Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, July 7, 2025

Pennsylvania

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 into rent rebates and lowering prescription drug costs. The bill, supported by Governor Josh Shapiro (D), will increase the number of games with high ticket prizes. WESA has more.

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PA Lawmakers Report “Intimidation” Amid Skill Games Regulation Efforts

As Pennsylvania lawmakers move closer to potentially regulating and taxing skill games, some Republican senators have reported being targeted by an aggressive intimidation campaign linked to industry supporters, deepening tensions over the machines’ legal status and financial impact. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Some PA Public Schools Relying on Cyber Charter Tuition Cap

Many Pennsylvania school districts—some of which have already approved their annual budgets—are relying on a proposed cap on cyber charter tuition and additional adequacy funding to avoid multimillion-dollar shortfalls, though the legislation remains uncertain amid stalled state budget talks. Penn Capital-Star has more. 

Potential PA GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Attempt to Make Early Inroads

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, U.S. Representative Dan Meuser (PA-09), and State Senator Doug Mastriano (Adams/Franklin) are among the Republicans considering entering the 2026 gubernatorial race against incumbent Gov. Shapiro. Early predictors have placed Treasurer Garrity on top, as she remains highly popular among Pennsylvania Republicans and has closely aligned with President Donald Trump’s MAGA Movement. WESA has more.

More than 75% of PA Voters Back Open Primary Voting

Despite more than 3 out of 4 Pennsylvania voters supporting open primaries, the Commonwealth retains some of the nation’s most restrictive primary voting laws. Measures introduced by lawmakers to allow independents to vote in Pennsylvania’s primary elections have failed to advance thus far. However, two bills in the PA state legislature could change that. Vote Beat Pennsylvania has more.

Nitazenes on the Rise in PA

The increased use of nitazenes—a powerful synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than fentanyl—throughout Pennsylvania has spurred efforts to classify them as a Schedule I controlled substance, which would essentially give prosecutors a green light to pursue dealers. WESA has more.

Philadelphia

DC 33 Strike Continues; AFSCME 47 Considers Strike Authorization Vote

As Philadelphia residents returned from the July 4th holiday weekend to uncollected trash and limited City services, the municipal workers’ strike led by AFSCME District Council 33 is entering its second week. With contract negotiations still unresolved, AFSCME District Council 47 is preparing to hold a strike authorization vote, potentially expanding the labor action. Philadelphia Democratic Party Chair Bob Brady has called for a resolution, while City officials and union leaders remain at odds over wage increases and working conditions.

Two Mass Shootings Shock South Philadelphia

Police are investigating two mass shootings that occurred over the weekend, one of which left eight people wounded in South Philadelphia and another which killed three and injured 10 in Grays Ferry early Monday morning. WHYY has more.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Unemployment Low Despite Labor Force Falling Behind

The Pittsburgh region saw a 3.9% unemployment rate in May 2025, up from the prior year’s 3.6%, but still below the nation’s 4.2%. But despite the favorable unemployment rate, the eight counties in the region struggle to grow their labor force, having lost 11,400 workers between May 2024 and May 2025. WESA has more.

UPMC at Risk of Losing Federal Funding Over Providing Gender-Affirming Care

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is purportedly under review from the Trump administration, as the President seeks to cut federal aid to hospitals who provide gender-affirming care services to minors. UPMC received a letter from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz demanding disclosure of the hospital’s financial data pertaining to hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and gender-confirmation surgeries. WESA has more.

Federal

Mixed Reactions Across PA as President Trump Signs Federal Budget Package

President Trump’s July 4th signing of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has drawn sharply contrasting reactions from Pennsylvania leaders. While Gov. Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis (D) warned that the bill will strip Medicaid from 300,000 residents and SNAP benefits from another 150,000, Republican lawmakers like U.S. Representative Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07) and U.S. Senator Dave McCormick praised the legislation as a win for taxpayers and economic growth; meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers including Representative Summer Lee (D-PA-12) and state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) echoed concerns that the bill will disproportionately harm working-class families across the state. U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) voted against President Trump’s domestic agenda after voting it through committee, citing the legislation’s detrimental impacts on SNAP, health care coverage, and potential green energy jobs. 

Dauphin County Commissioner Considering PA-10 Congressional Run

Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, a former pastor and CrossFit trainer, is considering a run for the 10th Congressional District, a seat currently held by U.S. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA). PennLive has more.

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