Pennsylvania Policy Center
@pennpolicycenter.bsky.social
PPC creates the tools that legislators, leaders, grassroots orgs, and the people of PA need to expand democracy, secure freedom, & seek economic justice.
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Statement on the 2025–2026 Pennsylvania State Budget
Pennsylvania schools, social service providers, and local governments are grateful today that the General Assembly is poised to adopt a state budget for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2025. …
pennpolicy.org
The PA General Assembly has finally adopted a state budget. When a budget is so late, it’s tempting to just celebrate. And while this budget contains a major achievement—a 2nd year of school funding—there's much that we can’t celebrate.
Here are our top takeaways:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Here are our top takeaways:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
“Work requirements” are a backdoor way to block people from receiving Medicaid and SNAP. They are unnecessary, create more red tape and add costs, and make no sense as public policy.
Work Requirements and the Safety Net
All ten Pennsylvania Republicans in the House of Representatives voted for the budget resolution that is designed to create deep cuts in Medicaid and SNAP to pay for the extension and expansion of …
pennpolicy.org
November 22, 2025 at 5:52 PM
“Work requirements” are a backdoor way to block people from receiving Medicaid and SNAP. They are unnecessary, create more red tape and add costs, and make no sense as public policy.
From the Washington Center for Equitable Growth: "While firms may be slow to pass cost shocks through into prices, we find that when they do, they raise prices in sizable increments."
equitablegrowth.org/uncertainty-...
equitablegrowth.org/uncertainty-...
November 21, 2025 at 6:35 PM
From the Washington Center for Equitable Growth: "While firms may be slow to pass cost shocks through into prices, we find that when they do, they raise prices in sizable increments."
equitablegrowth.org/uncertainty-...
equitablegrowth.org/uncertainty-...
Myths abound about the minimum wage because, like all myths, they serve the interests of the myth-makers. For the sake of working people in PA, it’s time for the Pennsylvania Senate to follow the House and put Pennsylvania on a path to a $15 minimum wage. pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Seven Myths About Raising the Minimum Wage—Debunked (2025 update)
Raising the minimum wage in Pennsylvania is long overdue. Yet even though the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a good minimum wage bill in 2023 that was actually modeled on one introduc…
pennpolicy.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Myths abound about the minimum wage because, like all myths, they serve the interests of the myth-makers. For the sake of working people in PA, it’s time for the Pennsylvania Senate to follow the House and put Pennsylvania on a path to a $15 minimum wage. pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Join us and Planned Parenthood PA Advocates tomorrow at 10 am at the PA Capitol for “Our Health, Our Future” Rally and Legislative Advocacy Day! Together, we’re building a just future for every Pennsylvanian. #OurHealthOurFuture #OurLobbyDay
November 17, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Join us and Planned Parenthood PA Advocates tomorrow at 10 am at the PA Capitol for “Our Health, Our Future” Rally and Legislative Advocacy Day! Together, we’re building a just future for every Pennsylvanian. #OurHealthOurFuture #OurLobbyDay
Investing in education benefits all of us. It strengthens our democracy and brings forth the educated and productive workers that both small and large businesses need. And that sets the stage for a growing economy that serves everyone:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
The Contribution of K–12 Education to Economic Growth and Democracy
In the wake of last year’s decision in the school funding lawsuit, policymakers and advocates across Pennsylvania are focused on the question of how to adequately and equitably fund our schools. Th…
pennpolicy.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Investing in education benefits all of us. It strengthens our democracy and brings forth the educated and productive workers that both small and large businesses need. And that sets the stage for a growing economy that serves everyone:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
While many groups are affected, farm workers have borne the brunt of the aggressive attacks on immigrant communities by the Trump admin. Beyond the cruelty, these policies also threaten the stability of an already fragile agricultural labor system. Learn more:
Agriculture and Immigration Raids in Pennsylvania
As soon as he became president again, Donald Trump launched an aggressive and deeply disruptive attack on immigrant communities. With incendiary rhetoric, sweeping executive orders, and expanded IC…
pennpolicy.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
While many groups are affected, farm workers have borne the brunt of the aggressive attacks on immigrant communities by the Trump admin. Beyond the cruelty, these policies also threaten the stability of an already fragile agricultural labor system. Learn more:
Policy change is difficult, so let’s celebrate a win.
In 2020 we proposed creating a PA add-on to the federal earned income tax cut. We and partners in @pennsyltogether.bsky.social advocated for it. Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Christina Sappey shepherded it through the PA House... (1/2)
In 2020 we proposed creating a PA add-on to the federal earned income tax cut. We and partners in @pennsyltogether.bsky.social advocated for it. Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Christina Sappey shepherded it through the PA House... (1/2)
November 13, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Policy change is difficult, so let’s celebrate a win.
In 2020 we proposed creating a PA add-on to the federal earned income tax cut. We and partners in @pennsyltogether.bsky.social advocated for it. Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Christina Sappey shepherded it through the PA House... (1/2)
In 2020 we proposed creating a PA add-on to the federal earned income tax cut. We and partners in @pennsyltogether.bsky.social advocated for it. Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Christina Sappey shepherded it through the PA House... (1/2)
The PA General Assembly has finally adopted a state budget. When a budget is so late, it’s tempting to just celebrate. And while this budget contains a major achievement—a 2nd year of school funding—there's much that we can’t celebrate.
Here are our top takeaways:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Here are our top takeaways:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Statement on the 2025–2026 Pennsylvania State Budget
Pennsylvania schools, social service providers, and local governments are grateful today that the General Assembly is poised to adopt a state budget for the fiscal year that began on July 1, 2025. …
pennpolicy.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The PA General Assembly has finally adopted a state budget. When a budget is so late, it’s tempting to just celebrate. And while this budget contains a major achievement—a 2nd year of school funding—there's much that we can’t celebrate.
Here are our top takeaways:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Here are our top takeaways:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Reposted by Pennsylvania Policy Center
INBOX: @governor.pa.gov will deliver remarks and sign the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act into law at 2:45 p.m.
November 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
INBOX: @governor.pa.gov will deliver remarks and sign the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act into law at 2:45 p.m.
Reposted by Pennsylvania Policy Center
🚨BREAKING: STRIKERS WIN!
The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
🚨BREAKING: STRIKERS WIN!
The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
The order affirms what we’ve said all along: The PG’s lawless union-busting cannot stand. We made sure it didn’t. We’re taking back what they stole from us. We won this strike.
Join our friends at Affordable PA, Rural Organizing, and For Our Future in Wilkes-Barre for a food drive to benefit a local food bank. Together, we can help our neighbors weather this crisis and make sure no one goes hungry.
Help Us Feed Local Families · Affordable Pennsylvania
Please join Affordable PA, Rural Organizing, and For Our Future for a food drive to benefit a local food bank.
With the ongoing government shutdown and the suspension of SNAP payments for November, many families are facing an even greater struggle to put food on the table. For those already fighting to make ends meet, the loss of these vital benefits has created an urgent need for support.
Local food banks are seeing a sharp increase in demand as more people turn to them for help, but supplies are stretched thin. The increase in need is putting tremendous strain on already limited resources.
Your donations can make a real difference. By contributing non-perishable foods, or household essentials, you’ll help ensure a local food bank can continue serving those who need it most during this difficult time.
Together, we can help our neighbors weather this crisis and make sure no one goes hungry.
www.mobilize.us
November 10, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Join our friends at Affordable PA, Rural Organizing, and For Our Future in Wilkes-Barre for a food drive to benefit a local food bank. Together, we can help our neighbors weather this crisis and make sure no one goes hungry.
Around $100 million in SNAP benefits starting being distributed to Pennsylvanians on Friday, thanks to quick action by the Shapiro administration, especially Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh:
www.inquirer.com/politics/pen...
www.inquirer.com/politics/pen...
Pa. begins distributing SNAP benefits as Shapiro offers rebuke of Vance, tells Trump administration to ‘give up’ fight
Whether the Trump administration will successfully block the remaining $266 million due to Pa. in November SNAP benefits is unclear. It secured temporary relief from the Supreme Court late Friday.
www.inquirer.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Around $100 million in SNAP benefits starting being distributed to Pennsylvanians on Friday, thanks to quick action by the Shapiro administration, especially Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh:
www.inquirer.com/politics/pen...
www.inquirer.com/politics/pen...
As we wait to see if Trump releases funding for SNAP, many people are worried about accessing the food they need. And food pantries need resources to help keep people from hunger. We've put together a list of food resources around the Commonwealth:
pennpolicy.org/where-to-fin...
pennpolicy.org/where-to-fin...
Find Food Assistance
Visit the post for more.
pennpolicy.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:16 PM
As we wait to see if Trump releases funding for SNAP, many people are worried about accessing the food they need. And food pantries need resources to help keep people from hunger. We've put together a list of food resources around the Commonwealth:
pennpolicy.org/where-to-fin...
pennpolicy.org/where-to-fin...
Join us for our next Federal Policy Action call on Thurs., 11/6 at 1PM. We'll be joined by THREE of PA's congressional representatives for their inside takes on the GOP federal shutdown, cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, and spiking health care premiums.
RSVP to join: bit.ly/PolicyAction...
RSVP to join: bit.ly/PolicyAction...
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Join us for our next Federal Policy Action call on Thurs., 11/6 at 1PM. We'll be joined by THREE of PA's congressional representatives for their inside takes on the GOP federal shutdown, cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, and spiking health care premiums.
RSVP to join: bit.ly/PolicyAction...
RSVP to join: bit.ly/PolicyAction...
It’s election day, PA!
⁉️ Voter Protection Hotline for any Qs: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
🗳 Voting in person? Polling places are open 7am - 8pm.
✉️ Mail ballots must be returned to your county by 8pm TODAY.
🔗 Find information on how to return your ballot, the location of your polling place, and more at vote.pa
⁉️ Voter Protection Hotline for any Qs: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
🗳 Voting in person? Polling places are open 7am - 8pm.
✉️ Mail ballots must be returned to your county by 8pm TODAY.
🔗 Find information on how to return your ballot, the location of your polling place, and more at vote.pa
November 4, 2025 at 3:31 PM
It’s election day, PA!
⁉️ Voter Protection Hotline for any Qs: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
🗳 Voting in person? Polling places are open 7am - 8pm.
✉️ Mail ballots must be returned to your county by 8pm TODAY.
🔗 Find information on how to return your ballot, the location of your polling place, and more at vote.pa
⁉️ Voter Protection Hotline for any Qs: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
🗳 Voting in person? Polling places are open 7am - 8pm.
✉️ Mail ballots must be returned to your county by 8pm TODAY.
🔗 Find information on how to return your ballot, the location of your polling place, and more at vote.pa
We are in the fight for our lives and others’! Join us for our Federal Policy Action call on Thursday, November 6th at 1PM. We'll be joined by Congressman Brendan Boyle with his inside take on the GOP federal shutdown, the cuts in SNAP benefits, and spiking health care costs.
bit.ly/PolicyAction...
bit.ly/PolicyAction...
November 3, 2025 at 9:11 PM
We are in the fight for our lives and others’! Join us for our Federal Policy Action call on Thursday, November 6th at 1PM. We'll be joined by Congressman Brendan Boyle with his inside take on the GOP federal shutdown, the cuts in SNAP benefits, and spiking health care costs.
bit.ly/PolicyAction...
bit.ly/PolicyAction...
PA's highest courts are on the ballot on Tuesday, November 4th! They make final decisions on our rights and freedoms. Your voice makes the difference - make your plan to vote at vote.pa/plan, and check in with loved ones to make sure they know their plan!
October 31, 2025 at 8:00 PM
PA's highest courts are on the ballot on Tuesday, November 4th! They make final decisions on our rights and freedoms. Your voice makes the difference - make your plan to vote at vote.pa/plan, and check in with loved ones to make sure they know their plan!
Don’t let your vote vanish 👻If you still have your mail ballot…don’t mail it! Hand deliver it. Before the cobwebs start to gather, visit vote.pa/return to learn how to return your ballot #VotePA #ProtectPACourts
October 31, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Don’t let your vote vanish 👻If you still have your mail ballot…don’t mail it! Hand deliver it. Before the cobwebs start to gather, visit vote.pa/return to learn how to return your ballot #VotePA #ProtectPACourts
With the public deeply concerned about health care funding cuts and the Trump–Vance threats to our basic liberties, this is the time for Democrats to stand up and make sure everyone knows which side they are on
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
The Continuing Shutdown Fight to Save Health Care and Democracy
The federal shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, continues. And the fundamental issues have not changed. The Republicans still want to pass a continuing resolution (CR) that would extend the b…
pennpolicy.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
With the public deeply concerned about health care funding cuts and the Trump–Vance threats to our basic liberties, this is the time for Democrats to stand up and make sure everyone knows which side they are on
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Reposted by Pennsylvania Policy Center
We held a press conference yesterday w/ advocates, legislators, & impacted residents to call out the Republican-led Medicaid cuts and expiration of ACA tax credits, both of which are driving up health care costs across PA. The shutdown isn’t about politics—it’s about our health care #ProtectOurCare
October 30, 2025 at 1:44 PM
We held a press conference yesterday w/ advocates, legislators, & impacted residents to call out the Republican-led Medicaid cuts and expiration of ACA tax credits, both of which are driving up health care costs across PA. The shutdown isn’t about politics—it’s about our health care #ProtectOurCare
Pennsylvania judicial retention elections are on the ballot! On 11/4 you'll be asked to vote on whether to keep three justices on our state Supreme Court.
The future of PA will come down to how people answer this question, so be ready! Make your plan at vote.pa/plan
The future of PA will come down to how people answer this question, so be ready! Make your plan at vote.pa/plan
October 28, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Pennsylvania judicial retention elections are on the ballot! On 11/4 you'll be asked to vote on whether to keep three justices on our state Supreme Court.
The future of PA will come down to how people answer this question, so be ready! Make your plan at vote.pa/plan
The future of PA will come down to how people answer this question, so be ready! Make your plan at vote.pa/plan
Reposted by Pennsylvania Policy Center
The Administration is legally required to use contingency reserves to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 Americans who need #SNAP to afford groceries, despite USDA Sec. Rollins’ claim that the Administration is unable to do so. My statement: www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
Trump Administration Is Legally Required to Provide SNAP in Shutdown, Contrary to Its Claims
Secretary Rollins’ claim that the Trump Administration is unable to deliver November SNAP benefits during a shutdown is unequivocally false. The Administration is legally required to use contingency r...
www.cbpp.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:53 PM
The Administration is legally required to use contingency reserves to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 Americans who need #SNAP to afford groceries, despite USDA Sec. Rollins’ claim that the Administration is unable to do so. My statement: www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
With the state’s official health insurance marketplace, Pennie, Pennsylvania cut the percentage of people in the state who are uninsured nearly in half. The new federal law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” reverses that progress:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
From Progress to Peril: Health Care In Pennsylvania Under Trump
With the state’s official health insurance marketplace, Pennie, Pennsylvania cut the rate of those without medical insurance nearly in half over ten years, falling from 13.6% in 2013 to 7.1% in 202…
pennpolicy.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
With the state’s official health insurance marketplace, Pennie, Pennsylvania cut the percentage of people in the state who are uninsured nearly in half. The new federal law, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” reverses that progress:
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
The funds and the legal authority exist to keep SNAP operating during the shutdown. The Trump Administration’s inaction is a choice, not an inevitability: pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
SNAP at Risk: The Trump Administration Can Prevent a Food Crisis
The federal government shutdown continues as Republicans refuse to even consider compromising with Democrats about protecting health care or democracy. The shutdown has led to the loss of many gove…
pennpolicy.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The funds and the legal authority exist to keep SNAP operating during the shutdown. The Trump Administration’s inaction is a choice, not an inevitability: pennpolicy.org/research_pub...
Reposted by Pennsylvania Policy Center
At Monsters, Masks & Medical Bills, we’re giving away kid's Halloween costumes (while supplies last) — and inviting families to share their experiences with unaffordable health care, rising premiums, & other healthcare concerns. Join us in Bethlehem on Saturday! www.mobilize.us/democracypa/...
Monsters, Masks & Medical Bills · Democracy PA
# Bring the family for FREE Halloween costumes and community storytelling! 👻
At ** Monsters, Masks & Medical Bills, ** we’re giving away children’s Halloween costumes (while supplies last) — and invi...
www.mobilize.us
October 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
At Monsters, Masks & Medical Bills, we’re giving away kid's Halloween costumes (while supplies last) — and inviting families to share their experiences with unaffordable health care, rising premiums, & other healthcare concerns. Join us in Bethlehem on Saturday! www.mobilize.us/democracypa/...