Author Archive

Justin Sweitzer

Managing editor, City & State Pennsylvania

Justin Sweitzer is managing editor of City & State Pennsylvania.

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.

Capitol Beat

Politics

Retention roundup: Your last-minute guide to Pennsylvania’s 2025 judicial elections

City & State examines the state of play in Pennsylvanians’ judicial contests.

News & Politics

Politics

What to know as Pennsylvania braces for loss of SNAP benefits

Gov. Josh Shapiro took executive action Friday to try and lessen the impacts of the suspension of SNAP benefits.

Policy

Updated Politics

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

Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget impasse has surpassed 100 days.

Capitol Beat

Politics

…And justices for all: What's at stake in next week's judicial elections

Pennsylvania’s 2025 judicial elections will determine who will rule on some of the state’s most hot-button issues.

Capitol Beat

Policy

Boxing legend Mike Tyson fights for cannabis legalization in Pennsylvania

The former heavyweight champion, now a cannabis entrepreneur, met with state officials to advocate for legal, recreational cannabis in the commonwealth.

Capitol Beat

Policy

PA senators introduce bipartisan proposal to regulate skill games

The duo says the bill will help address illegal gaming and nuisance businesses across the state.

News & Politics

Politics

DNC, PDP chairs: PA Supreme Court retention races have national implications

The head of the DNC said the races are “among the most important elections in the nation.”

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Capitol Beat

Policy

PA Senate passes permitting transparency bill

The bill, which would require state agencies to create public permit tracking systems, received bipartisan support in the state Senate.

News & Politics

Politics

‘The perfect storm’: Congressman Brendan Boyle warns of looming impacts of federal shutdown

SNAP payments for nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians could be at risk next month if the shutdown continues.

Capitol Beat

Politics

Shapiro: Arsonist’s guilty plea is a ‘just outcome’ after firebombing at governor’s residence

Penbrook man Cody Balmer pleaded guilty to charges of arson and attempted murder on Tuesday.

Capitol Beat

Policy

Bry Pardoe is Pennsylvania’s acting CIO following IT staff changes

The Office of Administration also confirmed that James Sipe is serving as the state’s acting executive deputy secretary for IT.

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

May it please the courts: A primer on PA’s judicial system

City & State’s body of evidence on the state’s multi-layered court system will help you come to a decision on this year’s judicial elections.

News & Politics

Politics

Study shows just 2% of Gen Z students in PA trust government and elected leaders

However, more than 50% of students said they would be motivated to take political action if they felt it would make a difference.

Capitol Beat

Politics

Quinnipiac Poll shows Shapiro with early lead over Garrity – and looks ahead to 2028

A plurality of voters believe both parties in the state Capitol share blame for the state’s budget impasse.

News & Politics

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.