HARRISBURG – ABC 27 reports…The pack of Republicans who want to be president are off and running but for most, the race will end before Pennsylvanians vote in the late April primary.

Senate Bill 224 would change that and move the primary date from the current April 23, the first day of Passover, to March 19, a post-St. Patrick’s primary.

Costa says every new date suggested raises new issues.

There are also lots of logistics like scheduling and training of poll workers, and securing voting machines and polling places.

Feaser says counties will adjust to whatever lawmakers decide but he urges them to decide quickly so he and his colleagues across the commonwealth have time to prepare.

The primary move is for next year only not a permanent change to Pennsylvania primary dates, which is standard.

HARRISBURG – ABC 27 also reports…A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to ensure shoppers can still use cash to purchase items as many businesses seek to go cash-free.

State Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) has introduced legislation that would update the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to include refusing to accept cash payment as a definition for “unfair methods of competition” and “unfair or deceptive acts or practices.”

The bill would apply to transactions under $500 when the purchaser is physically present.

Businesses can have a written policy that cash in excess of a certain denomination will not be accepted as long as the policy is posted prior to the point of sale, according to the bill.

According to a 2022 Pew Research Center survey, roughly 41% of Americans aren’t using cash during a typical week, up from 29% in 2018. Thirty percent of Americans with a household income below $30,000 a year say they still use cash for almost all their purchases.