President Biden calls on GOP to extend funding for affordable internet program

The Affordable Connectivity Program serves more than 763,000 Pennsylvanians

• By Harrison Cann
• April 2, 2024

PA’s structural deficit could shape budget battle for years to come

Pennsylvania’s budget cycle presents challenges both old and new as leaders grapple with a long-budget structural deficit.

• By Justin Sweitzer
• April 1, 2024

Gov. Shapiro touts $50M proposal for home repairs program in Philadelphia

Lawmakers said demand for the Whole-Home Repairs Program far outweighs current funding

• By Harrison Cann
• March 29, 2024

Cherelle Parker’s $6.29B ‘One Philly Budget’ prioritizes public safety, quality-of-life issues

The Philadelphia mayor offered the first glimpse of what her vision for the “safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation with economic opportunity for all” might look like

• By Harrison Cann
• March 14, 2024

Cherelle Parker’s $6.29 billion budget – by the numbers

The Philadelphia mayor is delivering her budget plan to City Council Thursday

• By Harrison Cann
• March 14, 2024

Updating story: Funding for Philadelphia LGBTQ+ center stripped out of congressional spending plan

The spending concession reportedly occurred following concerns arising over the usage of William Way’s rental space by third parties, which later led to online attacks from the far-right and anti-LGBTQ+ social media account Libs of TikTok.

• By Harrison Cann
• March 6, 2024

Mayor Parker has long promised to clean up Philadelphia – but how that happens remains unclear

Her early personnel and policy decisions have advocates questioning if the city will see more of the same

• By Harrison Cann
• February 26, 2024

A Q&A with state Sen. Gene Yaw, chair of the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee

• By Justin Sweitzer
• February 26, 2024

Reconsidering the reckoning over RGGI

As both sides dig in ever deeper over the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, fault lines and strategies become clearer, even as its future remains up in the air.

• By Harrison Cann
• February 26, 2024

‘The need is great’ for money to pay public defenders, Shapiro says after proposing $10M increase

Shapiro and state lawmakers said Monday they would negotiate to make more money available for indigent defense

• By SPECIAL TO CITY & STATE
• February 13, 2024

Five for Friday: What you missed from Shapiro’s budget proposal

The governor’s $48.3 billion spending plan calls for a wide range of new investments

• By Harrison Cann and Justin Sweitzer
• February 9, 2024

Opinion: Time for a full stop on marijuana arrests in Pennsylvania

As state lawmakers debate cannabis legalization, advocates say they should bring an end to cannabis-related arrests in the commonwealth.

• By Chris Goldstein and Jeff Riedy
• February 8, 2024

Philly Dems: SEPTA boost just one highlight for city in Shapiro budget proposal

The governor proposed a $283 million increase in transit funding statewide

• By SPECIAL TO CITY & STATE
• February 8, 2024

10 things to know about Josh Shapiro’s 2024 budget proposal

Shapiro’s budget calls for investments in education, legalizing cannabis and gun violence prevention funds.

• By Justin Sweitzer
• February 6, 2024

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2024 budget: By the Numbers

The governor delivered his second budget address to the General Assembly Tuesday, proposing a $48.3 billion spending plan.

• By Harrison Cann
• February 6, 2024

‘We have a lot of work to do”: A Q&A on education with state Sen. Lindsey Williams

Williams talks with City & State about the work of the Basic Education Funding Commission and how lawmakers should address all things education.

• By Justin Sweitzer
• February 5, 2024

Home Improvement, Season 2: Democrats highlight demand for Whole Home Repairs

Lawmakers call for greater investment in home repairs ahead of Gov. Shapiro’s budget address

• By Harrison Cann
• February 2, 2024

Opinion: Elected leaders must act now to save the SS United States

Facing eviction, the historic vessel known as "America's Flagship" is in need of a new home.

• By Susan Gibbs
• February 2, 2024

A step in the right direction: PA Capitol’s infamous escalators to be replaced

The Department of General Services announced a renovation project for the Capitol’s East Wing that is set to be completed by August 2025.

• By Justin Sweitzer
• January 10, 2024

Advocates who won education lawsuit call for $2B ‘down payment’ on fair funding

‘We are prepared to go back to court to uphold the rights of those communities,’ Deborah Gordon Klehr of the Education Law Center said

• By SPECIAL TO CITY & STATE
• January 5, 2024