Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, September 21, 2026

Pennsylvania

Governor Shapiro Urges Federal AI Regulations

At a Pittsburgh technology summit, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called for the federal government to enact strict safety regulations and independent oversight for the artificial intelligence industry. While distancing himself from pessimistic views regarding the technology’s threat to humanity, Governor Shapiro criticized President Donald Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-4) for their inaction on establishing national guidelines amid rapid industry advancements. The governor’s push for federal guardrails follows his recent state-level executive order restricting data center development. Governor Shapiro emphasized the importance of establishing an international consensus on AI safety standards and urged the president to pursue productive global agreements on the issue.

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General Assembly to Return, Address Skill Games, Felony Murder Rulings

The Pennsylvania General Assembly reconvenes next week to address two state Supreme Court rulings: skill games and felony murder. Lawmakers will decide how to regulate tens of thousands of skill games before the Pennsylvania State Police begin seizing unregulated devices on October 14. The legislature must also establish new sentencing guidelines for felony murder after the court struck down mandatory life sentences and lawmakers missed an initial court-imposed July 24 deadline.

Disability Advocates Sue State Over Medicaid Rules

Four Pennsylvanians with intellectual and developmental disabilities have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Shapiro administration, arguing that the Department of Human Services is bypassing the regulatory process by using contracts and consent forms to enforce Medicaid rules previously struck down by the Commonwealth Court. The disputed rules impose limits on the weekly hours that relatives can be paid to provide care and restrict funding for out-of-state travel, requiring waiver services to generally occur within Pennsylvania or a neighboring state. 

Philadelphia

City Council’s Fall Return

Philadelphia City Council’s first fall legislative session was briefly disrupted by an evacuation after K-9 units detected a suspicious bag in the caucus chambers. Police detained a government employee but issued an all-clear after examining the bag and finding no threat. Despite the delay, lawmakers advanced major policy discussions throughout the day. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and the mayor of Chester rallied to demand the immediate termination of Philadelphia’s waste disposal contract with the Reworld incinerator, arguing the city must stop burning trash rather than waiting for long-term zero-waste plans to take effect. Local advocates also demanded a multiyear moratorium on artificial intelligence data center construction, criticizing Mayor Cherelle Parker’s new task force as insufficient for immediate community protection. 

$2B Investment for Philadelphia Airports

Philadelphia’s Department of Aviation announced a $2 billion modernization initiative, known as Transform PHL, to upgrade both the Philadelphia International Airport and the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Funded through airline revenues, facility charges, and government dollars, the program encompasses over 100 projects designed to improve terminal spaces, security checkpoints, baggage systems, and airfield infrastructure. Travelers will see specific amenity upgrades including new restrooms, seating with charging capabilities, accessibility enhancements, modernized SEPTA platforms, and an automated parking garage guidance system.

Federal

President Trump Endorses Treasurer Garrity for PA Governor

President Donald Trump released a video endorsing Republican Stacy Garrity in her campaign for Pennsylvania governor while criticizing Governor Josh Shapiro’s leadership abilities. President Trump praised Treasurer Garrity’s military, business, and political background in a message that coincided with a broader wave of endorsements for Republican candidates nationwide. The public backing comes as Treasurer Garrity attempts to overcome a significant fundraising and polling deficit against Governor Shapiro, who recently outspent her by a massive margin in weekly campaign advertising. As the candidates prepare for a televised October debate in Harrisburg, Governor Shapiro’s campaign responded to the announcement by highlighting Treasurer Garrity’s close alignment with the president’s political platform.

Federal SNAP Overhaul Shifts Costs to States

The Trump administration is implementing a two-phase overhaul of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that will shift significant financial obligations to state governments. Beginning October 1, states must cover 75% of the program’s administrative costs, up from the historical 50% split. By October 2027, states will also be required to fund a portion of actual SNAP benefits based on their respective payment error rates, a change that could cost Pennsylvania up to $400 million annually. The White House stated the new cost-sharing measures are designed to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse while ensuring the program’s long-term sustainability. Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration warned that Pennsylvania’s budget cannot absorb the massive funding cuts, and anti-hunger advocates cautioned that the mounting financial burden could force states to tighten eligibility rules, shrink benefits, or divert funds from other essential public services. Newly expanded work and documentation requirements under the act have already resulted in millions of individuals losing their benefits nationwide.

PA Requests Conditional CDC Aid for Measles

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has initiated a request for emergency epidemiological assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to combat a rapidly spreading measles outbreak, but is conditioning the request on the federal agency publicly recognizing four local measles-related deaths. The standoff highlights an ongoing dispute between Governor Josh Shapiro and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has questioned the direct cause of the fatalities and accused state officials of politicizing the crisis. While Pennsylvania’s health secretary argued that the CDC’s refusal to acknowledge the deaths undermines the state’s response and threatened to rescind the aid request, a federal spokesperson responded that the agency will not yield to political leverage and is currently developing a standardized national definition for classifying measles fatalities.

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