pennsylvania_state_government

🏛️ Structure of Pennsylvania State Government

Executive Branch

• Led by the Governor (currently Josh Shapiro).

• Other elected officials: Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor General, and Treasurer.

• Governor's Office Website

Legislative Branch

• Pennsylvania General Assembly: Bicameral system with the House of Representatives (203 members) and the Senate (50 members).

• Pennsylvania House of Representatives Website

• Pennsylvania State Senate Website

Judicial Branch

• Led by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, with the Superior Court, Commonwealth Court, and Courts of Common Pleas.

• Pennsylvania Judicial Branch Website

🗳️ Elections and Voter Information

• Pennsylvania Department of State (Elections Division): Oversees voter registration, election integrity, and candidate filings.

• Register to Vote

• Elections & Voting Info

• Pennsylvania Voter Guide: Comprehensive guides for state and local elections.

• Voter Guide Portal

📊 Key Political Issues in Pennsylvania

• Education Funding and Public School Equity

• Infrastructure Modernization and Transportation

• Healthcare Access and Prescription Drug Costs

• Environmental Conservation and Marcellus Shale Gas Development

• Public Safety and Gun Violence Prevention

• Affordable Housing and Urban Development

🤝 Civic Engagement & Grassroots Activism

• League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania: Promotes informed and active civic participation.

  • LWV Pennsylvania Website

• PennEnvironment: Focused on environmental preservation and sustainability.

  • PennEnvironment Website

• Keystone Progress: Advocates for progressive policy and grassroots engagement.

  • Keystone Progress Website

📰 Stay Informed

• The Philadelphia Inquirer: Covers statewide politics and government.

  • Philadelphia Inquirer Website

• Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Nonprofit newsroom focused on Pennsylvania politics and policy.

  • Capital-Star Website

• WITF: Offers in-depth reporting on state and local issues.

  • WITF Website

📚 Educational Resources

• Pennsylvania State Archives: Provides access to historical and government records.

  • Pennsylvania State Archives Website

• BallotPedia Pennsylvania: Neutral, fact-checked information on elections and policy.

  • Ballotpedia Pennsylvania

📱 Useful Tools and Apps

• Countable: Follow legislation and contact your representatives.

  • Countable App

• CivicEngage: Portal for community-level civic information.

  • CivicEngage Website