Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, August 11, 2025

Pennsylvania

PA House Advances Transit Funding Amid Budget Stalemate

The Pennsylvania House advanced a transit funding proposal as agencies across the state face potential service reductions. Although the bill reflects both Democratic and Republican priorities, its future depends on broader budget negotiations with Senate leadership. With service cuts looming, Governor Josh Shapiro (D) emphasized the urgency of action, stating, “the time to act is now.” Meanwhile, the state budget remains six weeks overdue, with Democrats rejecting a short-term fix and Republicans signaling support for a stopgap plan as tensions rise over how to fund transit and other services. The Senate will convene Tuesday for a voting session.

Gun Violence, Violent Crime Decline Across PA

State officials report a 42% drop in gun violence and a 38% decrease in firearm deaths since 2023, crediting violence prevention programs and broader national trends for the continued decline in violent crime. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

Affordable Rentals Vanish as PA Sees Surge in High-End Units

Pennsylvania has lost nearly 225,000 rental units priced under $1,000 over the past decade, while the number of units costing $1,400 or more has more than doubled, making housing increasingly unaffordable for many residents. Axios Pennsylvania has more.

IFO Releases August Monthly, Quarterly Revenue Update

The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), the state agency responsible for providing revenue projections and impartial analysis for state legislators, has released its monthly revenue update for the month of August. View the report here.

Philadelphia

Dugan to Run as Republican in Philly DA Race

After losing the Democratic primary, former Judge Patrick Dugan will run as a Republican against incumbent Larry Krasner in the Philadelphia District Attorney race, citing public safety concerns and bipartisan support. His decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, who accuse him of betraying party commitments. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

Pittsburgh

Clairton Steel Plant Blast Leaves 1 Dead, 2 Missing, Dozens Injured

An explosion reported at the Clairton Coke Works near Pittsburgh killed one person, injured dozens, and left two missing, prompting an ongoing rescue operation and air quality monitoring. Public Source has more.

Federal

Trump Admin’s Voter Data Request Raises Legal Red Flags in PA

The U.S. Department of Justice has asked Pennsylvania for full voter rolls, including sensitive personal data, prompting concerns from legal experts who say the request may exceed federal authority and violate privacy laws. The state has not yet responded, and critics argue the department has failed to justify the need for such detailed information. WESA has more.

Trump Admin Solar Rollback May Raise PA Energy Bills as Demand Surges

The rollback of federal clean energy tax credits is expected to slow renewable development and raise electricity costs for Pennsylvania households, with one estimate projecting a $130 annual increase by 2030. Developers say the changes create short-term uncertainty, but long-term growth may continue due to rising energy demand from data centers and other sectors. Spotlight PA has more.

Tracking Gov. Shapiro’s 2025 Legal Challenges to Trump Admin Policies

Gov. Shapiro has joined or filed twelve lawsuits in 2025 challenging federal funding cuts and policy changes under President Donald Trump, targeting areas like public health, education, disaster relief, and civil rights. Several cases have seen partial victories, while others remain unresolved in federal courts. WITF has more.

Democrat Tracy Hunt Enters Race for PA-01

Attorney and professor Tracy Hunt has filed to run as a Democrat in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Republican U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick. WHTM has more.

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