Brookings: Topics - Pennsylvania

What's at Stake for Pittsburgh? The G-20 Should Focus on What's Good for Cities

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pittsburgh's "new economy" may be the key reason for the city's star turn as host of the September 2009 G-20 summit. But Bruce Katz argues that the seemingly abstract, big-picture decisions made at the gathering have big implications for Pittsburgh’s “next economy” and for metropolitan areas across the nation.

Metro Philadelphia’s Energy Efficiency Strategy: Promoting Regionalism to Advance Recovery

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A new regional entity is coordinating five counties in a joint application for competitive Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants that calls for new retrofit loan financing, a technology deployment fund, technical assistance to local governments around energy efficiency plans, and energy performance measurement of public buildings.

Recent Immigration to Philadelphia: Regional Change in a Re-Emerging Gateway

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Immigration to metropolitan Philadelphia has been rising recently after several stagnant decades. This paper examines recent trends in immigration to the region with attention to the varied immigrant groups, the opportunities they bring, and the challenges for policymakers, service providers, and communities across the area. The report argues for the development of a Regional Council on Immigration to best address the needs of the area’s newcomers.

Land Banking as Metropolitan Policy

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A new Blueprint paper argues that the rising number of vacant and abandoned properties around the nation requires a more robust drive by the federal government to aid states and localities in land banking. The author, Frank Alexander of Emory University, recommends that federal policy should better capitalize local and regional land banking (the process or policy by which local governments acquire surplus properties and convert them to productive use), encourage code reform and regional collaboration.

Pennsylvania Speaks: The Democratic Contest Will Continue

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the Pennsylvania primary, Hillary Clinton won an overwhelming victory, writes senior fellow William Galston. These results have quieted calls for her to leave the race and will probably slow the steady flow of superdelegates to Obama. Nonetheless, her path to the nomination remains steep.

The Political Geography of Pennsylvania: Not Another Rust Belt State

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the first in a series of reports on the demographic and political dynamics under way in 10 “battleground” states that will be crucial in deciding the 2008 election, the authors examine the political geography of Pennsylvania to explore whether the state will become more Democratic, remain closely divided or even go Republican for the first time in five elections.

Pennsylvania Economic Revival Lies in its Metro Assets

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Katz and his colleagues in a recent opinion piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer urge the federal government to organize their current fragmented investments in transportation and innovation and targeting them where they will provide the greatest return, metropolitan America.

Obama Criticized for 'Bitter' Blue-Collar Remarks

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Visiting Fellow Ruy Teixeira and experts appear on NPR's Talk of the Nation to discuss the Pennsylvania primary and the working-class vote.

Metropolitan Pennsylvania

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:25:31 GMT

Pennsylvania’s 16 metropolitan areas have great economic potential. Amy Liu explains tha an effort has to be made to build upon those assets for the future of the Keystone state and the nation as a whole.

An Economic Plan for the Commonwealth: Unleashing the Assets of Metropolitan Pennsylvania

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In Pennsylvania, the next major presidential primary state, concerns about the economy loom large. A true federal economic agenda for the Commonwealth must empower state and local innovators to leverage the core assets of the nation's economy--innovation, infrastructure, human capital and quality places--where those assets are located: Pennsylvania’s many small and large metropolitan areas.

Philly's Many Walkable "Center Cities"

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Chris Leinberger comments that the Philidelphia metro area will no doubt see its "Walk Score" number grow, and ultimately become a major concentration of walkable urban places.

New Report Lays Out an Agenda To Revive Pennsylvania's Economy

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:08:39 GMT

A Profile of Pennsylvania

"The Vital Center": A Federal-State Compact to Renew the Great Lakes Region

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

John Austin provided Great Lakes regional economic context for a forum of Ohio and Pennsylvania business and civic leaders convened by Congressmen Jason Altmire (PA), and Tim Ryan (OH) to develop strategies for growing the bi-state regional economy.

Calling the Commonwealth: Revitalizing Pittsburgh

Sun, 27 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

State governments must get more involved and provide more support to revitalize cities like Pittsburgh

Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania

Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Like many Midwestern states, Pennsylvania is transitioning slowly from an industrial past to a knowledge economy. As it does so, the state's development patterns—slow growth, fast sprawl, struggling cities and older suburbs—undermines the state's competitive future.

Pennsylvania Must Speed Up Reforms to Prosper: Growth Remains Slow Despite Hint of Progress

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The authors argue that the same trends of slow growth, "hollowing" metropolitan and rural areas and deindustrialization that have gripped Pennsylvania for decades still do today and require urgent, possibly radical responses.

Committing to Prosperity: Moving Forward on the Agenda to Renew Pennsylvania

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

"Committing to Prosperity," an update of Metropolitan Policy Program's 2003 report "Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda to Renew Pennsylvania," revisits the state of the Commonwealth and reviews policy reform activity to date.

New Goals and Outcomes for Temporary Assistance: State Choices in the Decade after Enactment

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This analysis reviews spending decisions nationwide and in three states, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, under the Temporary Assistance program since its enactment in 1996.

Higher Education In Pennsylvania: A Competitive Asset For Communities

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation at the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities Annual Convention, Jennifer Vey describes how Pennsylvania's higher education institutions are a major competitive asset for the state and its localities.

Higher Education in Pennsylvania: A Competitive Asset for Communities

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation, Amy Liu describes why the high number of higher education institutions in the state of Pennsylvania is a competitive asset to the state and recommends ways the state can better leverage the role of higher ed as partners in achie

Higher Education in Pennsylvania: A Competitive Asset for Communities

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In this paper, Jennifer Vey surveys Pennsylvania's higher education landscape and its economic impact, proposing a number of policy approaches to boost town and gown collaboration.

Getting the Market Right for Working Families

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Katz testified before the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on the report he co-authored with Matt Fellowes, titled "The Price is Wrong: Getting the Market Right for Working Families in Philadelphia."

Pennsylvania Can't Afford 2 Economies

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Pennsylvania has two economies: one for families with middle and high incomes, and another for its low-wage families.

The Broader Context for Vacant Land

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In this speech to the Flint Land Bank Authority Forum, Bruce Katz presented how vacant land is a product of broad demographic, market, development, social and policy forces.

The Price Is Wrong (Philadelphia)

Mon, 04 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In their presentation, Bruce Katz and Matt Fellowes delve into the higher prices for everyday goods paid by working families, revealing what causes those costs, and recommending a number of policy approaches to make the market work better for low-income families.

The Price Is Wrong: Getting the Market Right for Working Families in Philadelphia

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

This report delves into the higher prices for everyday goods paid by working families, revealing what causes those costs, and recommending a number of policy approaches--such as reducing risks to business, giving consumers more marketplace information

One Year Later Change Is Happening in Pennsylvania

Sun, 19 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Pennsylvanians dont do reform, was the conventional wisdom when Brookings began working on its report Back to Prosperity. Two years later, and one after the reports publication, it seems they do do reform.

Pennsylvania's Housing Challenges

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation to the Pennsylvania Housing Forum, Bruce Katz reviews the state's demographic trends and housing challenges and explains how the two are interrelated.

One Year Later Scranton Epitomizes Change

Sun, 12 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

One year after the release of the Brookings report Back to Prosperity metropolitan Scranton / Wilkes-Barre seems well on its way.

Selling the Rust Belt Short

Sun, 08 Aug 2004 00:00:00 GMT

The presidential candidates should talk much more than they have about how boosting the education levels and quality-of-life of the Midwest's cities and metropolitan areas can renew the region's economy, write Bruce Katz and Mark Muro.

Greener Pastures: Rural, urban areas have common cause in fight to prosper

Sun, 02 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

In Pennsylvania, curbing sprawl, reinvesting in towns, and raising the quality of economic development answers to both rural and urban needs.

Philadelphia's Campaign For Working Families

Sun, 01 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT

This essay describes the efforts and strategies of Philadelphia's Campaign for Working Families to build and implement an outreach program to alert families to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Pittsburgh: The Road to Reform

Sun, 18 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT

The Pittsburgh region is a national leader in one area: too many little local governments. Bruce Katz and Mark Muro say there's only one place to seek help: Harrisburg.

Presentation of Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania

Tue, 09 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Katz illustrates stagnant growth, housing sprawl, and the increasing abandonment of Pennsylvania's cities and older suburbs--trends dimming the prospects for developing a high-wage economy in the state.

Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania

Mon, 08 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

This PowerPoint by Bruce Katz, presented to the Pennsylvania Economic League in Philadelphia, illustrates stagnant growth, housing sprawl, and the increasing abandonment of Pennsylvania's cities and older suburbs--trends dimming the prospects for dev

The Sprawl of the Wild: Now Is the Right Time To Revive Our Cities

Sun, 07 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

The time is right to revive Pennsylvania's cities, towns and older suburbs...starting with efficient land use and development.

Statewide Presentation of Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

This PowerPoint by Bruce Katz illustrates stagnant growth, housing sprawl, and the increasing abandonment of Pennsylvania's cities and older suburbs--trends dimming the prospects for developing a high-wage economy in the state.

Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

This report contends that the economic future of a major rust belt state depends on revitalizing its demographic mix and curbing some of the nation's most radical patterns of sprawl and abandonment.

Philadelphia in Focus: A Profile from Census 2000

Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Philadelphia in Focus: This Living Cities databook compiles key city information from Census 2000 in a "one-stop" guide for local leaders.

Feather Houstoun's Welfare Legacy

Wed, 12 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Margy Waller argues that federal welfare reauthorization should not undermine the legacy of success left by retiring Pennsylvania welfare secretary Feather Houstoun.

Building a Competitive Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Biotech Association

Wed, 10 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Building a Competitive Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Biotech Association

From Choice to Action: Pathway for the Next Mayor of Philadelphia

Sun, 07 Nov 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Joyce Ladner, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 7, 1999