Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, July 3, 2025

Pennsylvania

Gov. Shapiro Remains Optimistic About Ongoing Budget Negotiations

Governor Josh Shapiro (D) says a budget deal is expected “very soon” despite Pennsylvania missing its July 1 deadline, as lawmakers continue closed-door talks over rising Medicaid costs and regulation of skill games. While Gov. Shapiro’s $51.5 billion proposal relies on reserve funds, Senate Republicans remain cautious, citing long-term fiscal concerns and calling for a plan that avoids future tax hikes. In light of several consecutive years of missed budget deadlines, state Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) is proposing a shift back to a two-year budget cycle to reduce gridlock, improve long-term planning, and enhance accountability in government spending.

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Gov. Shapiro Signs 20 Bipartisan Bills

This week, Gov. Shapiro signed 20 new bipartisan laws addressing a wide range of issues including updates to disability terminology, expanded veterans’ benefits, child custody reforms, environmental protections, and public health and safety improvements. The legislation also includes measures to modernize government operations and support emergency services as the state continues working toward a final budget agreement. WHTM has more.

PA Lawmakers Urge President Trump to Restore LFPA Funding

The Trump Administration announced that it would be ending the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA), a Biden-era farm and food bank program. Gov. Shapiro and the two Democrats and two Republicans who lead the General Assembly’s agricultural committees have offered bipartisan condemnation of the move, urging President Donald Trump to restore funding. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

PA House Greenlights Legislation Banning PFAS in Firefighting Foam

Galvanizing unanimous support in the state House, a bill banning the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—widely known as “forever chemicals”—in firefighting foam will now move onto the Senate. The measure aims to reduce dangerous pollutants in drinking water and the Commonwealth’s ecosystems. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

PA House Passes Bill Providing Protection to Municipal Workers

As politically motivated violence against public service workers rises across the country, the state House passed a bill aimed at safeguarding municipal workers. The bill, which now moves to the Senate, will boost penalties for offenders. PennLive has more.

PA Senate Weighs Eviction Record Sealing Bill

A bill that would automatically seal certain eviction records passed the state House by a slim margin in late June and now awaits consideration in the Senate, where its future remains uncertain amid ongoing budget talks. Supporters say it would help renters overcome housing barriers, while some landlords express concern that reduced access to eviction history could complicate tenant screening and lead to more cautious leasing practices. WHYY has more.

Bipartisan Bill Could Establish a Marijuana Regulatory Board

State senators are considering a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and backed by sixteen colleagues to establish a marijuana regulatory board in Pennsylvania in preparation for potential statewide adult-use legalization. Marijuana Moment has more.

Advocates Say Key Fracking Reforms Still Lacking in PA

Despite a 2020 grand jury report recommending stronger fracking regulations, environmental advocates say most of the proposed reforms remain unimplemented, while the Shapiro administration points to partial progress and legislative hurdles as key challenges. WHYY has more.

Philadelphia

City Services on Pause as Parker Admin Continues DC33 Contract Negotiations

Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) and District Council 33 have resumed talks to reach a deal to resume city services. In addition to closing some libraries and swimming pools and halting regular trash collection, the strike postponed a sheriff sale of foreclosed properties and continues to threaten more municipal headaches.

Philly Developer Hopes to Fill Hoa Binh Plaza

Ori Feibush has announced a series of proposals aimed at developing 275 apartments, 10 for-sale townhomes, and nearly 40,000 commercial square footage at 1601 Washington Avenue. With 10% of the apartments reserved for those making 50% of the area median income, the plan represents another affordable housing option for Philadelphia families. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Kensington Community Joined by Outdoor Wifi Promises

Philly Community Wireless seeks to provide North Philadelphia with free WiFi by installing outdoor hotspots. The organization hopes to “build a large-scale network” that further conjoins the community. The new installations will allow neighborhood residents to connect to WiFi while outside on a walk without requiring them to move indoors. BillyPenn has more.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Public School Reconfiguration Plans Spark Hearings

Hearings addressing the anticipated closure of nine public school buildings are slated to begin July 21. The School Board claims that closing the buildings was a necessary step toward reorganizing the district. WESA has more.

Anti-Violence Fund Moves Forward

The Pittsburgh City Council greenlit the proposal to reshape the city’s Stop the Violence Trust Fund. The trust fund was created in 2020 to combat crime through a public health lens by funneling funds to various city departments and community groups tasked with reducing citywide violence. WESA has more.

Federal

House Sends “One Big Beautiful Bill” to President Trump’s Desk

The House passed a $3.4 trillion bill combining tax cuts, immigration enforcement, and defense spending, marking a major legislative win for President Trump’s second term. While Republicans praise the bill as a boost for economic growth and national security, critics warn it could deepen the national debt and reduce support for low-income Americans. U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) was one of only two Republican lawmakers who crossed the aisle to vote against the bill.

Trump Admin Denies $230M from PA Schools

On the same day the money was set to be available, Pennsylvania education leaders were notified that the Trump Administration would withhold $230 million in congressionally approved funding for after-school programs. Instructor training courses and English classes for migrant students were also among the list of defunded academic programming. Penn Capital-Star has more.

State Sen. Street Announces Bid for PA-03

State Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) has officially put his name in the hat for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, seeking to fill the seat currently held by U.S. Representative Dwight Evans, who announced this week that he will not seek reelection. Politics PA has more.

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