Joint State Government Commission

04/17/2026

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interviews Mary Fox, the executive director of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission. In addition to learning about Mary’s background, we discuss the duties and responsibilities of the Ethics Commission, the difference between the Ethics Act and gift bans, and what type of disclosure is required of public officials, employees, and lobbyists. We also discuss what happens during the investigation process if there has been an ethical violation by public officials or employees.

For more information or to learn about upcoming training opportunities, please visit the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission’s website. As an extra reminder to state public officials and employees, your annual statement of financial interest forms are due May 1st!

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interviews Mary Fox, the executive director of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission. In addition to learning about Mary’s background, we discuss the duties and responsibilities of the Ethics Commission, t...

03/27/2026

More from our report on AI:

In this episode, Bryan DeWalt interviews Allison Kobzowicz and Dr. Jae Wan Ahn to continue our series exploring AI. This time, we focus on its impact on education and criminal justice fields. For education, we discuss beneficial uses of generative AI in the classroom and proposed guidelines for its effective use. For criminal justice, we talk about how algorithm based tools like predictive policing and computer vision have shaped law enforcement for decades. This episode also addresses transparency and accountability measures to encourage the ethical development of generative AI. The content for this episode is based on the full report Artificial Intelligence: Advisory Committee Recommendations on the Adoption and Use of AI in Pennsylvania, available on the JSGC website.

The podcast is available on our Buzzsprout site,
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1400200/episodes/18918137
and everywhere fine podcasts are found.

In this episode, Bryan DeWalt interviews Allison Kobzowicz and Dr. Jae Wan Ahn to continue our series exploring AI. This time, we focus on its impact on education and criminal justice fields. For education, we discuss beneficial uses of generative...

03/16/2026

The latest in our series of podcasts about the new AI report has hit the airwaves.

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew continues our exploration of AI by focusing on its impact on two of Pennsylvania’s most important industries: agriculture and transportation. For agriculture, we discuss uses of precision agriculture, and rates of farmer adoption of technology within Pennsylvania. For transportation, we talk about self-driving vehicles as well as ways in which AI is helping to make transportation safer and more efficient. The content for this episode is based on the full report "Artificial Intelligence: Advisory Committee Recommendations on the Adoption and Use of AI in Pennsylvania," available on the JSGC website. https://jsg.legis.legis.state.pa.us

It's available at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1400200/episodes/18854205 and wherever fine podcasts are found.

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew continues our exploration of AI by focusing on its impact on two of Pennsylvania’s most important industries: agriculture and transportation. For agriculture, we discuss uses of precision agriculture, and rat...

02/24/2026

We are pleased to release the annual reports on higher education:

The 30th edition of "Information Disclosure of the State-related Universities, 2026" (commonly known as the Stairs report)– This report is a statistical comparison of the employment and salary, financial and contract data, and statements on retirement and tuition benefits, reported by Lincoln University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University.

The 53rd edition of "Instructional Output and Faculty Salary Costs of the State-related Universities, 2026" (commonly known as the Snyder report) – This report contains 2024-25 data from State-related universities. The Public School Code requires the universities to submit reports on faculty output and salary costs to the Appropriations and Education Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives. Act 50 of 2020 amended the Public School Code and PASSHE universities are no longer required to report.

The attached reports are also available on our website at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us .

01/30/2026

And here it is: The first podcast on the AI report.

In this episode, Glenn and Susan interview Yvonne Hursh, project manager of JSGC’s recently released report on AI. Among the topics discussed are an explanation of what AI is, aspects of AI that show promise or concern, how our Advisory Committee shaped our findings, federal and state attitudes on the regulation of AI, as well as AI applications in the field of health care field. The full report, Artificial Intelligence: Advisory Committee Recommendations on the Adoption and Use of AI in Pennsylvania, is available on the JSGC website. This episode is the first in a series exploring elements of our report on AI.

Listen on our Buzzsprout site https://www.buzzsprout.com/1400200/episodes/18596195
or on Spotify, Apple, Castro, Overcast, Google, and wherever fine podcasts are found.

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

In this episode, Glenn and Susan interview Yvonne Hursh, project manager of JSGC’s recently released report on AI. Among the topics discussed are an explanation of what AI is, aspects of AI that show promise or concern, how our Advisory Committee ...

01/28/2026

We are proud to release "Artificial Intelligence: Advisory Committee Recommendations on the Adoption and Use of AI in Pennsylvania."

This is a compendium of the science, law, regulation, and policy debate surrounding AI during the year 2025. This report presents the history of AI, discusses the different types of AI currently in use, and addresses how it is being applied. It looks at legislative and regulatory efforts from the perspective of the federal government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the 49 other states, plus some thoughts from the European Union.

The report covers sectors such as agriculture, education, elections, healthcare, manufacturing, government, law enforcement, and legal systems, as well as issues related to workforce and energy development. “Deepfakes,” the role of chatbots, and protection of children are explored as well.

The report is available on our site at https://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

11/25/2025

The Notable Document Award from the National Conference of State Legislatures for our report on Women Veterans Health Care in PA just arrived in the mail.

You can read our award winning report at https://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/publications.cfm?JSPU_PUBLN_ID=557

11/21/2025

Our newest podcast discusses Penn State's program that links top academic researchers with Pennsylvania state government policy making:

In this episode Glenn and Susan discuss the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Science and Technology Policy Program (COPA-STEP) with Patricia Gruver-Barr, the director of the program. We are also joined by Dr. Jae Wan Ahn, COPA-STEP’s inaugural fellow, who we are proud to announce was assigned to research here at JSGC! Together, we discuss how COPA-STEP is working to bring the science community and policy makers closer together, learn more about the origins and objectives behind the program, and how COPA-STEP will expand in the future.
Listen on our Buzz Sprout site https://www.buzzsprout.com/1400200/episodes/18230484 or wherever fine podcasts are found.

To learn more about the fellowship program, visit COPA-STEP’s Website: https://lpe.psu.edu/copa-step

Music by Joseph McDade. Visit us at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/

In this episode Glenn and Susan discuss the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Science and Technology Policy Program (COPA-STEP) with Patricia Gruver-Barr, the director of the program. We are also joined by Dr. Jae Wan Ahn, COPA-STEP’s inaugural fellow,...

10/29/2025

New podcast is just in time!

In recognition of October being American Archives Month, this episode features a discussion between the JSGC podcast crew and Taylor Mason, the Outreach Archivist from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Together, we discuss the background of the PA House Archives and how the history and files of the House are preserved. Other topics include the types of materials stored within the archives, research services, recent exhibits, and how archiving is changing in the digital age.

Please visit the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives website to explore digital exhibits, historical biographies, and digital collections.

For video content mentioned in this episode, visit the PA House Archives YouTube Channel for oral histories from Pennsylvania House of Representatives members, preservation tips, and spotlights on archived materials.

Music by Joseph McDade.

Hear the episode on our Buzzsprout site, on Spotify, Apple, Google, Overcast, Castro, and wherever find podcast are found.

In recognition of October being American Archives Month, this episode features a discussion between the JSGC podcast crew and Taylor Mason, the Outreach Archivist from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Together, we discuss the ba...

10/08/2025

As promised: The bonus track to the geothermal podcast!

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.

Listen on our Buzzsprout site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1400200/episodes/17978182 It can also be heard on Spotify, Apple, Overcast, Castro, Amazon, Google...wherever fine podcasts are found.

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 website.

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 c...

10/01/2025

Earlier today we posted a new podcast.

Now we give you a new report.

We're pleased to release "Election Law in Pennsylvania," the fifth annual report of the Election Law Advisory Board (Act 12 of 2020). This report includes:

• Updates on activities affecting the Board’s recommendations as proposed in its 2021, 2022, and 2023 annual reports, as well as the January 2023 report on mail-in ballots.
• A brief summary of legislation introduced both federally and in Pennsylvania during the current sessions of Congress and the General Assembly that would affect Pennsylvania elections.
• Updates regarding on-going litigation in Pennsylvania, new developments in the laws of other states, and Department of State activities relating to topics such as election audits, election administration, mail-in and absentee ballots, pre-canvassing, voter list maintenance, and voter registration.

It and over 400 other reports are available on our website: https://jsg.legis.state.pa.us.

10/01/2025

We're pleased to release the podcast "Geothermal Energy," which accompanies our report “Unearthing the Potential of Geothermal Energy Systems in Pennsylvania," published in August 2025.

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. The full report and a summary can be accessed on the JSGC website.

To learn more about this topic we recommend “The Future of Geothermal Energy in Pennsylvania” created in a partnership between Project Innerspace and universities throughout the state.

The JSGC would like to thank Swarthmore College, Kevin Sunday, Mike Korb, and Gale Blackmer for their assistance researching this report.

The podcast can be heard on our Buzzsprout site, https://www.buzzsprout.com/1400200/episodes/17938184 and wherever fine podcasts are found, including Amazon, Spotify, Apple, Google, Overcast, Castro, and many others.

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 ...