Author Archive

Justin Sweitzer

Managing editor, City & State Pennsylvania

Justin Sweitzer is managing editor of City & State Pennsylvania.

Policy

Personality

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.

News & Politics

Policy

What we now know – and don’t know – about the Pennsylvania budget

Pennsylvania’s fiscal year started on July 1 – and the state still lacks a completed state budget.

U.S. Congress

Policy

This is not a test: PA public radio stations in emergency mode after rescission vote

A bill that would rescind more than $9 billion in already-approved federal funds now heads to the president’s desk.

News & Politics

Policy

Pittsburgh is only metro in U.S. where buying a home is cheaper than renting

A new rental report from Realtor.com shows that Pittsburgh stands out among metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Technology

Policy

‘This is a competition we have to win’: 4 observations from Dave McCormick’s AI and energy summit

Top leaders in tech and politics, including President Donald Trump, traveled to Pittsburgh for the inaugural event.

Donald Trump

Politics

One year after Butler: Remembering the shooting that shook the nation

On the anniversary of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, questions remain about security failures and what’s being done to prevent future attacks.

News & Politics

Politics

Congressman Dan Meuser opts against run for governor in 2026

The Republican congressman appeared to secure the support of President Donald Trump earlier this year.

Technology

Policy

Pennsylvania is a Top 3 state for government AI readiness

A new analysis from Code For America says the commonwealth’s proactive approach to AI “positions it as a leader in responsible AI adoption and innovation.”

U.S. Congress

Politics

By the numbers: The key figures contained in the One Big Beautiful Bill

While supporters and critics spar over the myriad impacts from the recently passed reconciliation bill – a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda – City & State focuses on the numbers behind the bill.

Capitol Beat

Politics

PA politicos are flocking to Bluesky – here’s who to follow

Democratic lawmakers and other left-leaning posters continue their social media migration from X to Bluesky.

General Assembly

Policy

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.

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Technology

Policy

As Amazon moves in, lawmakers weigh innovation vs. oversight in AI policy

The efforts to make the commonwealth into an artificial intelligence powerhouse have plenty of upside and risk to go around.

News & Politics

Politics

The bus stops here: A nationwide effort to oppose the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ rolls into Harrisburg

Democratic lawmakers and advocates fear the GOP-led legislation will hurt the most vulnerable.

Technology

Policy

‘All in on AI’: Shapiro, Amazon announce $20B AI investment in Pennsylvania

Gov. Josh Shapiro said the investment is the largest private-sector investment in the history of the commonwealth.

News & Politics

Politics

With an eye on judicial elections, conservative activist Scott Presler leads voter training in PA

Presler talked about the importance of registering more GOP voters and winning elections in 2025 and 2026.

News & Politics

Policy

PA senators approve bill banning TikTok from state devices

The bill would prohibit TikTok and other successor apps from being installed on electronic devices bought with state dollars.

Policy

Policy

New investigation shows the ivory trade is alive and well in PA

Following the investigation, state lawmakers are looking to ban the sale of ivory and similar animal products in the commonwealth.

News & Politics

Politics

Stocking the cabinet: Tracking the Trump nominees with Pennsylvania ties

The latest update to City & State's tracker chronicles the "rapid unscheduled disassembly" of Jared Isaacman’s NASA nomination.

Budget

Policy

5 things to know about Pennsylvania’s budget timeline

City & State’s primer on the timeline for passing a state budget in Harrisburg.