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PODCAST

JSGC Podcast

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/

government

All Episodes

22:45

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/10/29

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.&...

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16:27

Geothermal Energy Bonus Episode

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/10/08

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...

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32:57

Geothermal Energy

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/10/01

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...

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21:07

Urban Search and Rescue in Pennsylvania

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/09/05

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...

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28:52

Independent Regulatory Review Commission

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/08/18

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...

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25:28

Agrivoltaics: Balancing Energy and Agriculture

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/07/02

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...

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27:02

Short-term Rentals

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/03/25

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...

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20:55

Police Use of Body-worn Cameras

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/03/03

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...

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25:06

Police Academy Training Standards

JSGC Podcast ·

2025/02/19

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...

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18:33

Women Veterans Healthcare

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/12/16

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, av...

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28:45

Broadband in Pennsylvania: A Five Year Retrospective

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/11/21

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...

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28:47

Voting Rights of the Formerly Incarcerated

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/10/17

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 Dep...

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19:34

Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services:...

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/08/06

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 Office...

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26:52

Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services:...

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/07/25

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 ...

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27:52

Nuclear Energy & Small Modular Reactors

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/05/09

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 ...

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21:49

School Truancy

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/04/25

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23:11

Snyder and Stairs: Higher Education Data Reporting

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/04/05

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28:28

Raising Fatherhood Involvement

JSGC Podcast ·

2024/02/01

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27:29

Advances in Diabetes Advocacy and Treatment

JSGC Podcast ·

2023/12/19

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16:08

Training Election Directors

JSGC Podcast ·

2023/11/14

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51 results

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