Capitol Beat
Policy
Kim Ward suggests ‘six-month budget’ amid ongoing PA budget impasse
The Pennsylvania Senate president said school choice policies and mass transit funding remain sticking points.
Josh Shapiro
Policy
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
Policy
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.
Healthcare
Policy
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
Policy
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
Policy
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
Policy
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
Policy
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
Policy
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
Policy
‘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.
Budget
Policy
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
Policy
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
Policy
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
Policy
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.
Energy
Policy
‘Pennsylvania is on the rise’: state and business leaders celebrate plans to reopen Three Mile Island nuclear reactor
Constellation says the rebranded Crane Clean Energy Center could open as soon as 2027.
Transportation
Policy
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.
News & Politics
Policy
Democrats look to the state Senate again after passing transit funding out of the House
House Bill 1364 passed the state House Tuesday by a vote of 107-96.
Budget
Policy
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
Technology
Policy
‘All in on AI’: Shapiro, Amazon announce $20B AI investment in Pennsylvania
Gov. Josh Shapiro said the investment is the largest private-sector investment in the history of the commonwealth.
News & Politics
Policy