On today’s episode of The Confluence: The state Supreme Court could consider three cases that challenge the inability of municipalities to set their own gun regulations; the airport has added more direct flights, in anticipation of a busy summer season; and we speak to an attorney about how their undocumented clients are faring after a South Side office that held immigration hearings was closed.
Today’s guests include: Angela Couloumbis, investigative reporter at Spotlight PA; Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority; and Kristen Schneck, a Pittsburgh-based immigration attorney.
Lawsuits in Pennsylvania Supreme Court aim to give municipalities power over gun laws
(0:00 - 7:08)
After a series of mass shootings throughout the U.S., and even one here in Pittsburgh, some are calling on state lawmakers for action on gun legislation. But absent action on the state level, local lawmakers are also looking at what they can accomplish. Three lawsuits that have been appealed to the state Supreme Court could ultimately give municipalities the power to pass their own gun laws.
One case, originating in Philadelphia, directly challenges a 1995 law that grants the state legislature soul authority in creating gun laws. The suit argues that gun violence is an issue of health.
“It's a novel argument,” says Angela Couloumbis, a reporter for SpotlightPA. “We haven't seen it in previous lawsuits involving firearm controls, [the thinking] is that a city or municipality should have the right to protect the health and safety of its residents.”
A 3-2 decision from Commonwealth Court dismissed this logic. The opinion argued that it’s still in the interest of the state legislature to maintain uniformity on gun laws. A similar augment was given when the court overturned the Pittsburgh assault weapons ban that followed the Tree of Life shooting.
The state Supreme Court has not yet taken up any of the cases, however, advocates on both sides of the issue believe that there is a chance the Democratic majority on the court will review the merits of the 1995 law.
Pittsburgh air travel sees more passengers but has not yet rebounded from the pandemic
(7:10- 16:37)
The summer travel season is underway, and officials at Pittsburgh International Airport hope that bodes well for increased passenger traffic. In 2021, 6.4 million passengers went through the airport, less than two-thirds of the 9.8 million that flew in 2019.
“We are continuing to see demand surge,” says Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority. “It's hard to put toothpaste back in the tube and people are used to traveling, and they want to do it again.”
Cassotis says in April the airport returned to 87% of its pre-pandemic travel rates. With the summer travel season in full swing, she expects travel to continue to rise in the coming months.
Last Friday, the first non-stop flight from Pittsburgh to London went out since the pandemic began. Despite the deficit in domestic flights, British Airways says that bookings for that route are higher than they were in 2019. The route also opens up travelers to more locations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Cassotis says that in addition to international travel, a new low-cost route to Newark could lead to more budget options to Philadelphia and Boston.
The closure of Pittsburgh’s immigration court is making it harder for individuals to appeal their cases
(16:42- 22:30)
Five weeks ago Pittsburgh's immigration court closed. Immigration rights advocates and attorneys were surprised by this closing, calling on the federal government to reverse the decision.
“The fear is that people who lack the technological literacy… might face extreme challenges where they're not able to obtain their immigration court hearings,” says Pittsburgh-based immigration attorney Kristen Schneck. “And as a result, they might choose to abandon their case.”
Schneck says that since the court’s closing, they have seen some of these technology issues play out in large group hearings. She says that these technical issues could ultimately lead a defendant to be deported if they do not show up for their hearing.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
