Policy
Policy
City & State’s 2026-27 Pennsylvania state budget tracker
Legislative leaders passed a budget bill in April, though negotiations on a final product are ongoing.
Philadelphia
Updated
Philadelphia City Council passes ‘ICE OUT’ legislation out of committee
Council can get the legislative package across the finish line as early as April 23
cannabis
Poll: Pennsylvanians across party lines support a regulated cannabis marketplace
A survey conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research found that 69% of likely voters support regulation and taxation of adult-use cannabis
Politics
Nuclear energy jobs are back – and powering Central PA communities
The return of Three Mile Island Unit 1 to service is cause for celebration for Pennsylvanians on both sides of the political divide.
Policy
Artists, politicians join together in state Capitol in bid for increased funding
In speech and song, arts advocates from around the commonwealth made the case for the state budget to expand grant offerings during Harrisburg’s annual PA Arts Advocacy Day.
Politics
PA women continue to make political herstory
This year, Women’s History Month takes on even more meaning in the Keystone State, thanks to some landmark achievements by female lawmakers.
Policy
Harrisburg leaders celebrate two new grants for downtown revitalization efforts
The state Department of Community and Economic Development is awarding more than 400,000 in grants to two local organizations.
Healthcare
Prenatal Attraction: The race to bring OB-GYNs to rural PA before maternity care deserts expand farther
Legislators and health officials are mulling a range of potential short- and long-term solutions – including more federal funding, bolstering the health workforce pipeline, and immigration reforms that would expand recruitment of foreign physicians.
Politics
PA lawmakers must do more to protect residents from data centers
Ballooning energy bills, negative environmental impact and more fallout are on the horizon if legislators don’t take action now.
Politics
2026 offers the ideal opportunity for bipartisan civics legislation
The significance of America’s semiquincentennial should be all the catalyst needed to get lawmakers to strengthen education requirements for this key subject.
Politics
Pennsylvania’s abused children need more support – and legislation to protect them
The Epstein Files scandal has spotlighted child sexual abuse – but far from the headlines, the victims of abuse in Pennsylvania and those who help them are in need of much more funding than what the state provides.
Healthcare
The state’s ‘maternity deserts’ are reaching a crisis point as rural hospitals continue to close childbirth services
Health officials blame the closures on a national OB-GYN shortage, along with rural population decline, high liability costs, a drop in immigration and the particular challenges of recruiting rural obstetricians
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Gaming
Casinos are struggling – but skill games aren’t the reason
An op-ed by Villanova University professor Peter Zaleski makes the case that online gambling and the COVID-19 pandemic have had a greater impact on casino jobs than skill games.
Politics
New legislation can ensure a safe cannabis framework for Pennsylvania
An op-ed explains how a state Senate bill will protect consumers, support law-abiding businesses, restore public trust, and build a strong regulatory system to protect Pennsylvanians.
Politics
For the greater good, federal funding must be restored to permanent supportive housing efforts
Changes to federal homeless assistance funding are jeopardizing access to permanent housing for housing-insecure individuals and families in Pennsylvania and across the country.
Politics
Any changes to state gaming tax structure must factor in casino jobs
An op-ed by a former deputy secretary at the Department of Community and Economic Development details the importance of both stabilizing industry employment and taxing skill games.
Education
New documentary focuses on plight of early childhood educators in PA
“The Hands That Shape Tomorrow,” directed by Emmy-winner Kyra Knox, shows the positive impact of a guaranteed income initiative program on teachers – and the fallout when it ends.
Politics
Before rehabbing Philly school buildings, we must rework the Separations Act
Without updating the century-old legislation dictating how work is done, the much-needed construction projects will be unnecessarily hindered and expensive.
Politics
It’s elementary: Restrict use of mobile devices at school
Limiting students’ access to cell phones and similar tech is crucial to their development.
News & Politics
In Harrisburg, RFK Jr. kicked off his “Take Back Your Health” Tour
While the federal health czar touted new dietary guidelines and pared-back vaccine recommendations, state Democrats shot back with measures to bolster vaccine access
