PA Budget Stalemate Deepens, Raising Alarm for Schools, Transit-
Three weeks past the deadline, Pennsylvania lawmakers remain deadlocked over the state budget, delaying critical funding decisions and raising alarms for...more
7/22/2025
/ Climate Change ,
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PA’s Lottery Allowed to Allocate More Money to Player Payouts-
Lawmakers passed legislation last week aimed at raising millions of more dollars for senior citizens by allowing the Pennsylvania Lottery to funnel more funds...more
7/8/2025
/ Federal Budget ,
Federal Funding ,
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Lottery ,
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Pennsylvania ,
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Unions
Gov. Shapiro Remains Optimistic About Ongoing Budget Negotiations-
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) says a budget deal is expected “very soon” despite Pennsylvania missing its July 1 deadline, as lawmakers continue closed-door...more
7/7/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Biden Administration ,
Eviction ,
Fracking ,
Marijuana ,
Medicaid ,
Pennsylvania ,
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Trump Administration
Legislators to Miss Budget Deadline Again Amid $5.5B Gap, Policy Disputes -For the fourth consecutive year, Pennsylvania lawmakers have missed the June 30 budget deadline as negotiations stall over how to close a projected...more
7/1/2025
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Corporate Taxes ,
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Budget Talks Intensify as Lawmakers Debate Tax Reform, Transit Funding, Marijuana Legalization -
As Pennsylvania’s June 30 budget deadline approaches, the future of several of Governor Josh Shapiro’s (D) proposals—including...more
6/24/2025
/ Economic Development ,
Federal Budget ,
Healthcare ,
Iran ,
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Pennsylvania ,
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Tax Reform ,
Trump Administration
Federal Funding Uncertainties Send PA Budget Talks into Limbo -
State lawmakers are struggling to agree on funding priorities in time to meet the budget deadline of June 30 as federal uncertainties in transit, education, and...more
6/3/2025
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Budget Cuts ,
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Clean Energy ,
Donald Trump ,
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Medicaid ,
Natural Gas ,
Pennsylvania ,
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Trump Administration
City Council Advances Bill to Hold Developers Accountable for Affordable Housing Promises -
The City Council Rules Committee advanced legislation Wednesday that would require developers to formalize their commitments to...more
Key PA Court Races Could Reshape Caregiving, Education, Parental Rights -Upcoming judicial races for Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth and Superior Courts could significantly impact caregiving policies, as recent rulings have...more
5/20/2025
/ Data Centers ,
Energy Policy ,
Healthcare ,
Immigration Reform ,
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Pennsylvania ,
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City Council Announces New Gun Violence Committee Members, Shift in Focus -
On Wednesday, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (District 2) announced 20 new members to the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention,...more
Gov. Shapiro Fights to Restore Funding for PA Farmers, Food Banks - Governor Josh Shapiro (D) is challenging the Trump administration’s cancellation of a program that funds Pennsylvania farmers supplying food banks, arguing...more
5/7/2025
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Agricultural Sector ,
Federal Budget ,
Federal Funding ,
Marijuana ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
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State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
State Legislatures ,
Trump Administration
Dems Propose “Transit For All PA” Funding Package-
Democratic state lawmakers have introduced the “Transit For All PA” Funding Package to provide dedicated funding for public transit systems in order to prevent service cuts...more
5/2/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Marijuana ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
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Public Transit ,
Reproductive Healthcare Issues ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
State Legislatures
Gov. Shapiro Reflects on Arson Attack in NYT Guest Essay-
In a guest essay for The New York Times, Governor Josh Shapiro (D) recounted the traumatic experience of an arson attack on his residence, emphasizing the importance...more
4/25/2025
/ Climate Change ,
Consumer Privacy Rights ,
Federal Funding ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare ,
Hospitals ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Health ,
State and Local Government
Gov. Shapiro Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Pope Francis-
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has ordered U.S. and Commonwealth flags to be flown at half-staff across Pennsylvania in honor of Pope Francis, who passed away...more
4/23/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Budget Cuts ,
Federal Budget ,
Healthcare ,
Marijuana ,
Pennsylvania ,
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State and Local Government ,
Trump Administration ,
USDA
Gov. Shapiro Addresses Arson Incident -
During a press conference following the opening of the Hershey Corporation’s new manufacturing plant, Governor Josh Shapiro made his first public comments since the arson at the...more
4/18/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Clean Energy ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Campaigns ,
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Proposed Legislation ,
Public Transportation ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
Tariffs ,
Trump Administration
Gov. Shapiro Pledges Support for PA Farmers Amid Tariff Uncertainty -Governor Josh Shapiro warned that new tariffs could harm Pennsylvania farmers and pledged to protect them, highlighting his administration’s investments in...more
PA Senate Passes Bill to Crack Down on Fentanyl Dealers -
The state Senate approved a bill imposing a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence on drug dealers whose fentanyl sales result in fatal overdoses. The bill, known as...more
Gov. Shapiro Announces $5M Investment to Address Nursing Shortage -During a visit to Temple University Hospital last week, Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $5 million investment to strengthen Pennsylvania’s nursing pipeline...more
3/11/2025
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Environmental Justice ,
Grants ,
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LGBTQ ,
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Pennsylvania ,
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Water Quality
Mayor Parker Appoints New Housing Initiative Leader -
Mayor Cherelle Parker appointed Angela Brooks, who currently serves as director of the Corporation for Supportive Housing in Illinois, to oversee the Housing...more
2/21/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Community Development ,
Education Reform ,
Housing Developers ,
Local Elections ,
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Public Schools ,
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State and Local Government ,
Urban Planning & Development
City Council to Consider Labor Law Enforcement, Lead Paint Disclosure Deadline Bills -
During Thursday’s meeting, City Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large) introduced legislation to enhance City enforcement of labor laws...more
2/7/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Disaster Aid ,
Disaster Relief Fund ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Economic Development ,
Housing Developers ,
Labor Reform ,
Local Elections ,
New Legislation ,
Political Candidates ,
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Small Business ,
State and Local Government ,
State Labor Laws ,
Urban Planning & Development
Mayor Parker Expresses Openness to Working with Trump Admin.
Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed a willingness to collaborate with President Donald Trump on shared priorities, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation to...more
1/24/2025
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Substance Abuse ,
Trump Administration ,
Universities ,
Urban Planning & Development
The Philadelphia 76ers have abandoned plans to build a Center City arena, which was pitched as a critical development for East Market Street. Instead, the team will partner with Comcast Spectacor to construct a new arena near...more
1/17/2025
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Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Educational Institutions ,
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Urban Planning & Development
New Legislative Session Begins-
Pennsylvania lawmakers began the 2025-26 legislative session this week, with Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) reelected as House Speaker, securing the position with bipartisan support...more
1/13/2025
/ Budget Cuts ,
City Councils ,
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Voting Rights
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced via social media that her administration has reached an agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers over their proposed Center City arena. City Councilmember Mark Squilla (District 1),...more
Mayor Parker Holds Town Hall on Proposed Center City Arena-
On Wednesday evening, Mayor Cherelle Parker hosted a community meeting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center regarding the proposed $1.55 billion Center City...more
Property Reassessments to Raise Homeowners’ Tax Bills $330-
Though Mayor Cherelle Parker and City Council left the real estate tax rate unchanged this year, Philadelphia homeowners can expect to see property taxes increase...more