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The Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) is the primary non-partisan public policy and statutory research organization that serves the Pennsylvania General Assembly. We issue reports on a wide variety of public policy topics. Our episodes feature staff discussions highlighting recently released reports. To learn more about us and access full reports, please visit our website: http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/
50 Episodes
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In this episode Bryan discusses geothermal energy applications with Lydia Ring, a policy intern for JSGC during the Summer of 2025. Among the topics discussed are the similarities between oil and gas extraction and geothermal electricity, cities creating thermal energy networks, and using geothermal heat pumps to cool data centers. This episode is based on "Unearthing the Potential for Geothermal Energy Systems in Pennsylvania," the full report and 1-page summary are available on the JSGC web...
In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interviewed Bryan DeWalt about geothermal energy opportunities within Pennsylvania. Topics covered include geothermal power plants, ground source heat pumps, and how the Commonwealth may be uniquely situated to benefit from our heritage as a coal mining state. This episode is based on “Unearthing the Potential of Geothermal Energy Systems in Pennsylvania” released in August of 2025. The full report and a summary can be accessed on the JSGC website. To le...
In this episode the JSGC podcast crew interviewed project manager Allison Kobzowicz and legal analyst John Brettler about Pennsylvania’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) resources. Topics covered in this episode include how many of USAR teams are present in Pennsylvania, what elements comprise them, their history, how they are funded, and recommendations for how this system might be improved. The content of this episode is based on “Assessment of the Commonwealth's Urban Search and Rescue Capab...
This episode focuses on one of our fellow state agencies, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). The JSGC podcast crew interviewed two guests from IRRC, Chairman George Bedwick and Executive Director David Sumner to learn more about them and to spotlight the important work done by this agency. Among the topics discussed are IRRC’s role in the lawmaking process, the history of the agency, the process of holding public meetings, and the importance of gathering feedback to shape re...
In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Yvonne Hursh and policy analyst Bryan DeWalt about the emerging practice of agrivoltaics, sometimes called dual-use solar. We discuss how solar panels can be combined with agricultural practices to protect Pennsylvania’s farmland, while increasing its productivity. The contents of this episode are based on "Agrivoltaic Farming in Pennsylvania," released in May of 2025. The full report and summary are available on the JSGC websit...
In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Yvonne Hursh about short-term rentals. We discuss what makes short-term rentals different from other types of housing, how they are affecting our communities, and the response of local governments within the Commonwealth. The content of this episode is based on The Short-term Rental Industry in Pennsylvania. A full report and summary are available on the JSGC website. Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.st...
In today’s episode, Susan and Glenn focus on police body-worn cameras. They discuss the many perceived benefits of their use for both civilians and law enforcement officers, as well as the current challenges of measuring the effectiveness of this technology. Staff Analyst Allison Kobzowicz joins us to speak on her experience creating and interpreting a survey on body-worn camera use and cost within Pennsylvania police departments. The content of this episode is based on Body-Worn Camera Foota...
In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Steve Kramer to discuss entry rates into Pennsylvania police academies, minimum training standards, and changes made to police recruitment in Philadelphia by Act 37 of 2023. The content of this episode is based on Minimum Eligibility Standards for Police Officer Training and Graduation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, released in December of 2024, which is available on the JSGC website. More information about MPOETC and thei...
Women have played a vital role in the U.S. military forces since its inception, but efforts to provide our female veterans quality healthcare from veterans affairs organizations has historically fallen short when compared their male counterparts. In recent decades, there have been federal and state efforts to improve the standards of health care for women veterans. In this episode Susan sits down with Alli, project manager of our Women Veterans Health Care report to discuss barriers, ...
In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew return to a topic we've covered multiple times in the past: the infrastructure and adoption of broadband internet within the commonwealth. Since 2020, JSGC has released five broadband reports which have charted Pennsylvania's progress toward widespread and affordable broadband adoption. With 2024 being the final year of this project, we decided to interview project manager Yvonne, as well as staffers Alli and Bryan, on what they've learned from working o...
In this episode, the JSGC Podcast team interviews Yvonne and Bryan about the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people and clear up confusion over who is eligible to vote in Pennsylvania. We also discuss barriers to voting, and what we learned from collecting data on the voting habits of people released from prisons. A full report as well as a summary are available here. For an overview of voting rights of current and former prisoners please see the following link from the Pennsylvania D...
In today’s episode, the JSGC podcast crew continues our discussion on disability services with Yvonne and Steve. Among the topics discussed include: the importance of transportation, post-secondary school transition plans, the difficultly in retaining direct service personnel, and reducing waiting lists for services. The content of this episode is based on the report “Services to Individuals with Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disability, or Autism Through the Pennsylvania Offic...
In Today’s episode, the JSGC podcast crew interviews Yvonne to discuss how Pennsylvania provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among the topics discussed include definitions of disability, how the troubled past of state-run institutions influences modern policy, and an explanation of Medicaid waivers. The content of this episode is based on the report “Services to Individuals with Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disability, or Autism Through...
In this episode, the JSGC podcast team interviews policy analyst Bryan DeWalt on the subject of nuclear technology in Pennsylvania. Among the topics discussed include an overview of how nuclear fission works, why nuclear power plants are difficult to build, and emerging alternatives to make nuclear power safer and more affordable. The content of this episode is based on the report "Benefits of Nuclear Energy and Development of Small Modular Reactors," released in February of 2024. This ...
Today the JSGC podcast team interviews Glenn Pasewicz, Susan Elder, and Allison Kobzowicz to discuss truancy in Pennsylvania schools. Among the topics discussed include important definitions, the penalties truant students face, and the changes brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Recommendations for reducing truancy in schools are also discussed. The content of this episode is based on the report "The Truancy Process: The Challenge of Improving Attendance in Pennsylvania Schools," re...
In this episode, the JSGC podcast team interviews Bryan DeWalt and Allison Kobzowicz about two of our reports relating to higher education transparency. These report are the "Instructional Output and Faculty Salary Costs of the State-related Universities" and "Information Disclosure of the State-related Universities" also known as the Snyder and Stairs reports. The Snyder report focuses on the cost to provide education and University performance metrics while the Stairs report centers...
In todays episode, the JSGC policy podcast team interviews Yvonne Hursh on the subject of Fatherhood. The contents of this episode are based on the report “Greater Father Involvement: Fostering Engagement of Fathers in Improving the Well-being of their Children"” released in January of 2024. The episode discusses the creation of a Fatherhood Involvement Institute, a permanent government body that would promote fatherhood and coordinate state approaches. The episode also covers potential...
In this episode, we return to our biannual topic of diabetes by interviewing Helen Khanzhina about advances in treatment and advocacy of the disease since 2021. The JSGC Policy Podcast previously covered diabetes in our 11th episode. In this episode, our conversation covers updated statistics, how state departments and advocacy groups work toward prevention and awareness of the disease, and recommendations on how Pennsylvania could improve Diabetes care. For more information see the full repo...
In this episode, the JSGC Podcast team convenes to discuss election reform, one of the Commission’s ongoing projects. Guest Yvonne Hursh returns to update listeners on new developments for the Election Law Advisory Board (ELAB) over the last year and proposals for training election directors within Pennsylvania. The content of this episode is based on “Election Law in Pennsylvania: Third Annual Report of the Election Law Advisory Board” published in August of 2023. Both the full report and a ...
In this episode the JSGC Podcast Team discusses recycling in Pennsylvania with project manager Grant Rosul. Among the topics discussed are challenges faced by communities that recycle, new ways of using recycled material, and recommendations for how to improve recycling throughout the Commonwealth. The content of this episode is based on the report “Recycling Strategies in Pennsylvania,” which was released in June of 2023. Both the full report and a summary are available on our website. Music...
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