Policy

Citing out-of-control expenses and expenditures, school districts and state Democrats push for new cyber charter funding formula

Both sides of the statewide debate agree an overhaul of the funding system is in order – but disagree on the way forward.

  • By Hilary Danailova

Policy

Updated

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

Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget impasse has surpassed 100 days.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Politics

Feeling the heat: How temperature-specific legislation could keep workers and businesses cool

Two members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are proposing legislation that would protect employees and business owners from tragedy during periods of extreme heat.

  • By Elizabeth Fiedler and Jim Haddock

News & Politics

What America’s ongoing redistricting war could mean for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is unlikely to redraw congressional maps mid-decade, but that doesn’t negate the need for redistricting reforms, advocates say.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Capitol Beat

Gun control bills receive mixed response in tight PA House votes

Lawmakers passed a bill to expand background checks, but two other gun-related bills failed to advance.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Policy

PA lawmakers advance gun control bills following York police shooting

House Democrats advanced four gun control bills out of the state House Judiciary Committee on Monday despite opposition from Republicans.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Politics

Don’t lock renters out of affordable housing policy

While new initiatives at the state and local levels offer relief for owners and landlords, renters in Pennsylvania could be left out in the cold without proper safeguards.

  • By Eden Gibson

Policy

‘Ring It On’ initiative gives Philly neighborhoods a stake in the semiquincentennial

Elected officials, 2026 stakeholders and Gritty were on hand on Wednesday to introduce a citywide program designed to involve all Philadelphia neighborhoods in the semiquincentennial.

  • By Greg Salisbury

Politics

Opinion: PA’s congressional delegation must stand their ground and fund NIH

The life-and-death reasons why U.S. Reps. Madeleine Dean and Guy Reschenthaler, our state’s members on the all-important U.S House Appropriations Committee, must fight to preserve the National Institutes of Health.

  • By Louis P. Kassa III, Chari A. Cohen and Ju-Tao Guo

Politics

Feeling the pressure: Change is needed to ensure safe water delivery in PA

As the state’s water utility infrastructure continues to age and become more inadequate to meet residents’ needs, a new approach to handling this essential utility could be the answer.

  • By Subodha Kumar

Policy

Enough games and showmanship – it’s time to get serious about the state budget

The Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives calls out state Senate Republicans for caring too much about scoring political points with budget posturing – and not enough about Pennsylvanians’ needs.

  • By State House Speaker Joanna McClinton

Policy

PA Senate advances $47.7B budget, transit spending plan

Amid an ongoing state budget impasse, state Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward called the proposal ‘the answer for the moment.’

  • By Harrison Cann and Justin Sweitzer

Policy

Amid budget impasse, school officials fear critical funding shortfalls

With state money frozen and deadlines looming for obligations like pension payments, districts will soon face tough fiscal choices.

  • By Hilary Danailova
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City & State PA A09292025

News & Politics

PA House passes public transit funding bill after Gov. Shapiro's latest call to action

The vote took place less than a day after the governor again pushed for more public transit funding in the state budget.

  • By Harrison Cann

Interviews & Profiles

A Q&A with U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson

The chair of the powerful House Agriculture Committee on why the One Big Beautiful Bill is great for Pennsylvania agriculture, his plans for immigration reform and what makes commonwealth farming special.

  • By Hilary Danailova

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.

  • By Hilary Danailova and Harrison Cann

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.

  • By Hilary Danailova

Interviews & Profiles

A Q&A with State Sen. Joe Picozzi

The chamber’s youngest member discusses the state’s affordable housing challenges, potential solutions and bipartisanship on the Urban Affairs & Housing Committee

  • By Hilary Danailova

Policy

A Q&A with state Rep. Lindsay Powell

Powell talked with City & State about several bills she has sponsored to increase access to housing and improve quality of life in Pennsylvania communities.

  • By Justin Sweitzer

Economic Development

A Q&A with Robin Wiessmann

The head of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency talks lending, educating prospective homeowners and where to find the next great ideas in affordable housing.

  • By Greg Salisbury

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.

  • By Justin Sweitzer