Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, March 5, 2026

Pennsylvania

PA Budget Hearings Update

The Pennsylvania General Assembly continued its Appropriations Committee Budget Hearings to examine the Governor’s proposed budget in detail. The Senate Appropriations Committee heard from the Department of Transportation and questioned the department’s management of public transit and infrastructure projects, particularly for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). The House Appropriations Committee heard from the Office of the Attorney General, where Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday defended his decision to allow Governor Josh Shapiro to lead lawsuits against the Trump administration. Full hearing schedules are available through the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee.

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PA Governor’s Race

With the 2026 election cycle underway, incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro has a significant lead over Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, leading the state Treasurer 48% to 28% among registered voters. Campaign finance filings from 2025 also show that Governor Shapiro outraised Republican Stacy Garrity by more than 15-to-1, with Governor Shapiro raising $23 million compared to Treasurer Garrity’s $1.5 million. While Governor Shapiro maintains a significant fundraising lead fueled by high-dollar donors and out-of-state contributions, Treasurer Garrity is leveraging a grassroots strategy focused on small-dollar donations from Pennsylvania’s traditional Republican base

House Committee Advances Data Center Oversight Bills

The Pennsylvania House Energy Committee advanced two bills on Monday along party-lines aimed at regulating the state’s growing data center industry. HB2150 would require data centers to submit annual reports to the Department of Environmental Protection detailing their water and electricity usage, and HB2151 would direct the state to develop a model zoning ordinance to help municipalities regulate these facilities. While Democrats argued the measures provide necessary transparency and tools for local officials, Republicans expressed concerns that the regulations could stifle Pennsylvania’s competitiveness in the AI economy and lead to zoning litigation. 

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Shortlisted for 2028 DNC

Philadelphia has been named one of five finalists to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, competing against Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver. Led by David L. Cohen and Dan Hilferty, the bid cited Philadelphia’s successful history hosting the 2000 Republican National Convention and the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Proponents emphasize that hosting the convention in Philadelphia is a logical strategic move given Pennsylvania’s status as a premier swing state for the 2028 election. The Democratic National Committee is expected to conduct site visits this spring to evaluate the South Philadelphia Sports Complex and its modernized Xfinity Mobile Arena.

City Council Committee Advances “Safe Healthy Homes Act”

Philadelphia City Council’s housing committee advanced legislation on Wednesday to expand “good cause” eviction protections to all renters, regardless of lease length, and authorize a proactive rental inspection program. Currently, the city only protects month-to-month tenants from retaliatory non-renewals and relies on a complaint-based inspection system. While tenant advocates praised the move as a way to empower renters to report dangerous conditions without fear of eviction, landlord advocacy group HAPCO Philadelphia opposed the bills, arguing they would make it difficult to remove problematic tenants. The legislation is scheduled for a final Council vote on March 19.\

Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Committee Approves Bill to Ban ICE Cooperation

The Allegheny County Council’s public safety committee voted 4–3 on Monday to advance legislation that would prohibit county agencies and employees from cooperating with federal immigration agents. The bill seeks to formally bar the use of county resources, funding, or information to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless compelled by a federal judge. The bill, which County Executive Sara Innamorato has pledged to sign, could face a final vote from the full 15-member council as early as next week.

Police Increase Patrols Amid Hateful Radio Broadcasts

Pittsburgh officials have increased police patrols around religious institutions and schools following three days of threatening and hateful messages broadcast over public safety radio channels. Allegheny County officials confirmed that the system was not hacked and that the broadcasts originated from an unregistered radio. Local and federal agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission, are investigating the source of the messages, and public safety communications have been moved to a secure channel.

Federal

PA Senators Vote Against Iran War Powers Resolution

U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) voted against a resolution to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war in Iran, with Senator Fetterman being the only Democrat to help Republicans kill the motion. Senator Fetterman is one of the only Democrats to praise President Trump’s military operations, but said that he would not support sending American troops on the ground. The GOP-controlled Senate ultimately defeated the measure, which sought to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities unless explicitly approved by Congress. A similar resolution has been introduced in the House.

House Committee Subpoenas Attorney General Bondi

The House Oversight Committee voted 24–19 on Wednesday to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. Representative Scott Perry (R-PA-10) was one of five Republicans who joined Democrats in the vote. The subpoena follows reports that the Justice Department may have improperly withheld records, including FBI interview summaries regarding allegations involving President Trump and Epstein. 

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