Category: Blog post

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on October 22, 2025. October 16, 2025 By Marc Stier 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 budget from the year that ended on September 30th through sometime in November when, presumably, a full-year budget would be passed. That bill must be approved by a majority of the House and, because of the filibuster, 60 votes in the Senate. To get to those 60 votes, the Republicans need seven Democrats to vote for the CR. Because some Republicans in the House seek cuts to the budget, some Democratic votes may be necessary to pass the bill there as well.  The need for Democratic votes means that this is a unique moment at which Democrats—and perhaps even a few Republicans who… Continue reading

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on October 22, 2025. VIEW IN A PDF READER. FedBudgetHealthcare_FactSheet_10-2025-WEB 1Download Continue reading

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on October 11, 2025. CLICK TO READ FULL-SCREEN OR IN PDF READER OBBBA’s threat to Food Assistance second revisionDownload Following through on this proposal would cost Pennsylvania $10.46 billion over that nine-year period or roughly $1.16 billion per year. That is a reduction of approximately 20% of the $4.26 billion spent on SNAP each year in Pennsylvania. Here I want to describe the impact of these cuts on Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP, reminding us all that SNAP does not just benefit those who receive it directly. The Importance of SNAP in Pennsylvania In Pennsylvania, SNAP benefits two million people or 15% of the state’s population. Of those two million, 58% are families with children. And 44% are households with family members who are seniors or disabled. More than 280,000 Pennsylvania SNAP recipients are over the age of 65. Of all Pennsylvania’s young people… Continue reading

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on October 10, 2025. October 10, 2025 by Marc Stier The Pennsylvania state budget is now 13 weeks—a quarter of the year—late. Yet it’s not clear what’s causing the delay. And frankly it appears to be about almost nothing but petty political disputes mostly coming from the Republicans—so we’re calling it the “Seinfeld Shutdown.” A short budget delay is not that serious. State laws and court decisions keep most state offices open even if a budget has not been passed. That reduces the pressure on legislators to pass a budget. But a budget delayed for a quarter of the year is now harming schools, social services agencies, and county governments that have been waiting for state payments. Many have taken out loans that will add to greater state spending to reimburse them for interest payments. The impasse is the result of both partisan and… Continue reading

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on October 3, 2025. Our executive director Marc Stier shared this letter today with our colleagues and friends. October 3, 2025 Dear Friends, This week, the Pennsylvania Policy Center is announcing a search to replace me as executive director. I will stay until we hire a new executive director, which I expect will happen sometime between November and January, and work with the new executive director for as long as she or he wants to help ensure that the organization and its work thrive. You can find the job announcement and description here. Please share it with people you know who might be interested and are qualified to do the job. This is not an announcement that I’m retiring. I love my work and can’t imagine ever not doing it. It’s an announcement that I’ll be doing different work in the future and that… Continue reading

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on October 1, 2025. October 1, 2025 By Marc Stier The federal government is now shut down because the Republicans, who mostly run Washington, need some Democratic support to pass a temporary budget (known as a continuing resolution) in the Senate. For weeks, Democrats sought a meeting with Republicans to reach a bipartisan agreement. That meeting did not take place until a day before the end of the budget year. Democrats are demanding that the continuing resolution extend the expanded tax credits for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges and reverse the Medicaid cuts enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If the expanded ACA tax credits are not renewed, health insurance costs will sharply increase for everyone by an average of 18%—and for many families and small businesses the increase could be far higher, ranging from 44% to 153%.… Continue reading

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on September 19, 2025. September 19, 2025 By Marc Stier The federal government fiscal year ends on September 30th, and the government will shut down without congressional action to appropriate funds after that date.  The Republicans are planning to pass a continuing resolution (CR) by the end of this week, which would extend the current year budget through November 21st.  That bill must be approved by a majority of the House and, because of the filibuster, 60 votes in the Senate. To get to 60 votes, the Republicans need seven Democrats to vote for the CR. Because some Republicans in the House seek cuts to the budget, some Democratic votes may be necessary to pass the bill there as well.  The need for Democratic votes means that this is a unique moment at which Democrats—and perhaps even a few Republicans who have concerns about… Continue reading

Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on September 18, 2025. September 18, 2025 By Marc Stier The murder of Charlie Kirk was a terrible, appalling event. It was a blow not just to this young man and his family and young children, but to freedom of speech in the United States. Whatever one thinks of Kirk’s views—and I vehemently disagree with him—our country is diminished by his murder. People of all views will now think twice about entering the public space to express views that might be controversial. And we are all poorer for that. The worst possible response to this awful event, however, is being contemplated by President Trump and Vice President Vance. Their recent statements threatening to punish and defund “left-wing groups” that they wrongly hold responsible for the murder of Kirk would be an even greater threat to freedom of speech and assembly than the murder itself.… Continue reading