Capitol Beat

Personality

A Q&A with Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa

The Democratic leader in the Senate discusses lessons learned from last year and 2026 priorities

News & Politics

Politics

What to know about Pennsylvania’s upcoming special elections

Four seats in the state House of Representatives will be up for grabs in February and March.

Capitol Beat

Policy

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.

News & Politics

Personality

Written in the stars: What astrology can tell us about 2026 races

In a Q&A with City & State, renowned astrologer Susan Miller examines the birth charts of Pennsylvania politicians running in 2026.

Energy

Policy

Year-end Q&A with Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward

Ward discussed significant policy wins, legislation left on the table and what Harrisburg will be focused on heading into 2026.

Capitol Beat

Politics

A history of high-profile Harrisburg fires

Pennsylvania’s Capital City has experienced more than a few high-profile fires over the last 150-plus years.

Analysis

Politics

City & State's 5 for 2025: Report names PA’s most and least effective lawmakers – and how partisan divide impacts Harrisburg

As the year comes to an end, we look back at some staff and reader favorites from our reporting over the past 12 months.

Analysis

Policy

City & State's 5 for 2025: Winging it: How government agencies are fighting bird flu

As the year comes to an end, we look back at some staff and reader favorites from our reporting over the past 12 months.

News & Politics

Politics

City & State’s 2025 Year In Review

A look back at the year that was – and wasn’t – in politics.

Transportation

Politics

SEPTA’s tumultuous 2025: Part II

Philadelphia’s public transit system had its share of twists and turns this calendar year.

Transportation

Politics

SEPTA’s tumultuous 2025: Part I

Philadelphia’s public transit system had its share of twists and turns this calendar year

Capitol Beat

Politics

Lawmakers subpoena information about security improvements at Shapiro’s home

Democrats claimed the GOP-led subpoenas are part of a fishing expedition against the governor.

Capitol Beat

Politics

GOP demands probe into how suspected terrorist got a Pennsylvania commercial license

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said a recently arrested Uzbek national had a commercial driver’s license from Pennsylvania.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: New clarity on energy policy will supercharge Pennsylvania’s economy

Ending Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative sends a clear signal that the commonwealth is done with uncertainty and ready for prosperity.

Capitol Beat

Policy

5 things to know about Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 state budget

Big changes are coming for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, public education funding, tax credits and more.

Policy

Politics

City & State’s 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget tracker

After a budget impasse that stretched more than 130 days, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a $50B budget into law on Nov. 12, 2025.

Capitol Beat

Politics

Party of 7: A guide to the ideological balance of the PA Supreme Court

Five justices on the court were elected as Democrats, while two were elected as Republicans.

Capitol Beat

Politics

Pennsylvania voters retain 3 state Supreme Court justices

The high-stakes judicial retention elections attracted national attention and millions of dollars in spending.

Capitol Beat

Politics

PA Secretary of State Al Schmidt talks voting issues in Chester, Dauphin counties

Schmidt said pollbook issues in Chester County were caused by a pollbook extraction error.

Capitol Beat

Politics

An injudicious process: What would have happened if PA Supreme Court justices didn't get retained

Gov. Josh Shapiro could appoint temporary replacements, with the next judicial elections slated for 2027.