Policy

Josh Shapiro

A recent history of efforts to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage

Lawmakers have attempted to raise the minimum wage in the commonwealth, with little success over the last 20 years.

Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, temporarily banning cars has become a new economic driver

The city’s Open Streets program has become successful and popular enough that key figures are looking into how to make permanent road closures a reality.

Health Care

Rural hospitals brace for Medicaid cuts

State healthcare experts fear what the fallout from the One Big Beautiful Bill will mean for Pennsylvania’s smaller hospitals – and the insurance coverage that keeps them running.

Housing

Allegheny County housing plan has a 500/500 chance of success

The initiative to create 500 units in 500 days is producing tangible benefits – and could be a model for other regions in the state and nation.

Economic Development

Breaking Regulations: Changing zoning, codes and bureaucracy could key housing solutions

Pennsylvania politicians at all levels are scrambling to find effective solutions to the state’s affordable housing crisis.

News & Politics

What we now know – and don’t know – about the Pennsylvania budget

Pennsylvania’s fiscal year started on July 1 – and the state still lacks a completed state budget.

U.S. Congress

This is not a test: PA public radio stations in emergency mode after rescission vote

A bill that would rescind more than $9 billion in already-approved federal funds now heads to the president’s desk.

News & Politics

Pittsburgh is only metro in U.S. where buying a home is cheaper than renting

A new rental report from Realtor.com shows that Pittsburgh stands out among metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Technology

‘This is a competition we have to win’: 4 observations from Dave McCormick’s AI and energy summit

Top leaders in tech and politics, including President Donald Trump, traveled to Pittsburgh for the inaugural event.

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Budget

End of the line: As funding deadline approaches, SEPTA plans on drastic cuts across the board

Assuming the worst, the transit agency is preparing for severe service cuts and fare increases

Technology

Pennsylvania is a Top 3 state for government AI readiness

A new analysis from Code For America says the commonwealth’s proactive approach to AI “positions it as a leader in responsible AI adoption and innovation.”

General Assembly

Junk fees, corporate taxes and boot camps: 5 bills advanced by PA lawmakers this week

City & State rounds up some of the major proposals considered in Harrisburg to close out June.

Technology

As Amazon moves in, lawmakers weigh innovation vs. oversight in AI policy

The efforts to make the commonwealth into an artificial intelligence powerhouse have plenty of upside and risk to go around.

Transportation

Losing their routes: PA’s transit funding crisis looms over rural systems

After years of ridership and funding issues, rural transit systems hope lawmakers will pony up so they can avoid service cuts.

Budget

Philly’s $6.8 billion budget by the numbers

Mayor Parker got final approval for her major H.O.M.E. initiative aimed at increasing affordable housing