Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, June 9, 2025

Pennsylvania

Gov. Shapiro Launches “Deliberative Polling” to Foster Bipartisan Dialogue

Governor Josh Shapiro (D) launched a three-day deliberative polling event in Philadelphia aimed at encouraging informed, cross-partisan discussions among Pennsylvanians on key policy issues. The event also featured a Q&A with House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D). The initiative, part of the national “America in One Room” project, seeks to explore whether structured dialogue can help bridge political divides and inform policymaking.

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PA Senate Revives School Voucher Debate

While the state House passed a bill to cap cyber charter school tuition and tighten financial oversight  last week, the Senate advanced a school voucher proposal to fund private education for students in underperforming districts, reigniting a key education funding debate that delayed the state budget past the June 30 deadline last year. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

PA House Advances Bipartisan Bills on Health, Community, Economic Reform

The Pennsylvania House passed a range of bipartisan bills last week, including measures to expand contraceptive access, support reentry medical care, join interstate licensure compacts, fund neurodegenerative disease research, assist older adults, reform commercial driver’s license reinstatement, and ban speculative ticket sales. Center Square Pennsylvania has more.

RGGI Bills Delayed Pending Court Ruling on Climate Program

Bipartisan energy legislation in Pennsylvania is on hold as Senate Republicans await a court decision on the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). While some lawmakers remain hopeful for progress during budget talks, Senate leadership has signaled no movement until the legal uncertainty is resolved. Spotlight PA has more.

PA Water Utilities Commit to PFAS Standards Despite Proposed Federal Rollbacks

Aqua Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania American Water say they will continue efforts to meet federal PFAS limits by 2029, even as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers extending compliance deadlines and easing some chemical restrictions. WHYY has more.

Pharmacists Request Stronger Oversight of PBMs Amid Ongoing Closures

Pharmacists across Pennsylvania are urging lawmakers to strengthen regulations on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), citing continued closures of community pharmacies despite recent reform efforts. Advocates argue that current reimbursement practices are unsustainable and are seeking legislative changes to support pharmacy operations and patient access. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

Philadelphia

City Council Advances $6.8B Budget with Housing Bonds, Tax Cuts

The Philadelphia City Council gave preliminary approval to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s (D) $6.8 billion budget, which includes $800 million in housing bonds, phased tax cuts, and major investments in public safety and SEPTA, with final passage expected before the July 1 fiscal deadline. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

City’s Nighttime Economy Tops $26B, Supporting More Than 94,000 Jobs

A new report has found that Philadelphia’s nighttime economy—spanning essential services, entertainment, and late-shift industries—generates $26 billion annually and accounts for 13% of City jobs, with officials aiming to leverage the data for future growth and policy decisions. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Pittsburgh 

City Council Considers Legislative Priorities as Mayoral Transition Approaches

With Mayor Ed Gainey (D) entering a transition period following his primary loss, the Pittsburgh City Council members are evaluating which initiatives to advance in the coming months while also preparing to coordinate with the incoming administration on future policy directions. WESA has more.

Pittsburgh GOP Withholds Support for Mayoral Nominee

Republican leaders in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have declined to support mayoral nominee Tony Moreno, citing concerns over party unity and campaign conduct, while Moreno criticizes the decision as politically motivated and vows to continue his campaign independently. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

City Sees Sharp Rise in Multifamily Housing Permits

Multifamily housing permits in Pittsburgh rose 184% from pandemic-era levels, signaling a potential shift in the city’s long-stagnant development pace. Despite the increase, permit rates remain below national and peer city averages, and rents continue to climb. Axios Pittsburgh has more.

Federal

Dems Spotlight Medicaid Cuts in GOP’s “Big Beautiful Bill”

Democrats are elevating Medicaid as a key campaign issue in Pennsylvania, warning that the GOP-backed “Big Beautiful Bill” could reduce coverage for millions, including many in swing districts. As Medicaid enrollment has grown in the state, both parties are adjusting their messaging to appeal to working-class voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. Politico has more.

SCOTUS Upholds Provisional Ballot Use in PA

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a Republican challenge, allowing a Pennsylvania ruling to stand that permits voters to cast provisional ballots if their mail-in ballots are rejected for technical reasons. The Associated Press has more.

Former Federal Prosecutor Enters PA-07 Congressional Race

Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor who resigned over political interference in the Justice Department, has launched a Democratic campaign for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Republican U.S. Representative Ryan Mackenzie. He is the third Democrat to enter the race, joining a competitive field in one of the nation’s most closely watched battlegrounds. LehighValleyNews.com has more.

Details Remain Unclear as U.S. Steel–Nippon Deal Deadline Nears

With the June 18 deadline rapidly approaching, key terms of the U.S. Steel–Nippon Steel deal remain undisclosed, prompting concern from the United Steelworkers union and uncertainty about the agreement’s oversight and impact. WESA has more.

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