Policy

Updated Policy

City & State’s 2026-27 Pennsylvania state budget tracker

Legislative leaders passed a budget bill in April, though negotiations on a final product are ongoing.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Artificial Intelligence

Policy

Pennsylvania sues Character.AI developer, alleging chatbots claimed to be medical professionals

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration says a controversial AI chatbot developer is violating the state’s Medical Practice Act.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Energy

Policy

Burgum, Perry tout importance of nuclear energy in visit to Three Mile Island

The U.S. Secretary of the Interior said the Trump administration’s policies have led to a “renaissance” for nuclear energy.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Capitol Beat

Policy

House passes bill that would enshrine LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections in state law

Tuesday’s vote is the latest attempt to advance LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections in Pennsylvania.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

News & Politics

Policy

The City & State Q&A: Attorney General Dave Sunday

The state’s chief law enforcement officer talks with City & State about how artificial intelligence tools are affecting children, teens and vulnerable populations.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

News & Politics

Policy

In return to Harrisburg, Senate votes on women’s sports, municipal planning legislation

City & State reviews key votes in the Pennsylvania Senate this week.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Philadelphia

Updated Policy

Philadelphia City Council passes ‘ICE OUT’ legislation out of committee

Council can get the legislative package across the finish line as early as April 23

  • By Harrison Cann

cannabis

Policy

Poll: Pennsylvanians across party lines support a regulated cannabis marketplace

A survey conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research found that 69% of likely voters support regulation and taxation of adult-use cannabis

  • By Harrison Cann

Technology

Policy

Power plays: The battle over data centers in PA

Inside the $100 billion rush to turn Pennsylvania into the nation’s AI engine – and the local efforts trying to stop it.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Agriculture

Policy

PA’s next generation of farmers is finding their roots

In the only state with its own Farm Bill, young farmers find support as they evolve a $132 billion industry

  • By Hilary Danailova

General Assembly

Policy

PA House passes minimum wage, paid family leave bills

House lawmakers voted on several high-profile bills to close out March.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Capitol Beat

Policy

House GOP lawmakers introduce ‘tax holiday’ bills to address affordability concerns

Lawmakers are proposing temporary “holidays” from several state taxes.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Policy

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.

  • By Hilary Danailova

Technology

Policy

PA House lawmakers approve data center regulation bill

Lawmakers passed House Bill 1834 with a 104-95 vote.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Technology

Policy

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.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Policy

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.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Healthcare

Policy

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.

  • By Hilary Danailova

Education

Policy

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.

  • By Hilary Danailova

Healthcare

Policy

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

  • By Hilary Danailova

Capitol Beat

Policy

PA House committee advances data center bills

Two data center bills were reported out of the House Energy Committee along party lines.

  • By Justin Sweitzer
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