By Roy Wells
In the first post of this series, gaining a general understanding of the political complexities and nuances of a state government is a crucial element when beginning the process of identifying and then hiring a public affairs consultant. To better illustrate that process, let us use the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a specific example.
If you are seeking a public affairs firm or consultant in Pennsylvania, the first question you might ask yourself is, “Why does Pennsylvania identify as a ‘commonwealth?” For your general knowledge, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Kentucky are also identified as commonwealths. Although there is no legal difference between a commonwealth and a state, in the case of Pennsylvania, this distinction does provide some insights into the political culture of Pennsylvania.
The term “commonwealth” derives from a 17th-century philosophical view that rejected the monarchy in favor of a government that emphasized the common good. Nowhere is this more evident than in Pennsylvania when you examine the political complexities of local government.
Population in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, with a population exceeding 13 million, is comprised of 67 counties, 2,562 municipalities (cities, boroughs, townships, and one incorporated town), 500 school districts, and over 3,100 general-purpose political subdivisions (transportation authorities, water and sewer authorities, housing authorities, etc.). It has over 3.4 million rural residents (second to Texas), resulting in significant divisions between the interests of rural and urban residents.
In addition, regional differences provide a good context for Pennsylvania’s politics.
- Philadelphia & Southeast PA: It trends more liberal, Democratic, and is influenced by a diverse population.
- Pittsburgh & Southwestern PA: Strongly Democratic in the city, it has shifted more Republican over the past 40 years in the surrounding counties.
- Central & Northern PA: Sometimes referred to as the “T,” it is rural, conservative, and strongly Republican, with politics shaped by agriculture, energy, and traditional values.
- Suburbs: The political swing areas of the state, comprised of voters who have trended more independent and Democratic in recent election cycles, creating more political competition.
Political Environment in Pennsylvania
Now let us get into the specifics. Based on the differentiators of state governments that were outlined in the first post series, Pennsylvania falls into the following categories:
- Full-time professional legislature;
- Annual adoption of a state budget;
- Strong chief executive; and
- Political control is split between the political parties (“purple state”).
Full-Time Professional Legislature
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is comprised of fifty state senators and 203 state house representatives. The Senate Republicans currently maintain a 27 – 23 majority, while the House Democrats maintain a 102 – 101 majority. Rank-and-file senate and house members’ salaries are $110,000 per year, with the Senate Pro Tempore and the House Speaker earning $172,000 per year. These legislative members are supported by a staff of approximately 2,700. With a legislative session that spans a two-year period with session occurring all year round. During the 2023-24 session, 4,787 bills were introduced by both chambers, with 231 of them signed into law.
Annual State Budget
Pennsylvania’s fiscal year ends on June 30. The 2024-2025 budget appropriated $44.17 billion in state funding and $42.51 billion in federal funding, for a total budget of $86.68 billion.
Pennsylvania’s budget process is illustrated below:
Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Budget / Governor’s Office of the Budget
Strong Governor
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) was elected in 2022 and is expected to run for reelection in 2026. Except for three statewide elected officials – the treasurer, auditor general, and attorney general; the governor appoints, in some cases, with the consent of the senate, cabinet officials and the heads of most boards and commissions. In addition to possessing line-item veto authority and crafting and negotiating annual budgets, Pennsylvania’s governor wields considerable authority. The governor’s office has over 77,000 employees under its jurisdiction.
Split Political Control
There is no dominant political party that currently controls the levers of Pennsylvania state government. For the past decade, the governor’s office has been controlled by the Democratic Party. Historically, though, between 1955 and 2011, party control of the governor’s office switched between the political parties every eight years. This trend changed when Republican Governor Tom Corbett served for only one term, losing his reelection in 2014.
The Republican Party has controlled the state senate for the past thirty-one years, with the Democrats briefly controlling the chamber in 1993. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives, however, has seen a control shift between the parties. The Republicans controlled the chamber from 1994 through 2008 and then again between 2011 and 2021. Democratic control occurred in 2009 and 2010 and has been maintained since 2022, currently with a one-seat majority.
This shifting power dynamic has resulted in Republican trifectas between 1995 and 2002, and again between 2011 and 2014.
Demographics Drive Decision Making
After learning more about the complexities and political environment of Pennsylvania’s state government, in the final blog post of this series, we will examine how understanding Pennsylvania’s political culture, demographics, and networking opportunities can aid you in finding the right consultant.