Author Archive
Justin Sweitzer
Managing editor, 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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Harrison Cann and Justin Sweitzer
Policy
Updated
Politics
City & State’s 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget tracker
Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget impasse has surpassed 100 days.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.”
- By Justin Sweitzer
MagazineShow All
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
U.S. Congress
Politics
What they’re saying: PA congressional delegation reacts to federal government shutdown
Republicans and Democrats are trading blame over who caused the closure.
- By Justin Sweitzer