Author Archive
Justin Sweitzer
Managing editor, City & State Pennsylvania
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
News & Politics
Politics
City & State’s 2025 Year In Review
A look back at the year that was – and wasn’t – in politics.
- By Justin Sweitzer
News & Politics
Updated
Politics
Stocking the cabinet: Tracking the Trump nominees with Pennsylvania ties
Several high-profile appointments could be coming from the commonwealth
- By Justin Sweitzer
Interviews & Profiles
Politics
‘Bring the temperature down’: A Q&A with U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio
The Pennsylvania congressman spoke with City & State about a video that caught the attention of the president, death threats and political violence in America.
- By Justin Sweitzer
Interviews & Profiles
Politics
Lessons from Lehigh: An interview with County Executive-elect Josh Siegel
Siegel spoke with City & State about what lessons Democrats can take away from the 2025 elections, the importance of narrative in politics, and his goals for Lehigh County.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
Technology
Policy
PA businesses are all in on AI
With $90 billion in investments on the horizon, the commonwealth is positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence.
- By Justin Sweitzer
News & Politics
Politics
PA political party chairs focusing on 2026
After November's election, City & State spoke with the leaders of the state Republican and Democratic parties to talk midterms, the 2026 gubernatorial race and the issues most important to voters.
- By Justin Sweitzer
Politics
Politics
PA officials among nationwide pushback against Trump claiming members of Congress engaged in ‘seditious behavior’
The president suggested in a social media post that the behavior of the lawmakers could be ‘punishable by DEATH!’
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
MagazineShow All
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.
- By Justin Sweitzer
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
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