Justin Sweitzer
banner
jsweitzer.bsky.social
Justin Sweitzer
@jsweitzer.bsky.social
Politics nerd and managing editor at City & State PA. Probably writing about AI and government.

Check out our work at @cityandstatepa.bsky.social.
9 things to know about Josh Shapiro’s $53.3B budget proposal

Via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social
9 things to know about Josh Shapiro’s $53.3B budget proposal
Shapiro revisited past priorities and eyed new goals in an hour-long budget address.
www.cityandstatepa.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:19 PM
City of Philadelphia sues federal government over removal of slavery exhibits

By @harrisonlcann.bsky.social via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social
City of Philadelphia sues federal government over removal of slavery exhibits
The removed plaques included the names of nine slaves who worked for George Washington
www.cityandstatepa.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Something worth following: Pennsylvanians For Protecting Pharmacy Access – a coalition of pharmacists, patient advocates, health care providers + others – released a map of pharmacy deserts + recent closures across PA.

Here's a look at the state's pharmacy deserts.
January 22, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Citing $115,000 in unpaid rent, Lehigh County evicts ICE from Allentown office space

Via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social
Citing $115,000 in unpaid rent, Lehigh County evicts ICE from Allentown office space
County Executive Josh Siegel says the Department of Homeland Security’s ‘national reputation for recklessness’ warrants termination of a county lease agreement with the federal agency.
www.cityandstatepa.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:02 PM
PA officials among nationwide pushback against Trump claiming members of Congress engaged in ‘seditious behavior’

Via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social
PA officials among nationwide pushback against Trump claiming members of Congress engaged in ‘seditious behavior’
The president suggested in a social media post that the behavior of the lawmakers could be ‘punishable by DEATH!’
www.cityandstatepa.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The Delaware County GOP says their headquarters in Media, PA was vandalized last night.

Photos show their glass front door shattered.
November 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Justin Sweitzer
New: The John Fetterman primary talk is already heating up. 

The Pennsylvania Working Families Party announced it will support a primary challenger to the commonwealth’s senior U.S. senator. 
www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...
Working Families Party pledges to support a John Fetterman primary challenger
The progressive third party group is launching a portal to recruit and train potential candidates to challenge Fetterman in 2028
www.cityandstatepa.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
PA GOP Chair Greg Rothman reacts to yesterday's elex results.

"Last night the Republican Party sustained losses in Pennsylvania and across the nation ... We need to do a better job of communicating our core principles of freedom, security, prosperity and opportunity for all..."
November 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
On Election Day, Pennsylvania voters cast their ballots in high-stakes judicial retention elections, opting to keep Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for the next decade.

Via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social 🗳️
Pennsylvania voters retain 3 state Supreme Court justices
The high-stakes judicial retention elections attracted national attention and millions of dollars in spending.
www.cityandstatepa.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Retention roundup: Your last-minute guide to Pennsylvania’s 2025 judicial elections ⚖️ 📖

Via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social
Retention roundup: Your last-minute guide to Pennsylvania’s 2025 judicial elections
City & State examines the state of play in Pennsylvanians’ judicial contests.
www.cityandstatepa.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill that aims to bring more transparency to PA's permitting processes, including by requiring state agencies to create permit application tracking systems on their websites.

More here via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social ⤵️ www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2025/...
PA Senate passes permitting transparency bill
The bill, which would require state agencies to create public permit tracking systems, received bipartisan support in the state Senate.
www.cityandstatepa.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Shapiro: Arsonist’s guilty plea is a ‘just outcome’ after firebombing at governor’s residence

Via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social ⤵️ www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...
Shapiro: Arsonist’s guilty plea is a ‘just outcome’ after firebombing at governor’s residence
Penbrook man Cody Balmer pleaded guilty to charges of arson and attempted murder on Tuesday.
www.cityandstatepa.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:11 PM
News: SEIU Local 668, a PA union representing human service workers, says Northampton County plans to furlough its rank-and-file human service workers on Oct. 20 if a state budget isn’t passed.

The union will hold an event outside the county human services building tomorrow.
September 25, 2025 at 5:47 PM
DNC announces six-figure investment in PA Supreme Court retention elections

Via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social ⚖️⤵️
DNC announces six-figure investment in PA Supreme Court retention elections
The Democratic National Committee said the stakes of the retention elections couldn't be higher.
www.cityandstatepa.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Justin Sweitzer
Ferguson Township will host two public input hearings at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sept. 30.

The township doesn’t oversee Rock Spring Water Company but is involved in the state’s regulatory effort to find a permanent fix for the struggling system, which serves about 1,000 of the township’s residents.
Public hearings set as regulators consider Rock Spring Water sale
After years of unreliable service, Rock Spring Water customers can speak up on Sept. 30 ahead of a possible forced sale of the company.
www.spotlightpa.org
September 17, 2025 at 12:57 PM
In Pittsburgh speech, Shapiro says political violence ‘has no place in our society’

More here via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social ⤵️
In Pittsburgh speech, Shapiro says political violence ‘has no place in our society’
The Democratic governor, who was the target of an arson attack this year, spoke in the wake of the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
www.cityandstatepa.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
National Democrats announce a six-figure investment in Pennsylvania's Supreme Court retention elections ⚖️

More here via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social
National Democrats announce six-figure investment in Supreme Court retention elections
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee’s spend is just the latest instance of big money pouring into Pennsylvania’s high-stakes judicial races.
www.cityandstatepa.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
What's the latest on the Pennsylvania budget impasse? Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman said this week that he is encouraged by talks; there is still "no global agreement on a budget deal" at this time.

Stay up to date on budget talks with the @cityandstatepa.bsky.social state budget tracker ⤵️
City & State’s 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget tracker
Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget impasse is set to enter its third month.
www.cityandstatepa.com
September 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Justin Sweitzer
People deserve to be safe at school, safe on their campus, & safe in their community.

The shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah is horrifying & targeting anyone for their speech or their beliefs is unacceptable. Gun violence is uniquely an American problem and it is one we can & must do something about.
September 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Ahead of November’s pivotal judicial elections, three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices offered an inside look at Pennsylvania’s highest court during a fireside chat in Philadelphia.

More here via @cityandstatepa.bsky.social ⚖️
PA Supreme Court justices talk retention elections, court operations at Philadelphia forum
Ahead of November’s pivotal judicial elections, three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices offered an inside look at Pennsylvania’s highest court during a fireside chat in Philadelphia.
www.cityandstatepa.com
September 9, 2025 at 5:55 PM
PA Attorney General Dave Sunday has signed onto a letter to AI and tech company leaders that urges the tech sector to do more protect children from AI.

“At this inflection point in human history, the decisions your companies make could ramify for centuries,” the letter reads.
August 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
PASSHE Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino is kicking things off at the @cityandstatepa.bsky.social 2025 Higher Education Summit.
August 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward responds to the explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant in Allegheny County that has left one person dead and multiple injured.

“Today’s tragic events have left our entire region shaken,” Ward said.
August 11, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Justin Sweitzer
Public transit advocates and riders had a clear message for the state Senate Wednesday morning: Do your jobs so we can get to ours.

www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/202...
Transit advocates’ three-word message for state Senate: ‘Do your job’
SEPTA is set to have drastic service cuts and fare increases should the state budget not include transit funding soon
www.cityandstatepa.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Kim Ward suggests ‘six-month budget’ amid ongoing PA budget impasse

More here from @cityandstatepa.bsky.social ⤵️
Kim Ward suggests ‘six-month budget’ amid ongoing PA budget impasse
The Pennsylvania Senate president said school choice policies and mass transit funding remain sticking points.
www.cityandstatepa.com
August 5, 2025 at 9:28 PM