Public News Service

In March, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced House Bill 2063, which would reform the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs. (Jasmina/AdobeStock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Report: PA track record on private-school vouchers finds still no accountability

A new report analyzes Pennsylvania's existing voucher programs, that divert public funds to private schools. This comes on the heels of Gov…

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is seeking $112 million in new funding to produce more graduates in six high-growth jobs, including social services. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

'Empowering Social Workers,' in March and beyond

Social workers are in the spotlight in March for National Professional Social Work Month. They play a crucial role in addressing society's most …

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Educators voice concern PA school voucher programs 'discriminate'

Pennsylvania's teachers' union is voicing concerns that the state's public school voucher program will negatively affect public education in lower-inc…

La Federaci�n Estadounidense de Maestros dice que su campa�a

Educadores preocupados por 'discriminación' en programas de vales escolares

El sindicato de maestros de Pensilvania expresa su preocupación de que el programa de vales para escuelas públicas del estado afecte negativ…

A 2024-2025 budget proposal from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro includes $100 million in mental health funding for K-12 schools, building upon one-time federal funds, to ensure schools have the resources to provide mental health services to students and staff. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

PSEA applauds Gov. Shapiro's record budget proposal for public schools

Looking to tackle inequitable education funding across the state, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has unveiled a new budget plan, including a major …

The Keystone State was one of only two states in the nation not providing any funding from the state for its public defense services. (Gorodenkoff/AdobeStock)

For the first time, Pennsylvania will fund indigent defense

Pennsylvania is taking a significant step this year by providing funding to counties for indigent legal defense for residents. The passage of House …

Among young BIPOC farmers surveyed, 33% said getting access to land is

Young PA farmers urge Congress to help secure land access

Young farmers in Pennsylvania and across the country want Congress to help them, especially with fair and affordable land access, as they deal with …

Appalachia is home to 26.3 million people and covers 206,000 square miles, encompassing 423 counties in 13 states. (Iammotos/Adobe Stock)

Virtual summit on sustainable manufacturing, federal funds for Appalachia

Pennsylvania's Appalachian region needs opportunities to bolster its economy, which will be the topic of a virtual summit in mid-January. The goal is …

The Keystone Research Center estimates raising the minimum wage would affect not only minimum-wage workers, but more than 1 million others in Pennsylvania. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

As others see pay hikes, PA minimum wage stuck at $7.25

Low-wage workers in Pennsylvania are missing out on the pay hikes taking effect in 22 other states and 43 cities and counties this month, through …

In October, Pennsylvania's unemployment rate was 3.4%, compared with 4.4% a year ago. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

Report: PA job market 'fully rebounds' from pandemic

Pennsylvania's nonfarm jobs have surged past pre-pandemic levels, and a new report called it a full recovery for the state's labor market. The …

By August 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Education is expected to establish a streamlined pathway to certification for educators who earned their certification outside Pennsylvania. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

A call for 'bold action' to address PA school funding disparities

During a public hearing on improving school funding, the Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding Commission heard from people who stressed the need to …

A new Keystone Research Center report highlightsd initiatives like

Report: Federal funding would ignite apprenticeships, create job pathways

Pennsylvania needs more economic opportunities and a new report from the Keystone Research Center showed federal investments in climate and infrastruc…

The Recompete Pilot Program provides financial assistance and flexibility to revitalize rural economies through economic development strategies, according to the Rural Policy Action Report. (Gary L Hider/Adobe Stock)

PA town, college partner to write grants for community projects

CLARIFICATIONS: Mayor Jaime Kinder was not the coauthor of the report mentioned, and her office was not the source of the interviews with 700 …

Between January and the end of June this year, the 2,255 bills introduced and referred to committees were slightly less than the totals for the previous two sessions. (Zack Frank/AdobeStock)

"Fix Harrisburg" reports slow start to PA legislative performance

Pennsylvania advocacy groups will gather at the Capitol rotunda for a "Fix Harrisburg" press conference today to deliver a new performance report to s…

Entre enero y finales de junio de este a�o, los 2.255 proyectos de ley presentados y remitidos a las comisiones fueron ligeramente inferiores a los totales de las dos sesiones anteriores. (Zack Frank/AdobeStock)

"Fix Harrisburg" informa un lento comienzo del desempeño legislativo en PA

Grupos de defensa de Pensilvania se reunirán hoy en la rotonda del Capitolio para una conferencia de prensa "Fix Harrisburg" para entregar un nue…

A new national poll found 79% of Republican voters say America's economic future depends on bringing back training programs for blue-collar jobs which do not require a four-year degree, such as manufacturing. (Winnievinzence/Adobe Stock)

Poll: PA GOP voters voice support for strong manufacturing policies, tariffs

A new poll found Pennsylvania Republican voters want political candidates to prioritize preserving and growing manufacturing including tariffs in the …

Older and disabled adults have received more than $7.6 billion in property tax and rent relief since the start of the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program in 1971. (Lordn/AdobeStock)

PA Expands Property Tax, Rent Rebate Program to Aid Older Adults

Pennsylvanians will soon see some financial relief with their property taxes and rent. Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed House Bill 1100 into law…

A new report reveals the number of jobs in Pennsylvania surpassed the pre-pandemic (February 2020) level in January 2023. As of July, it had exceeded that level by 61,100. (Rade Lukovic/Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: PA Workers Benefit from Tight Labor Market, Wage Gains

A tight labor market with steady growth and historically low unemployment - those are the findings in the new "State of Working Pennsylvania" report…

A new report found many agencies made programming changes - With 45% reducing capacity for their programming and one in four (24%) closing one or more programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Pressmaster/AdobeStock)

Salary Survey Highlights Compensation Trends, Pandemic Impact on Child-Welfare Workforce

A new report analyzes salary data and the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on the workforce of child-welfare, juvenile-justice and children's mental …

Pennsylvania's 500 school districts range in size from approximately 200 students to more than 140,000 students. (WavebreakmediaMicro/AdobeStock)

PA State Budget in Limbo Over Private School Voucher Plan

Pennsylvania is still operating without a budget as the new school year approaches. House Bill 611 is now in the state Senate. It would provide more …

Impervious surfaces in urban areas are a major hydrologic alteration contributing to increased stormwater runoff and pollutant loading during rainfall and snowmelt events. (Soupstock/AdobeStock)

CBF Amicus Brief Urging Reversal of Stormwater Fee Decision

In Pennsylvania, environmental advocacy groups are awaiting the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision which could affect the future of Commonwealth-…

The SAVE plan for undergraduate loans would cut in half the amount that borrowers have to pay each month from 10% to 5% of their discretionary income. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Pennsylvanians Look to SAVE Plan to Help with Student Loan Debt

The new student loan forgiveness plan known as "SAVE" could lower monthly bills and reduce the amount some borrowers have to pay back over the lifetim…

Pennsylvania has nearly 300 colleges, universities and technical schools for prospective students of all career interests, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.(NolaV/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

Education Advocates: Affirmative Action Ruling a Step Back for Racial Equality

In Pennsylvania, education advocates contended affirmative action has been a critical tool in promoting equity and addressing historical …

Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget proposal includes a $4.2 million investment in a Public Library Facilities Improvement Fund. It would give small, rural public libraries access to targeted funds for repairs and improvements. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Higher-Ed System Budget at Stake in PA Senate

With only a week to go until the next state budget has to be finalized, advocates for colleges and universities in Pennsylvania are hoping for a …

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed budget includes $100 million to fund the School-Based Mental Health Supports Block Grant to connect more students and staff to mental health services. (Rawpixel/Adobe Stock)

PA Group Pushes Senate to Approve Budget with K-12 School Funding Increase

A Pennsylvania advocacy group is watching carefully as the Senate ponders House Bill 611, which would provide more funding for basic K-12 and special …

Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed raising Pennsylvania's state minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour effective Jan. 1, 2024. (Zerbor/Adobe Stock)

PA Could See $15 Minimum Wage by 2026

As workers wait for the full Pennsylvania House to vote on whether to increase the state minimum wage, one economist said the increase would be a …

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book noted Pennsylvania's average annual cost of center-based child care for a toddler was $11,346, or 10% of the median income for a married couple and 35% of a single mother's income in the state. (DenisProduction.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Ranks 22nd Among States in Child Well-Being

Pennsylvania ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children. It is 22nd overall in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

In 2020, nearly 3.4 million people, or about 26% of Pennsylvania's 13 million residents, lived in 48 rural counties in the Keystone State. (Gary L Hider/Adobe Stock)

Rural PA Mayor Puts Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds to Work

A small Pennsylvania community is hoping Congress will remember the needs of rural areas as lawmakers negotiate the final, contentious debt ceiling …

Pennsylvania adults with disabilities represent 11% of the population, in terms of mobility<br />and/or cognitive challenges. (Jesse B/peopleimages.com)<br /><br />

PA Starts on New 'Master Plan for Older Adults'

A new Master Plan for Older Adults is being developed in Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Thursday, directing the …

A new report predicts up to 639 premature deaths from respiratory illnesses would be prevented in Pennsylvania due to emission reductions resulting directly from participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. (Erik Bergen Photos/Adobe Stock)

New Report: Impact for PA to Join Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

A new report analyzed the potential impact of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on Pennsylvania emissions, power generation, revenue, and jobs…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 15 minutes a person in the United States dies from an infection that's resistant to treatment with existing antimicrobial drugs.(Tashatuvango/AdobeStock)

Reintroduction of PASTEUR Act to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced the PASTEUR Act in Congress, which stands for Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End …

The Commonwealth's K-12 public school system serves more than 1.7 million students. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Call to Action: PA Group Pushes for More K-12 School Funding

More school funding for basic and special education, along with more funding targeted to lower-income districts are on the wish list of a …

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, from October 2021 to September 2022, Pennsylvania has received a record $480.5 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program available this fiscal year. (Andreykr/AdobeStock)

PA Leaders Focus on Infrastructure, Transportation During NLC Conference

City leaders from Pennsylvania and across the country convened in Washington, D.C., this week for the National League of Cities Congressional City …

In Pennsylvania, funding for K-12 education totals more than $30 billion or $19,369 per pupil, according to the website EducationData.org. (Adobe Stock)

PA Now Tasked with Public-School Funding Revamp

It's been two weeks since a Commonwealth Court judge ruled Pennsylvania's system of funding public schools is unconstitutional and must be revamped…

Voters in Pittsburgh-area districts 32, 34 and 35 will head to the polls Tuesday to fill three vacancies in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. (MoiraM/AdobeStock)

Group Continues Calls for Better Legislative Rules in PA

While the Pennsylvania House is still out of session and won't resume until late February, the public and advocacy groups are voicing their concerns…

Los votantes de los distritos 32, 34 y 35 del �rea de Pittsburgh acudir�n a las urnas el martes para llenar tres vacantes en la C�mara de Representantes de Pensilvania. (MoiraM/AdobeStock)

Grupo continúa pidiendo mejores reglas legislativas en PA

Si bien la Cámara de Pensilvania aún está fuera de sesión y no se reanudará hasta fines de febrero, el público y los …

Utilities offer payment programs and other arrangements for households having trouble paying bills. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission said last year, utilities spent <a href=

$459 million on such programs. (Kenishirotie/Adobe Stock)">

Staying Warm in PA with Winter Heating Assistance

Higher fuel prices and a bitterly cold start to this winter mean it will cost more for most people to heat their homes, according to the U.S…

Subsidized Child Care Program assists low-income families in Pennsylvania to help with child-care expenses, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. (Lordn/AdobeStock)">

Study: Children in Child Care Don't Exhibit Problematic Behaviors

A new study shows kids in child care are not more likely to exhibit behavior problems than those who don't attend them. The Society for Research in …

The most recent numbers show more than 8 million registered voters in the Keystone State. (Christian Hinkle/Adobe Stock)

'Fix Harrisburg' Rally to Demand Better Legislative Rules in PA

Pennsylvania advocacy groups will gather on the State Capitol steps for a "Fix Harrisburg" rally on Jan. 3, the first day the General Assembly is in …

Las cifras m�s recientes muestran m�s de 8 millones de votantes registrados en el Estado de Keystone. (Christian Hinkle/Adobe Stock)

'Fix Harrisburg' para exigir mejores normas legislativas en Pensilvania

El 3 de enero, primer día del nuevo periodo de sesiones de la Asamblea General, grupos de defensa de los derechos de los ciudadanos de …

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients in 2022 was 5.9%. There have been automatic COLA adjustments since 1975 based on the Consumer Price Index. (Larryhw/Adobe Stock)

Social Security Recipients Anticipate Boost in Monthly Benefits

About 70 million Americans could soon see what some are predicting as a sizable increase in Social Security benefits for 2023, which would mean …

The pilot program in the CHIPS Act is based on legislation known as the RECOMPETE Act, written by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash. (Sherman Cahal/Adobe Stock)

An Asset for Distressed Rural Communities in PA

A little-known facet of the CHIPS and Science Act, passed in Congress this summer to boost the semiconductor industry, could benefit areas of rural …

In 2020-21, nearly 90% of charter school funding from state, local and federal sources came from mandatory tuition payments from school districts, according to the Keystone Center for Charter Change. (V. Yakobchuk/Adobe Stock)

PA School-Board Groups Advocate for Charter-School Funding Changes

A Pennsylvania group made up of members of locally-elected, volunteer school boards across the state is urging the General Assembly to take action to …

This year's Pennsylvania education budget includes $850 million in recurring funding to allow school districts to invest in student learning while simultaneously allowing local communities to cut property taxes. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

New PA School Year: Underfunded Districts, Unresolved Lawsuit

CORRECTION: The $3.7 billion figure represents an increase in education investments during the eight-year Wolf Administration, not the Pennsylvania …

Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program covers kids' dental and vision care as well as medical care. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

PA Touts Success of Children’s Health Insurance Program

The Children's Health Insurance Program, covering low-income kids across the country, turns 25 in August, but Pennsylvania has had its own "CHIP" …

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's figures for 2020-21 show a statewide average expenditure for public schools at $19,667 per pupil. (Wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

PSEA Reacts to Gubernatorial Candidate’s Plan to Cut Public-School Funding

Pennsylvania spends an average of almost $20,000 per student per year on education statewide, but one candidate for governor has said he thinks …

The economic gains made through 2021 were not shared equally across racial groups. Women of color continue to have trouble paying for such necessities as food and housing, and many say they'll have trouble repaying student loans. (Black Queen Design/Adobe Stock)

Report: Black Women Face Higher Student-Debt Burden in Pandemic

COVID-19 has touched just about every facet of life, and a new report from the Center for Responsible Lending says women repaying student loans have …

Las ganancias econ�micas logradas hasta 2021 no se repartieron por igual entre los grupos raciales. Las mujeres de color contin�an teniendo problemas para pagar necesidades como alimentos y vivienda, y muchas dicen que tendr�n problemas para pagar los pr�stamos estudiantiles. (Dise�o de Reina Negra/Adobe Stock)

Mujeres de color enfrentan mayor carga de deuda estudiantil en la pandemia

El COVID-19 ha tocado casi todas las facetas de la vida, y un nuevo informe del Centro de Préstamos Responsables dice que las mujeres que pagan …

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PA: Budget Policy & Priorities