HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The $50 billion Pennsylvania budget was more than legislative Republicans wanted to spend, but they did it because Democrats agreed to stop pursuing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is a tax on carbon polluters.

“It was a nail not only in the Boilermakers coffin when RGGI came into play, it was a nail in our knees,” said Shawn Steffee, business agent for Boilermakers Local 154 Pittsburgh.

In 2019, then Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed an executive order seeking to join RGGI. The compact with 11 other states sets a goal to reduce planet-warming emissions and requires power plants to purchase allowances to release carbon dioxide.

It has been paused since then as it went through court challenges, never coming into effect in Pennsylvania.

Now, GOP lawmakers said they’ve charted a new path for the state that will welcome power producers promising trade jobs and lower electric bills.

“This is a total reset for what is the dominant economic driver of this Commonwealth, and that’s the production of energy and electricity,” said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R).

But some Democrats are frustrated with their party’s concession. Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware County) called Republican colleagues “climate deniers.”

Vitali’s anger extends to his own party and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), too.

“The reason why RGGI was on the chopping block was Governor Shapiro never supported it,” Vitali said.

Shapiro insists the state can both promote energy production and protect the environment. There’s no argument against that from Republicans.

“I believe the climate is changing as it has changed for millions and millions of years,” Pittman said. “When we bring new technologies to the marketplace, we do in fact reduce emissions while increasing output.”

Supports said the state has now rolled out the welcome mat for new business. It’s unclear when the stampede will begin at the State Capitol.

The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

07-33-50-57-66, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 5

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

Day: 6-5, Wild: 1

Evening: 9-2, Wild: 8

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

Day: 7-1-3, Wild: 1

Evening: 0-0-3, Wild: 8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

Day: 8-2-0-4, Wild: 1

Evening: 0-5-6-8, Wild: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

Day: 6-3-0-5-9, Wild: 1

Evening: 5-6-6-4-5, Wild: 8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

13-16-23-31-37, Cash Ball: 01

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

04-21-27-29-42

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

08-09-15-16-20

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

01-03-29-31-46-49

Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Nov. 17 drawing

11-18-23-59-69, Powerball: 05

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

• Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
• Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
• Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
• Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.

When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
• Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
• Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
• Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
• Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
• Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
• Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

• This new contract comes after workers had previously scheduled a three-day strike in October but opted to continue negotiations instead.
• SEIU Healthcare represents about 750 employees across the 10 facilities, including nurses, aides and support staff.

Union workers at 10 Pennsylvania long-term care facilities, including one in Millcreek Township, have ratified a new labor deal less than a month after they had scheduled a three-day strike.

Members of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania approved the agreement with owner Valley West Health the week of Nov. 7, an SEIU spokeswoman said in an email. Since it was a wage reopener, the agreement dealt with employee pay and the current contract continues to run through the end of 2028.

“We have a lot of work to do to maintain the stability of the industry in Pennsylvania, and we hope to build a relationship with Valley West in the future to retain and recruit the workforce that residents deserve,” Matthew Yarnell, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania president, said in a statement.

The agreement includes “multiple scheduled wage increases,” according to Aharon Franco, vice president of operations for Valley West’s parent organization, Oxford Health.

Oxford Health purchased 10 facilities from Guardian Healthcare in 2024, including Walnut Creek Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, 4850 Zuck Road, and others in Titusville, Oil City, Clarion, Waynesburg, Johnstown, Uniontown, Hastings, Warren and Lewistown.

SEIU voted to hold three-day strike, but negotiated instead

SEIU reached a labor deal with Valley West in 2024 after the company notified SEIU officials that it wouldn’t honor the union’s labor contract with Guardian. The deal included an opportunity to resume negotiations in 2025.

When initial talks yielded no progress and Valley West postponed a second session, SEIU members voted to hold a three-day strike Oct. 14-16 at eight of the facilities and informational picketing at two others. Valley West officials said the 2024 agreement included a “no-strike” clause.

Instead of striking, SEIU Healthcare members agreed to negotiate on Oct. 16. Progress was made and a second session was held.

Union looking for wage hikes to match SEIU members elsewhere

SEIU Healthcare members were seeking an increase in wages that would place them at levels similar to those at other Pennsylvania facilities staffed by SEIU members, who include nurses, nursing aides, housekeepers, and dietary and laundry staff.