsylvania State Museum.