Editor’s note: The Pennsylvania Perspective will be taking a break over the next week. Regular updates will resume on Thursday, October 2.
Pennsylvania
PA Budget Stalemate in Third Month as Rainy Day Fund Debate Intensifies
Lawmakers remain deadlocked over spending levels, revenue options, and policy priorities, leaving schools and human services without state funding and forcing local governments to borrow or cut programs. At the center of the fight is Pennsylvania’s $7 billion Rainy Day Fund, which could cover about 54 days of operations. Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has proposed using $1.6 billion to balance the budget, while fiscal conservatives warn that tapping reserves could violate state law, harm the state’s credit rating, and fail to fix the structural deficit.
Gov. Shapiro Urges PJM Reform at 13-State Energy Summit
Opening a historic meeting of PJM states, Gov. Shapiro called for faster interconnection of new energy projects, lower consumer costs, and greater state input in grid governance, warning that delays and rising prices demand significant reforms to ensure reliability and affordability for 67 million customers.
PA Supreme Court Weighs Final Ruling on Mail-Ballot Date Dispute
After years of conflicting state and federal decisions on whether undated or misdated mail ballots should count, justices heard arguments that could settle the issue, while a parallel federal case moves toward possible U.S. Supreme Court review, leaving voters and election officials seeking clarity before 2026. Votebeat Pennsylvania has more.
Spotlight PA Offers Voter Guide for Judicial Retention Elections
Three Democratic justices—Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht—are seeking retention on the state Supreme Court this November, with the Pennsylvania Bar Association recommending all three, while Republicans urge “no” votes that could set up partisan contests in 2027 and reshape the court’s majority. Spotlight PA has more.
PA GOP Endorses Garrity for Governor as 2026 Race Takes Shape
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R) secured the party’s backing to challenge Gov. Shapiro, while speculation continues over a possible bid by state Senator Doug Mastriano (R-Adams/Franklin) and the influence of President Donald Trump, with no endorsement yet for lieutenant governor. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
AI Boom Spurs Debate Over Energy Costs, Policy in PA
As tech companies invest billions in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, lawmakers weigh proposals ranging from fast-track permitting and tax incentives to consumer protections amid rising electricity rates, while environmental advocates warn of unchecked impacts and legislative gridlock. WESA has more.
New Historical Markers Honor PA Stories for America’s 250th Anniversary
Forty-five markers will be installed across 21 Pennsylvania counties, highlighting contributions from early pioneers to cultural icons and tying into celebrations of the nation’s semiquincentennial. The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has more.
Philadelphia
Calder Gardens Opens on Parkway After Decades in Development
The $90 million cultural space dedicated to Alexander Calder combines rotating art displays with gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, aiming to attract 100,000 visitors in its first year and enhance Philadelphia’s cultural corridor. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.
Pittsburgh
Proposed School Closures Spark Concern in Pittsburgh’s Hill District
Pittsburgh Public Schools may close Miller African-Centered Academy and reconfigure UPrep Milliones, raising fears about preserving cultural programming and avoiding overcrowding, while district leaders cite declining enrollment and facility costs as key factors. WESA has more.
Federal
Sen. Fetterman Backs Both Party Plans to Avert Shutdown; Neither Passes
U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D) voted for Democratic and Republican proposals to keep the government open, citing his refusal to risk “mass chaos,” yet both measures failed, leaving a shutdown looming as lawmakers clash over spending and health care provisions. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.
Fewer PA Homes to Benefit from Revised Federal Broadband Plan
Changes to the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) program will disqualify many locations and shift funding toward satellite providers, raising concerns about affordability and reliability as rural communities face reduced access to high-speed internet. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
DCCC Outraises NRCC in August Despite Slow Month for Both Parties
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) brought in $7.1 million compared to the The National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) $3.9 million last month, widening their cash-on-hand advantage to $41.1 million versus $36.4 million. August remained a sluggish fundraising period across both parties. Punchbowl News has more.
Cozen Corner
Beltway Briefing: Politics, Power, and the Price of Speech
Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension has reignited debates over free speech, cancel culture, and political power. The episode breaks down all things Jimmy Kimmel—what his case reveals about hypocrisy on both sides, the role of government pressure, and what it means for the future of public discourse. Listen to the latest episode featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Patrick Martin, and Towner French here.