Policy
Updated
Politics
City & State’s 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget tracker
Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget impasse is set to enter its third month.
Transportation
Policy
SEPTA’s short-term funding fix: How we got here and what’s next
The Shapiro administration and PennDOT are moving forward with the transit agency’s request to use up to $394 million in capital assistance funds for daily operations
Transportation
Politics
Anger at state Senate Republicans dominates a Philadelphia transit town hall
Lawmakers and transit advocates lambasted GOP intransigency, while Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced city funding to restore some routes
News & Politics
Policy
For more PA cities, hard fiscal choices are leading to home rule
The need for revenue is driving more Pennsylvania local governments to consider home rule charters.
Philadelphia
Politics
Students, commuters, businesses bear brunt of budget-driven SEPTA service cuts
The transit agency, facing a budget shortfall, began implementing service reductions just before the first day of the school year
Education
Politics
Study: PA schools plagued by widespread lead, mold, radon and other environmental hazards
A report on the environmental health of commonwealth schools found threats and harmful substances exist across the board
Transportation
Politics
‘It will be a disaster’: Labor leaders, teachers sound the alarm as SEPTA cuts loom
Massive service reductions and fare increases would impact students, workers and residents around the region
Transportation
Politics
Transit advocates’ three-word message for state Senate: ‘Do your job’
SEPTA is set to have drastic service cuts and fare increases should the state budget not include transit funding soon
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.
Transportation
Politics
Not fare: SEPTA Regional Rail riders face hard choices if route reductions implemented
Buses, walks and rideshare services could cost riders more time and money if funding issues cause route reductions.
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.
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.
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
U.S. Congress
Politics
By the numbers: The key figures contained in the One Big Beautiful Bill
While supporters and critics spar over the myriad impacts from the recently passed reconciliation bill – a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda – City & State focuses on the numbers behind the bill.
Interviews & Profiles
Personality
Ask the Experts: Philly’s World Cup preparations
World Cup leaders and stakeholders from past world-class events share their lessons learned going into 2026
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