Policy
Capitol Beat
House GOP lawmakers introduce ‘tax holiday’ bills to address affordability concerns
Lawmakers are proposing temporary “holidays” from several state taxes.
Policy
Artists, politicians join together in state Capitol in bid for increased funding
In speech and song, arts advocates from around the commonwealth made the case for the state budget to expand grant offerings during Harrisburg’s annual PA Arts Advocacy Day.
Technology
PA House lawmakers approve data center regulation bill
Lawmakers passed House Bill 1834 with a 104-95 vote.
Technology
PA lawmakers advance SAFECHAT Act to protect children from AI chatbot interactions
The bill would require AI companion operators to take steps to prevent harmful interactions with chatbots.
Policy
Harrisburg leaders celebrate two new grants for downtown revitalization efforts
The state Department of Community and Economic Development is awarding more than 400,000 in grants to two local organizations.
Healthcare
Prenatal Attraction: The race to bring OB-GYNs to rural PA before maternity care deserts expand farther
Legislators and health officials are mulling a range of potential short- and long-term solutions – including more federal funding, bolstering the health workforce pipeline, and immigration reforms that would expand recruitment of foreign physicians.
Education
Report: PA school districts facing budget, mental health and special education challenges
Fiscal pressures, rising needs around student mental health and special education, are the key takeaways in the Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s 2026 State of Education report.
Healthcare
The state’s ‘maternity deserts’ are reaching a crisis point as rural hospitals continue to close childbirth services
Health officials blame the closures on a national OB-GYN shortage, along with rural population decline, high liability costs, a drop in immigration and the particular challenges of recruiting rural obstetricians
Capitol Beat
PA House committee advances data center bills
Two data center bills were reported out of the House Energy Committee along party lines.
Education
Advocates push to upgrade civics education standards
As the semiquincentennial commences, legislators, educators and nonprofit organizations are trying to seize the momentum to spotlight the subject.
Capitol Beat
‘Crisis mode’: Gov. Josh Shapiro outlines severity of PA bird flu surge
More than 7.6 million birds in Pennsylvania have been affected so far.
Education
New documentary focuses on plight of early childhood educators in PA
“The Hands That Shape Tomorrow,” directed by Emmy-winner Kyra Knox, shows the positive impact of a guaranteed income initiative program on teachers – and the fallout when it ends.
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Artificial Intelligence
5 takeaways from new state government report on AI
The report outlines a series of recommendations for AI use and adoption.
Artificial Intelligence
PA lawmakers show bipartisan interest in standards for data centers
Gov. Josh Shapiro called on lawmakers to enact standards for data center developers.
Budget
9 things to know about Josh Shapiro’s $53.3B budget proposal
Shapiro revisited past priorities and eyed new goals in an hour-long budget address.
Economic Development
Ask The Experts: Revitalizing Downtown Harrisburg
City & State talks with local leaders about plans to breathe new life into Harrisburg’s local economy.
Housing
Mayor Cherelle Parker unveils plans for modular housing factory in North Philadelphia
The announcement comes a day after Parker shared plans to redevelop an apartment complex in West Philadelphia
Business
‘Waiting for clarity’: Philadelphia region’s uncertain business climate tied to policy uncertainty
A Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia survey finds that health care and social assistance sector are driving job growth
Capitol Beat
PA Senate lawmakers reelect Kim Ward as president pro tempore
Ward was praised by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle as she was reelected to lead the upper chamber.
Policy
City & State's 5 for 2025: For PA immigrants, uncertainty, fear and resilience are the order of the day
As the year comes to an end, we look back at some staff and reader favorites from our reporting over the past 12 months.
