In this week's Family Update, we discuss President Trump's Executive Order protecting women's sports, and how the fight continues in PA. We also cover Governor Shapiro's push for marijuana legalization and provide updates on key legal battles, including a religious liberty case in Washington and a lawsuit that could force Pennsylvania taxpayers to fund elective abortions. Finally, we announce our 2025 internship program, offering college students hands-on experience in pro-family policy and advocacy. |
President Trump's Executive Order is a Victory for Women's Sports—But the Fight is Far From Over |
Yesterday, President Donald Trump took decisive action to protect women's sports by signing an executive order ensuring that only biological females compete in female athletic competitions. This marks a significant victory for fairness, safety, and the integrity of girls' sports in Pennsylvania and across the nation. However, while this executive order is a critical step forward, it is not the final battle. Lasting legislative solutions and school board-level policies are needed to ensure these protections are permanently enshrined in law. |
Gov. Shapiro's marijuana push puts profits over public health and safety |
Tuesday's budget remarks by Governor Josh Shapiro failed to address the significant costs that would befall Pennsylvanians with highly addictive marijuana being marketed and sold for retail recreational use — costs like a rise in mental health problems, more health and safety risks on our roads and in the workplace, and increased youth use. PA Family Institute's Chief Strategy Officer Dan Bartkowiak called it irresponsible of Gov. Shapiro to put claims of profits over the health and safety of Pennsylvania citizens by calling for high potency THC to be commercialized in every community across the Commonwealth: "This type of irresponsible marijuana legalization would put more people at risk on Pennsylvania roadways and workplaces and jeopardize the health and safety of our children. There's nothing recreational about more people harmed by addictive substances, which is what we're seeing in states experimenting with unleashing the marijuana industry through a retail recreational use market." |
Amicus Brief Filed: Union Gospel Mission of Yakima Washington v. Ferguson |
The Independence Law Center filed an amicus brief in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supporting Union Gospel Mission of Yakima, Washington as the State of Washington is appealing the district court ruling after the initial win by the ministry. Our brief, written on behalf of another religious rescue mission ministry, stresses the importance of the coreligionist doctrine in preserving a religious organization's ability to hire employees who share the ministry's beliefs and who seek to live consistently with those values. We had previously filed a similar brief in 2023 when the case was previously before the Ninth Circuit. |
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Commonwealth Court Hears Oral Arguments in Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. PA Dept of Human Services |
The Commonwealth Court convened on Wednesday to hear oral arguments in the case of Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, a pivotal lawsuit that could force Pennsylvania taxpayers to fund elective abortions. This case represents yet another attempt by the abortion industry to dismantle long-standing pro-life protections and impose an extreme pro-abortion agenda through judicial activism rather than the democratic process. |
College Students: Build Your Future in Pro-Family Policy – Apply for Our 2025 Internships! |
The Pennsylvania Family Institute is now accepting applications for our paid 2025 college internship program in downtown Harrisburg, just blocks from the State Capitol! This hands-on opportunity allows students to work alongside our communications, policy and legal teams, gaining experience in advocacy communications and marketing, government relations, legislative advocacy, legal research, and grassroots mobilization. Plus, interns play a key role in organizing our City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference (July 20-26, 2025). Don't miss this chance to develop your skills and make an impact! |
Did you know you can follow us on the X social platform to keep up with the latest news and content from PA Family. → https://x.com/PFIpolicy. For all other social platforms see below. |
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- March 22: Advocates For Life Program. Learn more HERE.
- March 29: Grandparenting with Grace Seminar. More details coming soon.
- April 3-5: PA Leadership Conference. (More details on a PA Family workshop and panel coming soon). More info HERE.
- April 5: Biblical Worldview Conference 2025 – Reclaiming Truth in a Culture of Confusion with Dr. Carl Trueman. More info HERE.
- May 7: National Day of Prayer.
- May 30: Pittsburgh Friends of the Family Banquet. More details coming soon.
- July 20-26: 25th annual City on the Hill Youth Leadership and Worldview Conference. Register at pafamily.org/coth.
- September 22: Pennsylvania March for Life. For more information, visit: marchforlife.org/pennsylvania/.
- October 11: Hershey Friends of the Family Banquet. More details coming soon.
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| - Pray for Legislators and Senators taking a stand for what is right and pushing back against bad legislation.
- Pray for the leadership and staff of Pennsylvania Family Institute, the Independence Law Center, and the Church Ambassador Network.
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Pennsylvania Family Institute Protect Life. Promote Family. Preserve Freedom 23 N Front St | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 545-0600 | mail@pafamily.org |
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