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 ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Energy Projects ,
Federal Budget ,
Federal Funding ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marijuana ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
Public Broadcasting ,
Public Housing Authorities ,
Public Policy ,
Public Schools ,
Public Transit ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
State Legislatures ,
Unemployment
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 ,
Hospitals ,
Lottery ,
Mass Shootings ,
Medicaid ,
Opioid ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Proposed Legislation ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
Unions
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 ,
Marijuana ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Public Transit ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
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
/ Biden Administration ,
Budget Cuts ,
Charter Schools ,
Clean Energy ,
Donald Trump ,
Federal Funding ,
Healthcare ,
Medicaid ,
Natural Gas ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
Sanctuary Cities ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
Trump Administration
PA’s 2025 Primary Elections Run Smoothly-
Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt called the 2025 primary elections “relatively calm and successful,” with only minor issues reported statewide. Despite the...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 ,
Judicial Appointments ,
Mayors ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Campaigns ,
Political Candidates ,
State and Local Government ,
State Elections
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, State Leaders Condemn Weekend Arson Attack -
Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated after a suspected arson attack on their residence early Sunday morning, prompting state and local leaders...more
Gov. Shapiro Fights USDA Funding Cuts for PA Farmers, Food Banks -Governor Josh Shapiro is challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to cancel $13 million in funding for Pennsylvania farmers who supply...more
Gov. Shapiro Signs Executive Order to Hire Fired Federal Workers -
Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order giving hiring preference to federal employees laid off by the Trump administration, aiming to fill 5,600...more
3/7/2025
/ Cybersecurity ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Employees ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Medicaid ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Campaigns ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
Trump Administration
Gov. Shapiro Criticizes President Trump, VP Vance Over Zelenskyy Dispute -Governor Josh Shapiro condemned President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their treatment of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, asserting it...more
Parties Rush to Nominate Candidates for HD-35 Special Election-
Democrats and Republicans are quickly selecting nominees for the special election on March 25 to resolve the even split in the Pennsylvania House. Democrats...more
1/28/2025
/ Affordable Housing ,
Electric Vehicles ,
Electricity ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Sector ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Employees ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Parties ,
Public Health ,
Public Utility ,
Real Estate Development ,
State and Local Government ,
State Elections ,
Trump Administration ,
Unemployment
Special Election Set for SD-35 Following Passing of Rep. Gergely State Rep. Matt Gergely -
(D-Allegheny) passed away last weekend, leaving the state House once again tied 101-101. A special election will be held March 25 to...more
1/24/2025
/ Ballot Measures ,
Energy Policy ,
Immigration ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Immigration Reform ,
Infrastructure ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marijuana ,
Minimum Wage ,
Pennsylvania ,
Public Safety ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
Trump Administration ,
Voting Rights
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 ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Foreign Investment ,
Health Insurance ,
Healthcare ,
Legislative Agendas ,
New Legislation ,
Pennsylvania ,
Political Candidates ,
Public Health ,
Regulatory Reform ,
State and Local Government ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
State Legislatures ,
Transportation Industry ,
Voting Rights
Mayor Cherelle Parker is reportedly taking a cautious approach to preparations for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, focusing on maintaining safety, cleanliness, and prosperity while addressing uncertainties about...more
City Council Advances Arena Legislation -
During Thursday’s meeting, City Council voted 11-5 to advance two largely procedural resolutions key to the development and construction of the Sixers’ proposed Center City arena....more
Last week, Mayor Cherelle Parker joined the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) to launch the new City College for Municipal Employment, which will train students specifically for local government jobs. The program aims...more
LOS ANGELES — L.A. Metro Testing AI Weapons Detection System-
L.A. Metro is considering implementing a weapons detections system being tested in Chicago that uses existing security cameras to scan the transit passengers...more
10/10/2024
/ Anti-Competitive ,
Commercial Property Owners ,
Food Safety ,
Landlords ,
Local Elections ,
Mayors ,
Property Tax ,
Public Health ,
Public Transit ,
Real Estate Development ,
State Elections ,
Tax Increment Financing ,
Urban Planning & Development
CITY HALL -
Mayor Parker Shares Details on Sixers Arena Agreement -
On Wednesday, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced the terms of the City’s agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers for the proposed $1.55 billion Center City...more
CHICAGO — CTA Launches AI Surveillance to Stop Gun Violence at Transit Stations-
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) recently rolled out an artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance tool to detect guns at stations, a move...more
9/12/2024
/ Affordable Housing ,
Bribery ,
Charging Stations ,
City of Chicago ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Electric Vehicles ,
Government Officials ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Housing Developers ,
Mayors ,
Medical Debt ,
Public Safety ,
Public Transit ,
Real Estate Development ,
Small Business ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
Strike ,
Tax Assessment ,
Teachers
City Controller Christy Brady is criticizing Philadelphia's new “streetery” licensing system for its complexity and high costs, which could deter restaurants from applying and cause financial losses for both the City and...more
BALTIMORE — Gig Work on the Rise in Baltimore Area-
Gig work is on the rise in the Baltimore area, becoming a predominant lifestyle choice for many individuals. The trend underscores a significant shift in employment...more
7/3/2024
/ Cell Phones ,
Charging Stations ,
Employee Rights ,
Eviction ,
Gig Economy ,
Healthcare ,
Homeless Issues ,
Migrants ,
Public Health ,
Public Safety ,
Public Schools ,
Real Estate Development ,
State Budgets ,
State Elections ,
Transportation Industry
FY25 Budget Will Not Include Wage, Business Tax Cuts City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At Large) confirmed Thursday that Philadelphia’s FY25 budget will not include cuts to wage or business tax rates. This decision comes...more
The City is reportedly working with service providers to open a triage center in Fairmount for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders, with the goal of providing short-term care and connecting...more
In our third State AG Pulse episode in season 4, we spotlight the pivotal Pennsylvania race with the benefit of insights from Cozen Public Strategies’ Jim Davis in Harrisburg and Joe Hill in Philadelphia. Meghan Stoppel and...more