June 
Green Party Candidates will Clean Up Pennsylvania Politics
Faced with long-term corruption in Pennsylvania, Green Party candidate for Governor Tony Dastra said, “I hope that Voters who are fed up with corruption in Harrisburg will turn to the Green Party this year for two candidates who want to ban bribery. Voters already know the problem – Pennsylvania is open for business, and big business has costs to pass off onto taxpayers.
“The fossil fuel industry is polluting our air, soil and water because politicians from the two corporate parties easily bend over,” said Dastra. “Our governor promised the people of Dimock, that they would get a fresh water line to replace the well water polluted by the fracking companies. They are still waiting for that fresh water line.
“Now we have a new cash grab called artificial intelligence, which is offering donations in return for the right to pollute our land and drinking water while devouring energy, Dastra continued. "Just look at our Governor, who is running for re-election. I read in the Philadelphia Inquirer that his campaign has already raised almost $17 million. Half of that was donated by '240 CEOs, founders, business owners, and other top executives.' Many of them do not live in our Commonwealth. So, they vote with their wallets.”
Chair Craig Bolton of the Green Party of Philadelphia agrees with Dastra. Bolton, who is running to be Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor, joined in, “My general thoughts on corruption in Harrisburg are that it ultimately stems from the two-party system. I believe there are organized efforts by Republicans to intentionally and vindictively withhold state resources from Philadelphia -- particularly crucial education and transit system funds. As usual, Democrats in both Harrisburg and Philadelphia make no true efforts to fix this. Instead, they present strategic half-measures which allow them to play off of the Republicans electorally, while they avoid addressing the root causes of corrupt cronyism in our Commonwealth’s partisan politics.” STORY HERE
PA Green News
Edited by Chris Robinson
Online Auction to Support Green Values Ends, June 13
Over thirty items of art and crafts, all generously donated by Greens and supporters, are available for bid online now through June 13 at 2 p.m., the time of the State Committee meeting. Bidding is easy: review the items at gpofpa.org/auction, and use the Comment form at the bottom of the page to specify (1) your selection(s), (2) your bid amounts, and (3) your contact information. The bids and amounts are hidden, so bid high for your best chance to secure your items. Many of the items are frameable works of art, and so they may be difficult and costly to ship; these will be distributed to winning bidders during the June and September State Committee meetings, or they can be picked up in Westmoreland County. Anyone can bid, and every bid supports the Party’s vitality and Green values in Pennsylvania. FIND THE GPPA AUCTION HERE
Lancaster Greens Will Table at Pride Festival, June 20
Green Party of Lancaster County will be tabling at Lancaster Pride Festival on June 20 at Penn Medicine Park. Find event details at www.lancasterpride.org/2026-pride-festival. Lancaster Greens will also table at the Big Bloom in Binns Park on June 14. Please RSVP to let them know if you can join their table via the GPPA Calendar, https://www.gpofpa.org/calendar
Montgomery County Greens to Table at Pride Festival, June 28
On June 28, Montgomery County Greens will gather voters’ signatures at the Bucks-Mont Pride Festival at the Abington Art Festival. Please RSVP via the GPPA Calendar, https://www.gpofpa.org/bucks_mont_pride_2026
Allegheny Green Party Builds Support for Candidates
The Green Party of Allegheny County (GPOAC) will be gathering signatures from voters on Green Party nomination papers for the Dastra-Bolton Campaign for Governor. GPOAC asks Green Party members to join in tabling at the South Park Amphitheater for these events:
June 5, River City Brass Concert,
June 12, Jimmie Ross & The Jaggerz Concert, and
June 19, Coltt Winter Lepley & Briar Valley Rangers Concert.
Please RSVP via the GPPA Calendar, https://www.gpofpa.org/calendar
Campaign Updates
Edited by Chris Robinson
The Green Party has endorsed two candidates for state-wide office.
Tony Dastra for Governor of Pennsylvania
Tony Dastra told GREEN STAR, “Our campaign is going well and appears to be engaging voters from all across the political spectrum. We continue to need volunteers for signature gathering, but efforts are going well. Data center projects are revealing to people all across the state that they are being sold out. From Philly, Monroe, Allegheny, Tioga, and beyond voters see something is wrong with the two corporate parties, and they are ready to fight back. The point is, find your local issue and advocate in real life, not just on a screen. Be authentically you, and I have no doubt people will want to join in our collective fight.
“My last visit to Pittsburgh was very motivating. I was glad to see parts of the City I would not have otherwise seen if I was solely on my campaign grind. Instead I had a little fun, and I’m glad I got to participate in community action out there. I hope y’all out west buckle up, because love it or hate it, I have a feeling I’ll be coming back once a month for the next few months to table. More to come on that as I link up with my new and old friends in Pittsburgh; it’s good stuff.
“I look forward to seeing you in Harrisburg for our State Committee Meeting on June 13. Before that meeting, we will be part of the national data center protest at the Capitol Fountain at 10:00 am. This is also my cue to you that you should organize these protests in your local communities; I will be happy to help with that if you need a jump start.”
Craig Bolton for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Craig Bolton told GREEN STAR, “The illusion of choice between the corporate political parties is being shed, and for this reason the Dastra-Bolton Campaign for Pennsylvania governor, and others like it, are so important right now. The Democratic Party continues to struggle to remain relevant, and their inter-party cohesion dissolves in front of our eyes. It is up to the Green Party to maintain our resolve and have real, people-centered policies front-and-center while letting voters know that, yes, there is an alternative.”
You may volunteer for the Dastra-Bolton 2026 Campaign right here,
https://www.dastraforpa.org/
Please follow the campaign here,
Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/dastraforpa/
Facebook, facebook.com/DastraforPA
Website, https://www.dastraforpa.org/
Team Reports
Edited by Patrick O. McNally
The Green Party of Pennsylvania has four Action Teams:
Communication Team
The ComTeam has published five issues of GREEN STAR newsletter during 2026. Those newsletters have included the words of Green Party members from Allegheny, Bucks, Butler, Centre, Chester, Lancaster, Montgomery and Westmoreland Counties and Philadelphia. To see your name in print, please email your draft to [email protected]
Please join the Communication Team right here.
www.gpofpa.org/team_communications_join
Finance Team
Don’t forget to check out the Finance Team’s latest fundraiser, the GPPA online Auction at: http://www.gpofpa.org/auction. Your bid supports Green values and the essential, day-to-day efforts of the Party. The team has identified a new merchandise supplier and now has plans for receiving additional t-shirt, hat and merch designs, in keeping with the branding recommendations already identified in the GPUS style guide.
Please join the Finance Team right here.
https://www.gpofpa.org/team_finance_join
Green Wave Team
In the May Green Wave Team meeting, the team received updates from the Dastra—Bolton Campaign. Also reviewed were suggestions around clarity and content in a county’s bylaws. A plan for outreach to registered Greens in a county of focus is taking shape, along with the need for a recorded training for volunteers, detailing how they will carry it out. The team’s next meeting will again be on the third Monday of the month, June 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Please join the Green Wave Team right here.
www.gpofpa.org/team_greenwave_join
Core Team
The Core Team met on the first Monday of May to discuss projects in progress: a refreshed, new members’ handbook, an updated onboarding process and presentation, and making key updates to the GPPA website.
Please join the Core Team right here.
https://www.gpofpa.org/team_core_join
National Green News
Edited by David Ochmanowicz Jr.
War Crimes: U.S./Israel Attack on Iran
The Green Party platform opposes preemptive attacks on other nations and calls on the U.S. to follow the United Nations Charter in its disputes with other nations. The Green Party of New York presented a discussion on the dangers of the U.S. attack on Iran and how we can strengthen peace movements. Speakers: Margaret Kimberley, Green Party NY and Editor of Black Agenda Report; Dr. Peter A. LaVenia, Jr., Co-Chair, Green Party of NY and Assistant Professor of Political Science, SUNY Oneonta. WATCH THE WEBINAR HERE
Renewed Attack on Public Workers
Attacks on unions undermine living standards of all working people. For over five decades, neoliberal policies have caused public services austerity and job cuts. The assault has targeted educators, bus drivers, sanitation workers, healthcare workers and city employees. Underprivileged communities are hit hardest. Presented by Black & Green Wednesday. Speakers: President Jonathan Smith, American Postal Workers Union; President Carron "MsCeeJay" Johnson, American Federation of Teachers MO; Marc Mixon, IATSE Local 15 and Chair, Green Party of Washington State; and Howie Hawkins, Retired Teamster and Green Party 2020 nominee for President of the U.S.
WATCH THE WEBINAR HERE
Green Livestream, Podcast by Illinois Green Party
Eyde Arndell and Scott Free go live twice each week with news and current events on YouTube. They do not monetize, so shows are commercial-free. SUBSCRIBE HERE
Subscribe to GPUS Substack
Official Substack of the Green Party of the U.S.
SUBSCRIBE HERE
New GPUS Merch Drop!
The new shirt, hat and bumper stickers. Free shipping on all orders.
ORDER HERE
Global Green News
Edited by Hal Brown
Mexico: Senate Committee Approves Digital Privacy Initiative
The Senate’s Committee on Science and Technology has approved a key initiative led by Senator Waldo Fernández [of the Ecologist Green Party] to overhaul Mexico’s digital privacy laws. STORY HERE
Latvia: “Progressives” (PROGRESĪVIE) Aim to Safeguard Democracy and Green Transition
At an extraordinary congress in Riga, Latvia's Green-leaning party PROGRESĪVIE defined its roadmap for this autumn’s parliamentary elections. Prime Ministerial candidate Andris Šuvajevs positioned the party as the essential leader of a pro-European coalition, promising a firm stand against populism while prioritizing economic stability and cultural resilience. STORY HERE
Italy: Greens Propose a New Deal for the Alps
The Green group in the regional council recently held a landmark conference to address the increasing industrialization of mountain regions. Bringing together researchers, mountaineers, and activists, the event aimed to move beyond tourism-driven growth toward a model of ecological and social justice that preserves the "magic" of the Alpine landscape...Business leaders and politicians alike agreed that while the Alps are often used as a marketing tool, true protection requires the economy to respect ecological limits. STORY HERE
United Kingdom Green Party to Tackle Cost-of-Living, Climate Change and Inequality
[Green Party Member of Parliament] Hannah Spencer (center) said, “My Green colleagues and I are so incredibly disappointed in this King’s Speech...The government should have used this opportunity to lay out an urgent, transformative, progressive programme to redistribute wealth, tackle the nature and climate crisis and make life affordable for everyone.” STORY HERE
Norway: Green Party (MDG) Launches Plan to Shift Immigration from Stigma to Solidarity
MDG Justice Spokesperson Julie Stuestøl warned that the current immigration debate is damaging social cohesion. She accused right-wing factions and the Labour-led government of engaging in a race to the bottom that marginalizes individuals. “Integration is about participation, not identity,” Stuestøl stated, emphasizing that questioning who is “Norwegian enough” only creates parallel societies. STORY HERE
GPPA 2026 State Committee Meetings
Saturday, June 13, 2:00 pm, hybrid, RSVP HERE
Saturday, September 12 or Sunday, September 13, noon, hybrid
Sunday, November 15, noon, via Zoom
GPPA 2027 State Committee Meetings
Saturday, January 9, or Sunday, January 10, noon, hybrid
GPPA Communications Team
Issue Credits
Editors: Hal Brown, Patrick O. McNally, David Ochmanowicz, Jr. and Chris Robinson
Contributors: Craig Bolton, Tony Dastra, Theron Gilliland, Jr., Tristan Holland, J.J. Kondrich, Barbara Laxon, Alex Noyle, Chris Robinson, Tim Runkle and Kelly Soni
Layout: Hal Brown, Sherri Miller, and David Ochmanowicz Jr.
Graphic Arts: Kevin Richardson
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The GREEN STAR is an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania Communications Team * 2026.
