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Josh Shapiro
48%
#26 of 50

Josh Shapiro

Pennsylvania D | 1st term
2023-01-17Took Office 3 yrs, 5 moIn Office 263Metrics Scored 794 / 1653Total Points

Section A: Governance

249/300
83%

Section B: State Outcomes

526/975
54%

Section C: Oath Fidelity

+19 (-378 to +378)

Section A — Governance 249/300

9 subsections evaluating executive performance: budget execution, legislative relations, appointments, emergency management, transparency, ethics, program management, federal relations, and constituent service.

On-time budget submission
Submitted FY2023-24 ($45.5B) and FY2024-25 ($47.6B) proposals on time. Signed FY2025-26 ($50.09B) budget into law. School voucher dispute delayed FY2023-24 completion but no government shutdown. Major improvement over Wolf-era budget impasses.
PA OB Budget Submission Records; PA Legislature Bill Tracking
3
Budget accuracy — revenue forecast vs actual
FY2024-25 General Fund revenue of $46.4B exceeded IFO estimates by $321M (0.7%). FY2023-24 collections also above projections. However, IFO projects structural deficit of $3.9B in FY2025-26 expanding to $8.4B by FY2029-30 without new revenue.
PA Independent Fiscal Office Revenue Estimates; PA Treasury Revenue Reports
2
Rainy day fund management
Rainy Day Fund hit record $7.04B after $737M deposit in FY2024-25 budget — covers 53.6 days of General Fund expenses, above 50-state median of 49.1 days. Built from near-zero a decade ago through bipartisan budgets. IFO warns fund could be depleted by FY2027-28 if used to cover structural deficit.
PA Treasury Rainy Day Fund Reports; IFO Fiscal Updates
3
State credit rating trajectory
Moody's upgraded PA from Aa3 to Aa2 in Oct 2024 — highest rating since 2013. Fitch upgraded to AA from AA-. S&P improved outlook to positive on A+ rating. All three agencies cite sound fiscal management and strong reserves. Bond refinancing saved taxpayers $71M+.
S&P Global Ratings — Pennsylvania; Moody's Aa3 Pennsylvania
2
Pension funding ratio trajectory
PSERS funded ratio rose to 66.6% (FY2025), up from 64.8%; net position grew 8.2% to $83.7B. Net pension liability fell 7% to $38.3B. SERS at ~69% funded. Both improving from ~50% historic lows. Employer contributions declining under Act 120 formula. Still significantly underfunded vs national avg.
SERS Actuarial Valuation 2024; PSERS Actuarial Report 2024; Act 120 of 2010
2
Debt per capita trajectory
PA debt per capita ~$5,872 (Reason Foundation 2025), including bonds (33%), unfunded pensions (35%), and OPEB liabilities (22%). Total long-term obligations driven by ~$17B OPEB debt and pension underfunding. Bond refinancing under Shapiro saved $71M+ for taxpayers.
PA Treasury Debt Reports; Census Population Estimates
2
CAFR/ACFR published on time
ACFR for FY ended June 30, 2024 published on schedule by Governor's Office of Comptroller Operations. FY2025 report also completed. Reports audited by independent auditors per GASB standards. Published online via PA Treasury OpenBookPA portal and OB website.
PA Comptroller ACFR Publication Records
2
Audit findings — material weaknesses
Auditor General Tim DeFoor (R) reports found no major material weaknesses unique to Shapiro's tenure. DOC budget exceeded projections by $30M in overtime costs due to staffing vacancies. Standard single audit findings; no suspended federal programs or major compliance failures.
PA Auditor General Reports 2023-2025
2
Federal grant fund accounting
Federal Single Audit completed without major suspended grants. PA received $7.3B in ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds — accounted for and deployed. IIJA highway/bridge formula funds ($4B+ over 5 years) properly tracked. CHIPS Act awards ($172M to Coherent/Infinera) administered correctly.
PA Single Audit Reports; USASpending.gov — Pennsylvania
2
Anti-fraud controls — federal programs
Pandemic-era UI fraud (under Wolf) was significant nationally. Shapiro administration modernized UC system — deployed ID.me verification kiosks, real-time status tracker, and encrypted Live Chat. Call wait times dropped from 1+ hours to under 10 minutes; $68M SIIF investment in system integrity in FY2024-25 budget.
DOL OIG Pandemic UI Reports; PA L&I Fraud Prevention Records
2
Tax revenue vs expenditure alignment
FY2024-25 revenue of $46.4B exceeded estimates by $321M. Budget surplus ~$10.6B projected by June 2025. However, IFO warns structural deficit of $3.9B in FY2025-26, expanding to $8.4B by FY2029-30 driven by DHS program costs. General Fund ending balance ~$3B expected to deplete next fiscal year without action.
PA IFO Monthly Revenue Reports; Budget Analysis
2
Capital budget execution rate
I-95 collapse repair (June 11-23, 2023) completed in 12 days using recycled foam glass aggregate — nationally praised. Permanent reconstruction finished May 2024. $97M Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home groundbreaking. PennDOT repaired 94 bridges and improved 508 roadway miles in SE PA alone (2023 season). IIJA capital draw-down on track.
PennDOT I-95 Repair Records; PA Capital Budget Status Reports
3
Vendor/contractor oversight
I-95 repair contractor mobilized within hours of disaster declaration — materials procured and temporary roadway built in 12 days. Emergency procurement bypassed normal timelines via disaster declaration. DGS procurement oversight maintained for standard contracts. EMD Electronics $300M semiconductor facility in Schuylkill County delivered on schedule.
PA DGS Procurement Records; PennDOT Contractor Records
3
Federal funding maximization
Secured $4B+ in IIJA highway/bridge formula funds over 5 years — PA ranks 5th nationally at $2.26B/yr. CHIPS Act: $172M to Coherent and Infinera for semiconductor manufacturing. I-95 emergency FHWA funding secured in days. FEMA assistance for I-95 and flood events. Total: $31.6B+ in private sector investment secured under Shapiro.
USASpending.gov — Pennsylvania; IIJA Formula Allocations; FHWA Emergency Records
3
Program eligibility verification systems
Medicaid unwinding managed effectively — 2M+ enrollees renewed, 848K disenrolled, 67K transitioned to Pennie marketplace plans. SAVE system used for federal benefits verification. DHS eligibility reviews completed with 71% retention rate in early rounds. Standard SNAP/TANF verification maintained.
PA DHS Program Integrity Reports; CMS Reviews — Pennsylvania
3
Signature legislation enacted
Signed only 210 laws through Nov 2024 — lowest since 2009-10, reflecting divided legislature (D House 102-101, R Senate 28-22). Key legislation: FY2024-25 $47.6B budget with historic $1.1B K-12 funding increase, SPEED Act permitting reform, $56.5M gun violence prevention. No minimum wage increase or marijuana legalization passed due to Senate R opposition.
PA Legislature Bill Tracking; Governor's Signing Records
2
Veto override rate
Zero vetoes overridden through 2025. R Senate (28-22) lacks two-thirds supermajority to override. Used line-item veto strategically on $100M school voucher provision from FY2023-24 budget deal. Veto power serves as effective leverage in divided government negotiations.
PA Legislature Journal; Governor's Veto Records
3
Bipartisan bills signed
Appointed Republican Al Schmidt as Secretary of the Commonwealth — a bipartisan signal praised by both parties. FY2024-25 budget passed with bipartisan support (117-86 in House, including ~15 Republicans). Infrastructure and public safety measures drew cross-aisle votes. SPEED Act permitting reform had bipartisan backing.
PA Legislature Vote Records 2023-2025
3
Special sessions called
No special sessions called through 2025. Used executive orders instead for urgent priorities — EO 2023-08 (CODE PA digital services), EO 2024-02 (gun violence prevention office), EO 2024-04 (PA Permit Fast Track). Legislature operated on standard session calendar despite divided control.
PA Governor's Office; Legislature Session Records
2
Executive orders — legal challenges
Executive orders on permitting reform (EO 2023, EO 2024-04), CODE PA digital services (EO 2023-08), and gun violence prevention (EO 2024-02) all withstood scrutiny. No EOs struck down by courts. Criminal referral in East Palestine derailment upheld. Former AG experience guides legally defensible executive actions.
Court Records — Pennsylvania; Governor's Executive Orders
2
Line-item veto usage
Line-item vetoed $100M school voucher program from FY2023-24 budget after initially appearing to support it in Senate negotiations. Veto enabled House D passage (117-86) but triggered 6-month Senate R impasse over perceived betrayal. Strategic use of line-item veto power but politically costly.
PA Constitution; Governor's Veto Records
2
Regulatory burden change
PA Permit Fast Track (EO 2024-04) created public dashboard tracking permit progress. Dept. of State cut business filing times from weeks to 1 day. DEP launched Permit Tracker (Jan 2025). PAyback program: agencies refund fees if they miss guaranteed processing deadlines. SPEED Act allows private DEP-verified professionals to conduct initial permit reviews.
PA IRRC Annual Reports; Permit Reform Initiative
2
Budget negotiation success
FY2023-24 ($45.5B) signed Aug 3, 2023 after school voucher impasse — no shutdown but 6-month Senate delay on code bills. FY2024-25 ($47.6B) signed July 11, 2024 with bipartisan support. FY2025-26 ($50.09B) completed. Each budget included negotiated compromises with R Senate (28-22) and slim D House majority (102-101).
PA OB Budget Timeline; Legislature Calendar
2
Bill signing rate on popular legislation
Signed FY2024-25 budget with $1.1B historic K-12 education funding increase and $526M new adequacy formula. $56.5M for gun violence prevention. $175M first-ever investment in public school building repairs. I-95 rapid repair generated universal bipartisan praise. Ghost gun bill passed House but stalled in R Senate.
PA Legislature Records; Governor's Signing Statements
2
Legislative relationship
Functional but strained relationship with divided legislature (D House 102-101, R Senate 28-22). School voucher veto triggered 6-month R Senate impasse on budget code bills. Teachers' unions pressured him to abandon voucher support. Some D critics say too conciliatory. Budget deals still got done — 3 bipartisan budgets signed in 3 years. Policymaking slowed to a crawl per analysis.
PA Legislature Records; Leadership Communications
2
Implementation of voter-approved measures
PA constitutional amendments implemented as required. Commonwealth Court's Feb 2023 ruling in William Penn School District v. PA (school funding unconstitutional) being addressed — $500M initial remediation in FY2024-25, 7-9 year plan to address $4.5B+ adequacy gap. Legislature extended timeline to 9 years at Senate R insistence.
PA Secretary of Commonwealth; Ballot Question Implementation Records
2
Task force follow-through
PA Office of Gun Violence Prevention re-established via EO 2024-02 under Lt. Gov. Davis at PCCD — $56.5M allocated. Workforce Development Board reconstituted with diverse appointees. Permit reform task force delivered PAyback money-back guarantee (Nov 2023) and Permit Fast Track dashboard. East Palestine response: Norfolk Southern pledged $6.4M+ for PA communities after Shapiro pressure.
Governor's Task Force Reports; PA DCED
2
Policy reversals under pressure
Education Sec. told Senate Shapiro would support vouchers; Shapiro appeared on Fox News backing them. Then reversed — promised House D he would line-item veto $100M voucher provision. Commonwealth Partners CEO called it betrayal of kids in failing schools. Voucher flip most significant reversal. VP shortlist consideration (2024) then withdrawal was not a reversal — Harris chose Walz.
Budget Negotiation Records; Governor's Statements on Vouchers
2
Appointee criminal/ethics issues
No criminal or ethics issues with any Shapiro cabinet appointees through 2025. Clean transition from Wolf administration. Former AG background informs rigorous vetting standards. Bipartisan cabinet including Republican Al Schmidt as Secretary of Commonwealth faced no ethical challenges.
PA Ethics Commission; Court Records
3
Agency head vacancy rate
All major cabinet positions filled within first weeks — full slate of 22+ nominees announced promptly. Inspector General appointed. Secretary of General Services nominated. Adjutant General Mark Schindler served until retirement in 2024, replaced smoothly. Some DOC corrections officer vacancies persist (~779 unfilled, 8% vacancy rate).
Governor's Office Appointment Records — Pennsylvania
2
State employee turnover
Smooth transition from Wolf administration — no mass exodus of career staff. AFSCME Council 13 ratified 4-year contract (2023-2027) covering ~27,000 employees (48% of governor's workforce) with 20.25% cumulative wage increases. Retroactive pay from July 2023 addressed retention. DOC staffing challenges remain — $30M overtime overrun from vacancies.
PA OA HR Reports; State Employee Data
3
Diversity of appointments
First Jewish governor of PA. Historically diverse bipartisan cabinet — Joseph Lee first East Asian-descent cabinet member in state history. Republican Al Schmidt appointed Secretary of Commonwealth. Khalid Mumin as Education Sec., Dr. Debra Bogen as Health Sec., Dr. Valerie Arkoosh as DHS Sec. Cabinet lauded by both parties as 'a breath of fresh air.'
Governor's Office Appointment Records
3
Judicial appointment quality
PA elects most judges but governor fills interim vacancies. Judicial appointments rated qualified by PA Bar Association. Former AG background provides deep understanding of judicial qualifications. No controversial or unqualified judicial appointments documented through 2025.
PA Bar Association Judicial Evaluations
2
State workforce pay competitiveness
AFSCME Council 13 contract (2023-2027): 20.25% total wage increases over 4 years (22.1% compounded), covering 27,000 employees. Employer healthcare contribution up 28%. Retroactive pay to July 2023. Expanded vacation buyback and meal allowances. Addresses chronic pay gap vs private sector, though DOC still struggles with corrections officer recruitment.
PA OA Compensation Reports; BLS OES Pennsylvania Data
2
Whistleblower protection
No documented whistleblower retaliation under Shapiro administration. As AG (2017-2023), Shapiro built credibility by pursuing the Catholic Church grand jury and public corruption cases. Whistleblower Protection Act (Act 169 of 1986) enforced. Inspector General office operated independently.
PA Inspector General Reports; Ethics Commission
3
Inspector General independence
PA Inspector General appointed early in Shapiro's term and operated independently. IG investigations proceeded without documented executive interference. Auditor General Tim DeFoor (Republican) maintained separate oversight function. No conflict between governor's office and independent oversight entities documented.
PA Inspector General Annual Reports
2
State employee morale
No systemic morale crisis. AFSCME 4-year contract with 20.25% raises and expanded benefits improved labor relations. DOC remains challenging — 8% vacancy rate, $30M overtime overrun, aging inmate population requiring more medical care. UC system staff morale improved after call wait times dropped from 1+ hours to under 10 minutes.
PA OA Employee Survey Data
2
Nepotism/cronyism
No documented nepotism or cronyism. Cabinet selections based on qualifications and diversity — including Republican Al Schmidt (Secretary of Commonwealth) and career professionals like Dr. Debra Bogen (Health) and Dr. Valerie Arkoosh (DHS). Ethics Commission records show no nepotism complaints filed.
PA Ethics Commission Records
3
Senior staff criminal charges
No senior staff or cabinet members charged with crimes through 2025. Clean administration record. Former AG background and law enforcement experience set high standards for staff conduct. No investigations of senior officials by Ethics Commission or law enforcement documented.
Court Records — Pennsylvania
3
Agency performance accountability
PennDOT I-95 repair named America's Transportation Awards finalist. PennDOT repaired 94 bridges, improved 508 roadway miles in SE PA (2023). UC system: call wait times dropped 75% to under 10 minutes. CODE PA transformed PA.gov with human-centered digital design. Dept. of State cut business filing from weeks to 1 day. DMVA helped veterans secure $1B+ in benefits two consecutive years.
PennDOT Reports; Agency Performance Reviews
2
Disaster declaration timeliness
Issued disaster emergency proclamation for Philadelphia County within hours of I-95 collapse (June 11, 2023), enabling immediate demolition and contractor mobilization. Timely declarations for flooding events. East Palestine train derailment (Feb 3, 2023): PA response activated same day despite being an Ohio incident — PEMA launched derailment dashboard for PA residents.
PA Governor's Emergency Declarations; Executive Order Timeline
3
FEMA Public Assistance secured
FEMA and FHWA emergency funding for I-95 secured within days of collapse. East Palestine: pressured Norfolk Southern into pledging $5M for fire departments, $1M for Beaver/Lawrence County damages, $1.4M additional — plus criminal referral filed against company. FEMA Public Assistance obtained for multiple flooding events in 2023-2024.
FEMA PA Records — Pennsylvania 2023-2025; I-95 Emergency Funding
3
Emergency reserve adequacy
Rainy Day Fund at record $7.04B — covers 53.6 days of General Fund expenses, above 50-state median (49.1 days). $737M deposit in FY2024-25 budget. Provides strong emergency financial cushion. IFO warns reserves could be needed for structural deficit, but currently among strongest state reserve positions nationally.
PA Treasury Reserve Reports
3
Lives lost — preventable from state failure
I-95 collapse (June 11, 2023): only the tanker driver died — zero civilian casualties despite collapse of major interstate overpass in densely populated NE Philadelphia. No preventable deaths from state emergency response failures. East Palestine derailment: PA residents protected through rapid air/water monitoring. Opioid deaths remain high (~4,719 in 2023) but are a pre-existing crisis, not state failure.
PennDOT I-95 Incident Records; PA Emergency Management
3
Post-disaster recovery
I-95 reopened June 23, 2023 — 12 days after tanker fire collapsed overpass on nation's busiest interstate corridor. Used innovative recycled foam glass aggregate fill. Experts predicted months; Shapiro delivered in days. Permanent reconstruction completed May 23, 2024. Named America's Transportation Awards finalist. CNN, NBC, and national media praised as model emergency response.
PennDOT I-95 Repair Timeline; FHWA Records
3
Public health emergency response
PA recorded 4,719 overdose deaths in 2023 — 83% opioid-related, 77% involving fentanyl. One Pennsylvanian died every 2 hours from overdose. Philadelphia alone: 1,315 OD deaths (2023). Xylazine-involved deaths increased 22-fold (2018-2023). Fentanyl task force active. Some 2024 county-level declines (Fayette Co. down 48%). $56.5M gun violence/public safety budget investment.
PA DOH Reports; CDC WONDER — PA Overdose Data
2
Infrastructure failure prevention
I-95 collapse caused by external tanker truck fire, not state maintenance failure. PA has 2,835 bridges in poor condition (13%, down from 23% in 2013) — 6th highest share nationally but improving. PennDOT repaired/replaced 94 bridges in SE PA in 2023. $4B+ IIJA bridge formula funding over 5 years targeting deficient bridges. PennDOT Pathways program reforming transportation funding model.
PennDOT Bridge Inspection Records; NTSB Records
2
National Guard deployment appropriateness
Standard National Guard deployments — no controversial or politicized use. DMVA serves 700,000 PA veterans. Adjutant General Mark Schindler retired 2024 after decades of service; smooth succession. Guard supported I-95 emergency coordination and natural disaster response as needed.
PA Military Department Records
3
Emergency communication
Shapiro personally present at I-95 site from Day 1, providing daily updates with PennDOT Sec. Carroll. Set clear timeline expectations — told public 'months' initially, then delivered in 12 days. East Palestine: PEMA launched online dashboard with air/water quality data for PA residents. Regular press conferences — highly accessible to media. FiveThirtyEight called it a 'political win through competence.'
Governor's Office Press Records; I-95 Update Schedule
3
Interagency coordination
I-95 repair: PennDOT, FHWA, City of Philadelphia, local contractors, and recycled materials suppliers coordinated under disaster declaration to reopen 6 lanes in 12 days. East Palestine: PEMA, DEP, DOH, and AG coordinated cross-border response with Ohio within hours. Shapiro's criminal referral against Norfolk Southern was unique among governors. Named Transportation Awards finalist for interagency coordination.
PennDOT After-Action Report; FHWA Records
3
Pandemic response metrics
Shapiro took office Jan 2023, post-pandemic emergency. COVID no longer a declared emergency during his tenure. Opioid/fentanyl crisis is primary ongoing public health emergency — 4,719 OD deaths in 2023. Medicaid unwinding managed without mass coverage disruption: 2M+ renewals, 67K transitioned to marketplace. No pandemic-related executive overreach controversies.
CDC COVID Data Tracker — Pennsylvania
2
Disaster preparedness & emergency infrastructure
PA faces floods, severe weather, winter storms, and hazmat risks. I-95 rapid repair demonstrated exceptional emergency infrastructure capability. $7.04B Rainy Day Fund provides strong financial preparedness. Bridge deficiency declining (23% to 13% since 2013). PEMA coordination proven effective during I-95 and East Palestine incidents. Broadband expansion underway for rural emergency communications.
PA PEMA
2
FOIA/open records compliance
PA Right-to-Know Law compliance standard but with criticism: Office of Open Records ruled Shapiro does not have to share daily schedule details — rolling back Wolf-era transparency practice. RTK appeals hit record 3,970 in 2025 (23% increase). Agencies have 5-day response window with 30-day extension option. Shapiro admin subpoenaed over records on use of public funds for governor's home upgrades.
PA OOR Decisions; Court Records
2
Governor's schedule availability
Public schedule posted on PA.gov events calendar. However, Spotlight PA reported Shapiro keeps daily schedule details secret — Office of Open Records sided with governor, breaking from Wolf's practice of sharing detailed daily calendar. Appeared on 26+ podcasts in 2025 alone. Busy public appearance schedule at football games, NASCAR, and concerts.
Governor's Office Website — Pennsylvania
2
Campaign finance compliance
No campaign finance violations documented. Won 2022 race with $56M+ raised — largest in PA gubernatorial history. All filings compliant with PA Department of State campaign finance requirements. As AG, prosecuted political corruption cases, establishing credibility on campaign finance compliance. 2026 reelection bid launched cleanly.
PA DOS Campaign Finance Records
3
Financial disclosure
Financial disclosures filed as required with PA Ethics Commission. Former AG (2017-2023) — accustomed to stringent ethics reporting requirements. Luxury hotel spending by administration drew media questions but no violations found. Governor's residence upgrade expenses faced RTK subpoena but disclosures themselves filed on time.
PA Ethics Commission Financial Disclosure Records
2
Open meetings compliance
Standard Sunshine Act (Act 84 of 1986) compliance — no documented violations by Shapiro administration. PA Board of Pardons, IRRC, and other public bodies operated under open meetings requirements. Office of Open Records handled open meetings appeals. No major closed-door governance complaints filed.
PA OOR Open Meetings Decisions
3
Open data portal
data.pa.gov portal expanded under Shapiro — datasets offered free and unrestricted. CODE PA (EO 2023-08) created Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience to overhaul PA.gov with human-centered design. PA Treasury's OpenBookPA provides fiscal health dashboards including debt, rainy day fund, and ACFR data. Won NASCIO innovation award for open data program.
data.pa.gov
2
Budget transparency
Budget documents published online by Office of Budget at pa.gov/budget. FY2024-25 ($47.6B) and FY2025-26 ($50.09B) proposals publicly available with line-item detail. Independent Fiscal Office provides parallel revenue estimates and five-year outlook reports. PA Treasury OpenBookPA portal shows real-time fiscal health metrics.
PA OB Budget Publications
2
Lobbying disclosure
PA lobbying disclosure law requires registration and quarterly expense reporting through PA Ethics Commission. Lobbyist disclosures publicly searchable. As AG, Shapiro prosecuted public corruption cases (e.g., Bedford County DA William Higgins). No changes to lobbying disclosure framework under his governorship — existing rules maintained.
PA Ethics Commission Lobbying Records
3
IG report publication
Inspector General reports published on PA IG website. Auditor General Tim DeFoor (R) publishes audit reports independently at paauditor.gov. Both offices maintained public reporting without interference from governor's office. IG and AG reports available online for public review, including PSERS/SERS pension audits and agency performance reviews.
PA IG Website; PA Auditor General Website
2
Legislative audit cooperation
Standard cooperation with Republican Auditor General Tim DeFoor. No documented obstruction of legislative audits or fiscal reviews. IFO operates independently and published structural deficit warnings that contradicted Shapiro's budget optimism — office not hindered from publishing critical analysis.
PA Auditor General Records
3
Press conference accessibility
Highly accessible to press — regular press conferences, 26+ podcast appearances in 2025 alone spanning politics, sports, and pop culture. I-95 daily briefings with PennDOT Secretary set gold standard for emergency media access. Appeared at high-profile public events (football games, NASCAR, concerts). Active media presence contributed to 61% approval rating.
Governor's Office Media Schedule
3
State contract transparency
State contracts searchable through PA DGS procurement system and PA Treasury OpenBookPA. I-95 emergency contractor mobilized under disaster declaration with expedited but documented procurement. PA Permit Fast Track dashboard adds transparency to regulatory process. $31.6B+ in secured private investments tracked publicly.
PA DGS Procurement Records
3
Court order compliance
Complied with Commonwealth Court's Feb 2023 ruling in William Penn School District v. PA — acknowledged school funding unconstitutional, committed $500M initial remedy and 7-9 year adequacy plan. Did not appeal the ruling. As AG, Shapiro argued before PA Supreme Court to release Catholic Church grand jury report — established precedent of court order compliance.
Court Records — Pennsylvania
2
Personal criminal charges
No criminal charges ever. Served as AG (2017-2023) with clean personal record. As AG, prosecuted clergy abuse (300+ priests, 1,000+ victims in 2018 grand jury report), public corruption, and consumer fraud cases. Former state representative (2005-2012) and Montgomery County Commissioner (2012-2017) — no criminal issues at any level.
Court Records; DOJ
3
Ethics complaints — substantiated
No substantiated ethics complaints filed with PA Ethics Commission against Shapiro as governor. Media scrutiny of luxury hotel spending and governor's residence upgrades but no formal ethics findings. As AG, maintained clean ethics record through two terms prosecuting corruption cases.
PA Ethics Commission Records
3
Gift/travel disclosure
Gift and travel disclosures filed with PA Ethics Commission as required. Media reported on luxury hotel stays charged to taxpayers and governor's residence upgrade costs — prompted RTK subpoena for records. No formal violations found but transparency questions raised. Travel related to I-95 response and statewide events well-documented.
PA Ethics Commission Records
2
Conflict of interest
No documented conflicts of interest. Financial disclosures show no problematic holdings. As AG, recused from cases involving campaign donors when appropriate. No business interests conflicting with gubernatorial duties. Ethics Commission records clean. Transition from AG to governor involved proper divestiture of case responsibilities.
PA Ethics Commission; Financial Disclosure Records
3
State resources for political purposes
No documented misuse of state resources. VP consideration (Aug 2024) raised questions — completed vetting process, interviewed at Naval Observatory, but Harris chose Walz. Critics argued national profile-raising diverted attention, but no state resources used for VP pursuit. Subsequently became top Democratic campaign surrogate nationally in fall 2024 without state resource misuse.
PA Ethics Commission Records
3
Truthfulness in official statements
Generally truthful in official statements. School voucher position drew most scrutiny — appeared to support vouchers on Fox News, then reversed to veto. Spotlight PA noted his memoir omits key details about Catholic Church probe and legislative reform efforts. I-95 communications praised for accuracy. No major documented falsehoods in policy statements.
Governor's Office Public Statements
2
Protection of ethics infrastructure
PA Ethics Commission authority maintained — no attempts to weaken enforcement powers. Office of Open Records funded and operational (record 3,970 appeals in 2025). Inspector General and Auditor General independence preserved. As AG, Shapiro strengthened ethics enforcement through corruption prosecutions. No legislative proposals to weaken ethics infrastructure.
PA Ethics Commission Budget Records
2
Emoluments/self-dealing
No documented self-dealing or emoluments violations. Governor's residence upgrade costs drew media inquiry and RTK subpoena but no self-dealing finding. Financial disclosures show no business interests benefiting from state contracts or policy decisions. Clean record across all prior offices (state rep, county commissioner, AG).
PA Ethics Commission Financial Disclosures
3
Campaign donor to state contract pipeline
No documented donor-to-contract pipeline despite raising $56M+ for 2022 gubernatorial race (largest in PA history). I-95 emergency contractor selection based on capability and availability under disaster declaration. $31.6B in secured private investment driven by permit reform and economic development strategy, not donor relationships.
PA Ethics Commission; DOS Campaign Finance Records
3
Foreign influence
No foreign influence concerns documented. FARA database shows no registrations connected to Shapiro. VP vetting process (2024) by Harris campaign found no foreign influence issues. As AG, prosecuted consumer fraud including foreign-connected schemes. International semiconductor investments (CHIPS Act) properly structured through federal framework.
DOJ FARA Database
3
Sexual harassment claims
No sexual harassment claims filed against governor's office or senior staff through 2025. As AG, Shapiro's office handled sexual misconduct cases including Catholic Church grand jury (300+ priests, 1,000+ victims). Clean workplace conduct record across all levels of administration.
PA OA HR Records
3
Records preservation
No documented records destruction. PA State Archives records retention policies followed. Daily schedule transparency reduced vs Wolf era (OOR ruled Shapiro not required to share detailed calendar) but records themselves preserved. As AG, fought PA Supreme Court to release full Catholic Church grand jury report — demonstrating commitment to records preservation.
PA State Archives Records Retention
3
Revolving door
No major revolving door violations documented. Cabinet selections drew from public service, nonprofit, and bipartisan backgrounds — Al Schmidt from Committee of Seventy (good-government nonprofit), Dr. Arkoosh from county government. No controversies over appointees immediately joining private sector firms with state contracts after departure.
PA Ethics Commission Records
3
Fraud losses in state programs
No major new fraud losses under Shapiro. Pandemic-era UC fraud (under Wolf) contained through system modernization — ID.me verification kiosks deployed, encrypted Live Chat system with natural language understanding launched. $68M SIIF investment in FY2024-25 for UC system integrity. Call attempts dropped 75% and wait times fell to under 10 minutes, reducing fraud vulnerability.
PA Auditor General Reports; DOL OIG
3
Program integrity — eligibility verification
Medicaid unwinding (2023-2024): 2M+ enrollees renewed, 848K disenrolled, 67K transitioned to Pennie marketplace. 71% retention rate in early rounds. SAVE system for federal benefits. HealthChoices managed care serving 2.2M+ enrollees. DHS maintains standard SNAP/TANF/CHIP eligibility verification without major compliance issues.
PA DHS Program Integrity; CMS Reviews — Pennsylvania
3
IT system modernization
CODE PA (EO 2023-08) created Office of Digital Experience — redesigned PA.gov with human-centered design. UC system: call wait times from 1+ hours to under 10 minutes, email responses under 24 hours. UC Live Chat with AI/NLU launched 24/7. PennDOT: 40+ forms available online, 23 driver license centers renovated. PAyback: first-in-nation money-back guarantee for permit delays.
PA OA IT Reports; L&I System Performance
2
Permit processing timeliness
PA Permit Fast Track (EO 2024-04): public-facing dashboard tracks permit progress and timelines. Dept. of State cut business filing processing from several weeks to 1 day. DEP Permit Tracker launched Jan 2025. SPEED Act: applicants can choose private DEP-verified professionals for initial review. PAyback program refunds fees if deadlines missed. Permit reform helped win $20B Amazon AI campus investment.
PA DEP Permit Data; DCED Reports
2
Child welfare system
PA operates county-administered, state-supervised child welfare system — nearly 3,000 caseworkers across 67 counties. CFSR Round 3 onsite review (2017) with ongoing Program Improvement Plan monitoring. Round 4 preparation underway for 2026. DHS released 2024 Annual Child Protective Services Report. Standard federal compliance — no federal takeover threats.
ACF CFSR Results — Pennsylvania; PA DHS Child Welfare Data
2
Medicaid program management
Medicaid unwinding: enrollment dropped from 3.7M (April 2023) to under 3.2M (March 2024) — 848K disenrolled, 2M+ renewed, 67K transitioned to Pennie marketplace. 15-16% terminated for procedural (paperwork) reasons, not ineligibility. HealthChoices managed care serves 2.2M+ enrollees. DHS Medicaid budget is largest driver of structural deficit per IFO projections.
CMS Medicaid Reviews — Pennsylvania; PA DHS Enrollment Data
3
Environmental program
DEP programs meeting EPA standards. DEP Permit Tracker launched Jan 2025 for transparency. SPEED Act allows private DEP-verified professionals for initial permit review — balancing environmental protection with business efficiency. East Palestine response demonstrated DEP air/water monitoring capability. PA natural gas production continues (top 2 nationally) with DEP oversight.
EPA State Program Evaluations — Pennsylvania; PA DEP Reports
2
Transportation project delivery
I-95 repair in 12 days — named America's Transportation Awards finalist. Permanent reconstruction completed May 2024 (under 1 year). PennDOT repaired/replaced 94 bridges and improved 508 roadway miles in SE PA (2023 season alone). PA ranks 5th nationally in IIJA highway funding ($2.26B/yr). Bridge deficiency rate declined from 23% (2013) to 13% (2024). PennDOT Pathways program reforming funding.
PennDOT Annual Reports; I-95 Repair Records
3
Unemployment insurance system
UC system transformed: call wait times from 1+ hours to under 10 minutes (lowest in 6+ years). Call attempts dropped 75% (from 11.2 to 2.8). Email responses under 24 hours. 106,000+ workers received in-person support. Secure Live Chat with NLU launched 24/7. ID.me verification kiosks deployed. $68M SIIF investment in FY2024-25 budget for continued modernization.
PA L&I Reports; DOL UI Performance Data — Pennsylvania
2
Veterans services
DMVA serves 700,000 PA veterans. Helped veterans secure $1B+ in earned compensation and pension benefits for two consecutive years. $97M groundbreaking for new 200-bed Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home long-term care building (slated completion 2025). $1.9M invested in Veterans Employment Program workforce development. Won national award for veteran advocacy.
PA DMVA Annual Reports; VA State Grant Data
2
Housing program effectiveness
PA median home price $298,400 (2024, up 7.3% YoY) — well below coastal states. Pittsburgh median $228,400 (highly affordable). Philadelphia condos ~$340K+. PA Housing Action Plan addresses affordability through eviction prevention and fair housing enforcement. Housing instability rising in urban/suburban/rural areas. No severe housing crisis vs CA/NY but lower-income households struggling statewide.
HUD Annual Homeless Assessment — Pennsylvania; Census ACS Housing Data
2
Corrections system
DOC population ~36,000-40,000, down 26.5% from 2011 peak of 45,000+, though rising modestly since 2022. DOC budget ~$3.3B despite population decline — costs driven by 8% staff vacancy rate, $30M overtime overrun, and aging inmates needing more medical care. Two facilities closed. Prison ID reform (HB 1601) passed House 102-99 but stalled in R Senate. No federal intervention required.
PA DOC Population Reports; BJS NPS — Pennsylvania
2
Federal funding captured
Secured $31.6B+ in private sector investment, creating 16,700+ new jobs. PA ranks 5th nationally in IIJA highway funding ($2.26B/yr, $4B+ over 5 years). CHIPS Act: $172M to Coherent/Infinera for semiconductor manufacturing, $300M EMD Electronics investment. $20B Amazon AI campus — largest private investment in PA history. I-95 FHWA emergency funds secured in days.
USASpending.gov — Pennsylvania; IIJA Formula Allocations; FHWA Records
3
Federal corrective action plans
No major federal corrective actions outstanding against PA agencies. Medicaid unwinding completed per CMS guidelines. CFSR Round 3 Program Improvement Plan progressing with Round 4 prep for 2026. EPA satisfied with DEP program operations. No FHWA corrective actions despite highest bridge repair workload nationally. ARPA funds expended within federal guidelines.
Federal Program Reviews — Pennsylvania
3
Interstate cooperation
I-95 repair involved multi-state corridor coordination (I-95 serves ME to FL). East Palestine response: coordinated cross-border with Ohio Gov. DeWine, filed criminal referral against Norfolk Southern — more aggressive than Ohio's response. Active in I-95 Corridor Coalition and regional energy/environmental initiatives. Interstate compact obligations met.
Interstate Compact Records; I-95 Corridor Coalition
3
Local government relations
Functional but complex local government relations. Coordinated with Philadelphia on I-95 repair and gun violence prevention ($56.5M budget allocation). Some tension over Philadelphia sanctuary policies and school funding distribution formula. Pittsburgh relations stable. Rural areas benefit from $1.1B education funding increase through new adequacy formula. $5M went to speaker's home district — drew scrutiny.
PA Local Government Records; Philadelphia-State Relations
2
Federal litigation costs
Former AG (2017-2023) brings strategic litigation expertise — reduces unnecessary federal litigation costs. East Palestine criminal referral against Norfolk Southern was cost-effective enforcement. PA not party to major costly federal lawsuits challenging administration policies. Bond refinancing saved $71M+ — partially offsetting any litigation costs. AG Michelle Henry (Shapiro appointee) continued strategic approach.
PA AG Litigation Records; Budget Legal Line Items
2
Constituent inquiry response
Governor's office constituent services maintained standard response times. UC system transformation: call wait times dropped from 1+ hours to under 10 minutes, email responses under 24 hours. PennDOT: 40+ forms available online, 23 license centers renovated. CODE PA redesigned PA.gov for human-centered digital experience. PAyback guarantees refund if permit processing deadlines missed.
Governor's Office Internal Metrics
3
Town halls held
Active statewide presence — appeared at football games, NASCAR races, concerts, and community events across PA. 26+ podcast appearances in 2025 spanning politics, sports, and pop culture. Launched 2026 reelection with Pittsburgh and Philadelphia events. One of most sought-after Democratic surrogates nationally in 2024 cycle. Travels extensively but no formal town hall series documented.
Governor's Office Schedule
2
Constituent satisfaction
Morning Consult: 61% approve / 27% disapprove — 9th most popular governor nationally (2025). Quinnipiac: 60% job approval (Oct 2025). Consistently above 59% since I-95 response. Won 2022 with 56.5% (largest non-incumbent margin since 1946, most votes ever for PA governor at 3M+). Bipartisan appeal in crucial swing state. 2028 presidential speculation widespread.
Morning Consult Governor Approval — Pennsylvania; PA Poll Data
3
ADA compliance
Standard ADA compliance across state services. CODE PA's PA.gov redesign prioritized accessibility for all Pennsylvanians. PennDOT renovated 23 driver license centers with updated accessibility features. UC system improvements (Live Chat, online forms) expanded access for disabled residents. No DOJ ADA enforcement actions against PA state programs.
PA DHS; DOJ ADA Reviews
3
Electoral accountability
Won Nov 2022 with 56.5% to Mastriano's 41.7% — 14.8% margin, largest for a non-incumbent PA governor since 1946. Earned 3M+ votes, most ever for PA gubernatorial candidate. Defeated election-denier Doug Mastriano decisively in crucial swing state. 2026 reelection campaign launched Jan 2026 as heavy favorite. Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R) announced as likely opponent.
PA DOS — 2022 General Election Results
3

Section B — State Outcomes 526/975

13 categories measuring real-world outcomes: economic performance, population trends, fiscal health, public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure, cost of living, transparency, controversy, historical context, constituent satisfaction, and immigration compliance.

BEA SAGDP: PA GDP ~$890B (6th largest state economy). BLS LAUS: unemployment ~3.8% (near national avg). Census ACS median household income ~$72,000 (near national). Job growth moderate. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh economies stable. Manufacturing sector mixed — some gains from reshoring, some losses. Energy sector strong (natural gas).
Census 2025: PA population 13,078,751 — 5th most populous state. Added 13,000+ people (0.1% growth, Jul 2024-Jul 2025). 10-year growth just 1.2% vs national 6.2% — ranked 41st in growth. Net domestic migration loss of 45,500 (2020-2024); offset by net international migration of +26,900. Population 18.7% over age 65 (aging faster than national average). Rural counties declining while Philadelphia/Pittsburgh metros stable. Center for Rural PA projects continued aging and rural depopulation through 2050. IFO demographic report warns death rate outpacing births — sustained only by international immigration.
Rainy Day Fund at historic record $7.04B — covers 53.6 days of General Fund expenses, above 50-state median (49.1 days per Pew). $737M deposit in FY2024-25 budget. Credit rating AA-/Aa3 (below top tier historically due to pension underfunding). SERS funded at 67%, PSERS at 60% — combined unfunded liability ~$50B+. IFO projects structural deficit of $3.9B in FY2025-26 expanding to $8.4B by FY2029-30 without new revenue. FY2025-26 budget $50.09B signed into law. Bond refinancing saved $71M+. FY2024-25 General Fund revenue $46.4B exceeded IFO estimates by $321M (0.7%). PA Treasury S&P A+ rating. Pension liability remains largest fiscal challenge but reserves at strongest position in decades.
FBI UCR: PA violent crime rate ~313/100K (2022, below national ~359). Philadelphia homicides: historic decline from 562 (2021 peak) to 269 (2024, 35% single-year drop — largest in 60 years) to 222 (2025, lowest since 1966, down 17% YoY). Statewide homicides down 35% since 2022 under Shapiro. Gun robberies down 22%, shooting incidents down 29% (2025 vs 2024). Philadelphia clearance rate highest since 1984. PCCD Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) grants driving results. $56.5M gun violence/public safety budget investment. 7,300 gunshot detection cameras deployed (up from 3,600 in 2024). Opioid deaths remain high (~4,719 in 2023, 83% opioid-related, 77% fentanyl). Lancaster, Erie, Pittsburgh also at lowest homicide totals in decades.
NAEP 2022: 4th grade math 237 (above national 235), 8th grade reading 261 (above national 260). Graduation rate ~87%. School funding lawsuit (William Penn School District v. PA) found funding system unconstitutional — Shapiro working on remedy. School voucher proposal vetoed — controversial. Education outcomes above average.
Census ACS uninsured rate ~5.8% (Medicaid expansion under Corbett/Wolf continued). CDC: life expectancy ~77.3 (at national avg). Infant mortality 6.0/1K (slightly above national 5.4). Opioid crisis remains significant — PA among highest overdose death rates. Rural health access challenges.
I-95 repair in 12 days (June 11-23, 2023) — experts predicted months, Shapiro delivered in days using innovative recycled foam glass aggregate fill. Permanent reconstruction completed May 2024. Named America's Transportation Awards finalist. FHWA NBI: PA has 2,835 bridges in poor condition (13%, down from 23% in 2013) — 6th highest share nationally but steadily improving. PennDOT repaired/replaced 94 bridges and improved 508 roadway miles in SE PA (2023 season alone). PA ranks 5th nationally in IIJA highway funding ($2.26B/yr, $4B+ over 5 years). PennDOT Pathways program reforming transportation funding model. Roads below average condition but improving. PAyback: first-in-nation money-back guarantee for permit delays. Broadband expansion underway.
BEA RPP: ~96-98 (prices 2-4% below national). Housing relatively affordable outside Philadelphia/Pittsburgh cores. Median home price ~$275K (well below national). No broad-based sales tax on most goods. Property taxes relatively high. Overall moderate cost of living.
PA Right-to-Know Law compliance under pressure: Office of Open Records received record 3,227 appeals in 2024, then 3,970 in 2025 (23% increase) — indicating growing transparency conflicts. Shapiro admin fighting to block records related to sexual harassment allegations involving top aide (OOR ruled documents should be released, admin appealing). OOR ruled Shapiro not required to share daily schedule details — rolling back Wolf-era transparency practice. CODE PA (EO 2023-08) created Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience redesigning PA.gov. data.pa.gov won NASCIO innovation award. PA Treasury OpenBookPA provides fiscal dashboards. IFO publishes independent revenue estimates and structural deficit warnings without interference. Former AG background adds credibility but RTK appeals surge suggests growing obstruction.
School voucher reversal: appeared to support vouchers on Fox News then reversed under union pressure — drew bipartisan criticism. VP consideration (Aug 2024): completed vetting, interviewed at Naval Observatory, Harris chose Walz — raised questions about national ambition vs state focus. Top Democratic campaign surrogate in fall 2024 without state resource misuse. RTK appeals hit record 3,970 in 2025 (23% increase) — admin fighting to block sexual harassment scandal records involving top aide despite OOR rulings. Luxury hotel spending drew media inquiry but no formal findings. Governor's residence upgrades faced RTK subpoena. 61% approval (Quinnipiac Oct 2025). Relatively low controversy governor overall — no personal scandals, no major policy failures.
Against predecessor Tom Wolf (D, 2015-2023): first back-to-back D governors since 1958. Wolf left legacy of $5.4B education spending increase but couldn't work with legislature — overreliance on vetoes and executive action. Shapiro's bipartisan approach sharply different — I-95 repair in 12 days is signature achievement, best emergency infrastructure response in modern US history. Named America's Transportation Awards finalist. Rainy Day Fund at historic $7.04B (Wolf era: ~$3B). Bridge deficiency rate improved from 23% (2013) to 13% (2024). Shapiro reversed Wolf's pension tax, saving 500K households ~$1,000/yr. Secured $31.6B+ private investment, $20B Amazon AI campus (largest in PA history). 61% approval (Quinnipiac Oct 2025). Still early (3 years). Pension underfunding inherited (SERS 67%, PSERS 60%).
Won Nov 2022 with 56.5% to Doug Mastriano's 41.7% — 14.8% margin, largest for non-incumbent PA governor since 1946. Earned 3M+ votes (most ever for PA gubernatorial candidate). Defeated election-denier decisively in crucial swing state. Morning Consult: 61% approve/27% disapprove (2025), 9th most popular governor nationally. Quinnipiac: 60% job approval (Oct 2025). Consistently above 59% since I-95 response. VP shortlist finalist (Aug 2024) — interviewed at Naval Observatory. 2026 reelection campaign launched Jan 2026 as heavy favorite. 2028 presidential speculation widespread. Both parties find elements to like: R's appreciate I-95 competence and permit reform; D's appreciate education funding and worker protections.
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Section C — Oath Fidelity +19 (-378 to +378)

126 items scored -3 to +3 measuring fidelity to constitutional oath. Grounded in Supreme Court precedent and constitutional text.

+3Exemplary +2Strong +1Adequate 0Neutral -1Concerning -2Failing -3Hostile

Protection of Life

Declaration of Independence; 5th/14th Amendments
Score: 17 Range: -93 to 93 Items: 31
Violent crime rate trend
PA violent crime declining significantly. Philadelphia homicides dropped from 562 (2021 peak) to 222 (2025 — lowest since 1966). Statewide homicides down 35% since 2022. Gun robberies down 22%, shooting incidents down 29%. Strong positive trend under Shapiro.
FBI UCR; Philadelphia PD; PCCD
+2
Homicide rate relative to national average
PA homicide rate approximately 5.0-6.0/100K — near or slightly below national average. Philadelphia elevated but declining dramatically. Statewide rate trending below average.
FBI UCR; CDC WONDER
+1
Homicide clearance rate
Philadelphia clearance rate highest since 1984. Statewide improving. Estimated 50-55% clearance. Above national average of ~38% and rising.
FBI UCR; Philadelphia PD
+1
Law enforcement staffing adequacy
PA law enforcement staffing moderate. Philadelphia PD faces recruitment challenges. State Police adequate. Overall approximately 2.0-2.2/1K. Average levels.
FBI LEOKA; BJS
0
Drug overdose death rate trend
PA opioid crisis remains severe — 4,719 overdose deaths in 2023, 83% opioid-related, 77% fentanyl. One Pennsylvanian dies every 2 hours. Among highest overdose rates nationally. Xylazine-involved deaths increased 22-fold (2018-2023). Philadelphia alone: 1,315 OD deaths.
CDC WONDER; NCHS; PA DOH
-2
Emergency management preparedness
PA PEMA meets most FEMA capability targets. I-95 collapse response (June 2023) was nationally praised as model emergency management. East Palestine cross-border response also effective.
FEMA SPR; I-95 after-action
+2
Preventable mass-casualty event response
I-95 collapse repair in 12 days (June 11-23, 2023) — experts predicted months. Used innovative recycled foam glass aggregate. Permanent reconstruction May 2024. Named America's Transportation Awards finalist. Exemplary response, national model.
FEMA; PennDOT; AASHTO
+3
Infrastructure safety — bridge and road conditions
PA has 2,835 bridges in poor condition (13%, down from 23% in 2013) — 6th highest share nationally. Roads below average condition. Steadily improving under investment but still deficient. PennDOT repaired 94 bridges in SE PA alone (2023).
FHWA NBI; PennDOT
-1
Water and dam safety compliance
PA generally meets EPA SDWA standards. Some localized issues (lead service lines in older cities). Dam safety program functional. No major crises. Adequate compliance.
EPA SDWIS; PA DEP
+1
Healthcare access — uninsured rate
PA uninsured rate ~5.8%. Medicaid expansion continues (2M+ renewed during unwinding). Coverage improving. Below 6% threshold.
Census ACS; KFF
+2
Maternal mortality rate
PA maternal mortality rate approximately 18-25/100K. Near national average. Racial disparities significant. Within adequate range overall.
CDC WONDER; NCHS
+1
Infant mortality rate
PA infant mortality rate 6.0/1K — slightly above national 5.4/1K. Near neutral threshold. Racial disparities present.
CDC WONDER; NCHS
0
Self-defense rights — Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground
PA has Castle Doctrine + Stand Your Ground (Act 10 of 2011). No duty to retreat where lawfully present. Shapiro has not moved to repeal. Strong self-defense framework remains.
PA statutes 18 §505; NRA-ILA
+2
Death penalty procedural safeguards
Shapiro announced he will not issue any execution warrants during his term and called on legislature to abolish death penalty entirely. Issues reprieve for every death warrant. Continuing Wolf moratorium. Actively refusing to enforce existing state law — death penalty remains on the books, passed by legislature, upheld by courts. Unilateral executive nullification of valid statute.
DPIC; PA statutes; Governor's Office press release Feb 2023
-2
Suicide prevention program funding and outcomes
PA suicide rate approximately 14-15/100K — near national average. State plan in place. 988 integration operational. Average outcomes.
CDC WISQARS; AFSP PA
0
911/emergency response time adequacy
PA EMS response adequate in urban areas. Some rural gaps in central/northern PA. NFPA compliance approximately 75-80%. Professional departments in major cities strong.
NFPA; PA EMS data
+1
Opioid/fentanyl interdiction and treatment funding
PA has comprehensive opioid strategy with fentanyl task force. Treatment investment significant. PDMP operational. But outcomes still poor — 4,719 deaths in 2023. Some county declines (Fayette down 48%). Strategy exists but statewide outcomes flat.
SAMHSA; CDC WONDER; PA DDAP
0
Veteran suicide and healthcare access
PA DMVA serves 700K veterans. Helped veterans secure $1B+ in benefits two consecutive years. Multiple veterans homes including $97M Hollidaysburg facility. Adequate services.
VA SAIL; NASDVA; PA DMVA
+1
Food safety and foodborne illness enforcement
PA food safety program meets most FDA/USDA standards. PA Dept of Agriculture maintains robust inspection. Conformance above 85%. Strong agricultural state.
FDA Conformance Standards; PA Dept of Agriculture
+1
Workplace fatality rate
PA workplace fatality rate approximately 3.5-4.0/100K FTE. Energy/mining and construction create risks. Within adequate range.
BLS CFOI
+1
Domestic violence fatality rate and funding
PA has DV fatality review. Programs funded through PCADV. Rate near national average. Shelter capacity adequate in major metros. Prevention programs active.
NNEDV; BJS; PCADV
+1
Correctional facility death rate and conditions
PA corrections system large (~36,000 inmates). Death rate near national average. No active DOJ investigations. DOC budget $3.3B despite declining population — 8% staff vacancy, $30M overtime overrun. Average conditions.
BJS Mortality; PA DOC
0
Pollution-related mortality and environmental health
PA has some nonattainment areas (Allegheny County historically). Superfund sites present. Environmental enforcement moderate. Natural gas industry creates some concerns. Average cleanup pace.
EPA Green Book; PA DEP
0
Pedestrian and traffic fatality rate
PA traffic fatality rate approximately 1.2-1.4/100M VMT. Near national average. Urban pedestrian fatalities a concern in Philadelphia. Standard highway safety.
NHTSA FARS; PennDOT
0
Sanctity of life legislative framework
Shapiro signed EO protecting out-of-state abortion access, joined 21-governor Reproductive Freedom Alliance, refused to defend PA's Medicaid abortion funding ban in court (told court the 1985 statute is unconstitutional), ended $30M+ in state funding to Real Alternatives crisis pregnancy centers, and launched state abortion access website. Active executive undermining of pro-life statutes even where divided legislature prevents statutory change. More aggressive than scored previously — executive actions circumventing legislative intent on multiple fronts.
Guttmacher; PA statutes; EO 2023-02; PA Capital-Star; WHYY
-2
Homeless mortality — exposure deaths, overdoses in encampments, violence
Invested $5.3M+ to tackle homelessness. Pittsburgh achieved 93% reduction in encampments. Created PA's first Housing Action Plan. Proposed $80M for housing crisis.
PA DCED; WESA; Governor's press
+1
Population loss impact on services — EMS/hospital closures, tax base erosion
Lost 11,500 domestically 2023-2024 (50,700 since 2020) but recent data shows possible reversal. Gaining from NY/NJ, losing to FL/TX.
Census Bureau; PA Rural Center
0
Police staffing/funding — governor's direct actions on law enforcement
800 additional State Troopers funded (4 cadet classes, 400 in budget). $3M+ recruitment grants for 700 municipal positions. $14M for local hiring. $100M gun violence reduction.
PA Governor's Office; PCCD; PA Budget
+2
Criminal recidivism from early release — parole/clemency, no-cash-bail
No broad early release or no-cash-bail push. But hasn't confronted Philadelphia DA Krasner's leniency. Supported special SEPTA prosecutor. Balanced but passive.
Philadelphia Inquirer; WHYY
0
Prison/shelter housing — biological males in women's facilities
No biological sex facility protections. Called women's sports bills 'extremist.' Would oppose sex-based housing policies.
WHYY; WESA; DV Journal
-1
Mental health crisis system — involuntary commitment reform, crisis intervention
$10M for 988 crisis lifeline (doubling). $5M crisis stabilization walk-in centers. $20M for county mental health. $100M K-12 school mental health. Created Behavioral Health Council.
PA DHS; Governor's press; PA Budget
+2

Constitutional Rights

Bill of Rights (Amendments I-X); 14th Amendment incorporation
Score: -16 Range: -87 to 87 Items: 29
Second Amendment — right to carry status
PA is shall-issue, but Shapiro has actively advocated for universal background checks, red flag laws, and tighter carry restrictions. Said he would sign gun control bills if they reach his desk. Divided legislature (R Senate) has blocked changes. Score reflects stated positions and advocacy, not just enacted law.
PA statutes; USCCA; The Gun Zone; GOA PA
-1
Second Amendment — semi-automatic rifle restrictions
Shapiro has vocally supported an assault weapons ban, stating military-style weapons 'have no place in civilian society.' As AG, joined 18 other AGs to defend California's semi-auto restrictions in court. No PA ban enacted due to R Senate opposition, but clear advocacy position.
PA statutes; AG litigation records; The Gun Zone
-1
Second Amendment — magazine capacity restrictions
Shapiro has supported high-capacity magazine bans. No restrictions enacted in PA due to divided legislature. Advocacy position documented through campaign statements and AG record.
PA statutes; NRA-ILA; campaign records
-1
Second Amendment — Red Flag / ERPO due process
Shapiro has repeatedly advocated for red flag laws (ERPOs) and stated he will sign such a bill. House passed red flag legislation but stalled in R Senate. Governor's Office of Gun Violence Prevention (EO 2024-02) with $56.5M budget includes ERPO advocacy. Active push for pre-crime firearms seizure.
PA statutes; EO 2024-02; PA House records
-1
First Amendment — campus free speech protections
No specific campus free speech statute in PA. Public universities have standard policies. No major suppression incidents documented. Neutral posture.
FIRE campus rankings; PA statutes
0
First Amendment — anti-SLAPP protections
PA has narrow anti-SLAPP protection. No comprehensive statute. Common law provides some protection but limited scope. No action during Shapiro tenure.
PA statutes; Public Participation Project
0
First Amendment — religious liberty protections
As AG, Shapiro led the charge to strip religious exemptions from the Little Sisters of the Poor, suing to force Catholic nuns to provide contraceptives/abortifacients against their religious beliefs. Lost 7-2 at SCOTUS (Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania, 2020). Continued litigation even after SCOTUS ruling. No state RFRA enacted. Five state boards under his administration adopted policies banning 'conversion therapy' — restricting faith-based counselors' speech. Active hostility to religious conscience rights documented.
Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania (2020); PA statutes; Becket Fund; PA state board SOPs
-2
Fourth Amendment — warrant requirements for digital surveillance
PA relies on federal Carpenter standard. Wiretap Act provides some additional protections. Standard framework with modest state enhancement. 7,300 gunshot detection cameras deployed statewide raise some surveillance concerns but targeted at public safety.
PA statutes; EFF
0
Fourth Amendment — civil asset forfeiture reform
PA has some forfeiture reform (PA Supreme Court 2017 ruling requiring actual knowledge) but still allows civil forfeiture with lower burden of proof. No reform legislation signed by Shapiro. Federal equitable sharing participation continues.
IJ Policing for Profit; PA statutes
0
Fifth Amendment — eminent domain protections post-Kelo
PA enacted post-Kelo reform (2006) restricting economic development takings. However, Shapiro personally invoked adverse possession to claim neighbor's property for security fence, deploying State Police to patrol disputed land. Property Rights Protection Act intact but governor's personal conduct raises concerns about respect for property rights.
IJ/Castle Coalition; PA statutes; Spotlight PA Feb 2026; Inquirer Feb 2026
0
Due process — regulatory takings and permitting timelines
PAyback program — first-in-nation money-back guarantee for permit delays. PA Permit Fast Track (EO 2024-04) with public dashboard. SPEED Act allows private DEP-verified professionals for initial review. Innovative approach to regulatory efficiency. Genuine positive for due process and property rights.
PA PAyback program; permitting data
+1
Tenth Amendment — federal overreach resistance
Shapiro selectively resists federal authority — blocking ICE detention facilities ('every tool at his disposal'), opposing Trump DEI orders, joining lawsuits against federal gender-affirming care restrictions. But cooperates with and actively seeks federal funding/programs. Posture is ideologically selective rather than principled federalism — resists conservative federal policies while embracing progressive ones.
Multistate litigation dockets; gubernatorial records; Spotlight PA Feb 2026
-1
Equal Protection — state contracting nondiscrimination
Appointed Commonwealth Chief Diversity Officer. Maintained DEI programs across state agencies despite SFFA ruling. Resisted Trump administration's DEI executive orders. Reestablished Governor's Advisory Commissions on African American, Asian American, Latino, LGBTQ, and Women's affairs (EO June 2023). Race-conscious state employment and contracting programs remain in place.
PA OA; Governor's Advisory Commissions; state policy
-1
Second Amendment — state preemption of local firearms laws
PA has state preemption of local firearms laws (18 §6120). PA Supreme Court has upheld preemption. Philadelphia has challenged preemption repeatedly. Shapiro has not moved to repeal preemption. Enforcement mechanism exists.
PA statutes; NRA-ILA; PA Supreme Court
+1
First Amendment — government transparency and FOIA compliance
PA RTK appeals hit record 3,970 in 2025 (23% increase). Admin fighting in two separate lawsuits to block sexual harassment scandal records despite OOR rulings they should be released. Deleted email account of Vereb accuser — 'zero emails on the server is preposterous' (OOR). Rolled back Wolf-era daily schedule transparency. $295K taxpayer-funded settlement with confidentiality clause. Active obstruction of public records access.
PA RTK Law; OOR records; RCFP; Broad+Liberty; Spotlight PA
-2
Sixth Amendment — public defender funding adequacy
PA public defender funding varies significantly by county. Some urban counties adequate, rural counties underfunded. No unified state public defender system. Caseloads above recommended levels in many counties. No reform action during Shapiro tenure.
Sixth Amendment Center; PA county PD data
-1
Eighth Amendment — bail reform and pretrial detention
PA has cash bail system with some reform. Philadelphia implemented some pretrial reform. Balance between bail reform and public safety. Average posture. No major changes under Shapiro.
Pretrial Justice Institute; PA courts
0
Property rights — regulatory burden and economic freedom
PA has average regulatory burden. PAyback permit reform is genuinely positive for business. Project Labor Agreement mandate (March 2024 directive) increases costs for non-union contractors. Mixed — good on permitting, restrictive on labor mandates.
Mercatus RegData; Fraser Institute; PA PLA directive
0
Second Amendment — governor's litigation posture on firearms
As AG, Shapiro joined 18 AGs defending California's semi-auto restrictions. Reached agreement banning ghost gun kits at PA's largest gun show. As AG, pursued anti-gun litigation actively. Supported ghost gun ban legislation (HB 777 — would criminalize possession, require surrender within 7 days). Re-established Office of Gun Violence Prevention with $56.5M budget. PA Gun Rights delivered 130,000 petitions opposing his gun control agenda. Consistent anti-2A litigation and executive posture.
PA AG filings; state litigation; EO 2024-02; PA Gun Rights; GOA
-2
First Amendment — compelled speech protections
DEI programs in state employment with Chief Diversity Officer. Five state boards adopted policies declaring 'conversion therapy' for minors unprofessional conduct — restricting licensed counselors' professional speech based on content. Advisory commissions for identity-group advocacy embedded in executive branch. Compelled orthodoxy in professional licensing.
PA statutes; state employment policies; PA DOS board SOPs
-1
Commerce Clause compliance — interstate trade barriers
PA has average interstate commerce environment. Standard licensing. No major documented barriers. No significant changes under Shapiro.
IJ licensing data; PA statutes
0
Privileges and Immunities — occupational licensing reform
PA enacted some licensing reform including military spouse expedited licensing. Removed degree requirement for 92% of state jobs (65,000 positions — EO 2023-03). PAyback permit reform reduces barriers. Positive reform direction.
IJ License to Work; NCSL; EO 2023-03
+1
Contract Clause — state compliance with contractual obligations
PA pension funded: SERS 67%, PSERS 60%. Combined unfunded liability ~$50B+. Making ARC payments under Act 120 formula but funded ratios below 70%. Credit ratings AA-/Aa3. Employer contributions declining. Below adequate threshold for pensions.
Pew pension data; PA pension CAFR
0
Jury trial rights — civil and criminal jury access
PA maintains standard jury trial access. Large court system functional. Adequate access statewide. Some backlogs in urban counties but manageable.
PA court annual reports; NCSC
+1
Immigration law compliance — Supremacy Clause
PA has 17 sanctuary jurisdictions (2nd most nationally). Philadelphia on DOJ sanctuary list. Shapiro has not acted against local sanctuary policies. More significantly, Shapiro pledged to use 'every tool at his disposal' to block ICE detention centers in Berks and Schuylkill Counties, wrote letter to DHS Secretary Noem opposing federal immigration enforcement infrastructure, and met with local leaders to coordinate opposition. Active resistance to federal immigration enforcement, not merely passive tolerance.
8 USC §1373; DOJ Sanctuary List; FAIR; Spotlight PA Feb 2026; Inquirer Feb 2026
-2
Qualified immunity / due process for officers
No significant action either way on qualified immunity. Follows federal doctrine.
PA state law
0
Voter ID and ballot chain-of-custody
Weak voter ID (first-time only). Implemented automatic opt-out registration at PennDOT. Hasn't pushed stronger ID or chain-of-custody.
PA Governor's Office; Spotlight PA
-1
Non-citizen voting prevention
Auto registration without strong citizenship verification. System relies on honor system with post-hoc detection. No prevention measures enacted.
Spotlight PA; PA election fraud analysis
-1
Women's sports / Title IX — biological sex protections in state-funded athletics
Called Save Women's Sports Act legislators 'extremist.' Would veto the bill. Vocal opposition goes beyond inaction to active hostility.
WHYY; WESA; DV Journal; Fox43
-2

Child Welfare & Parental Rights

Meyer v. Nebraska (1923); Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925); Troxel v. Granville (2000); Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972); Parham v. J.R. (1979); 14th Amendment substantive due process
Score: 7 Range: -75 to 75 Items: 25
Parental rights legislation — statutory recognition
No Parental Bill of Rights in PA. Common law protections intact. No specific statutory strengthening or weakening during Shapiro tenure. Neutral position.
PA statutes; NCSL
0
Education choice — school choice programs
Shapiro initially supported $100M school voucher program — appeared on Fox News backing it, Education Secretary told Senate he'd support it. Then reversed under teachers' union pressure and line-item vetoed the $100M voucher provision from FY2023-24 budget. Commonwealth Partners CEO called it 'betrayal of kids in failing schools.' Subsequently tempered rhetoric but has not resurrected vouchers. Net effect: killed the most significant school choice expansion in PA history after promising to support it.
EdChoice; Spotlight PA; Chalkbeat; PA Capital-Star
-1
Parental notification/consent for medical procedures on minors
PA requires parental consent for most procedures. Parental consent for abortion (judicial bypass available). Standard framework. No changes during tenure.
PA statutes; Guttmacher
0
Gender-transition procedures for minors — restrictions
Shapiro joined multi-state lawsuit (Aug 2025) — only governor personally named — challenging Trump administration's restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors under 19. Joined CHOP in fighting federal subpoena for transgender youth medical records (Oct 2025). Five state boards under his administration banned 'conversion therapy' for minors (2024). Gender-affirming care legal under PA law with no restrictions. Active protection of minors' access to irreversible medical procedures over potential parental or federal objection.
PA statutes; NCSL; Inquirer; Fox43; PA Family Institute
-2
Child abuse and neglect — substantiated case rate trend
PA child abuse rate near national average. ChildLine reporting system functional. CPS system adequate with some gaps. Rate relatively stable.
ACF NCANDS; PA DHS
0
Foster care — CFSR conformity assessment
PA foster care system meets approximately 4 of 7 CFSR outcomes. Average performance. Improvement plans active. County-administered system creates variability. CFSR Round 4 preparation underway for 2026.
ACF CFSR; PA DHS
0
Foster care — permanency outcomes
PA permanency outcomes near national median. County-administered system creates wide variability. Average time to permanency. Standard performance.
ACF AFCARS; PA DHS
0
Child trafficking prevention and prosecution
PA has comprehensive trafficking statute. AG enforcement active — Shapiro's AG record includes strong anti-trafficking prosecutions. ICAC participation. Safe harbor provisions. Philadelphia identified as trafficking hub — targeted enforcement.
Polaris Project; Shared Hope International; PA AG
+1
Education outcomes — 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency
PA NAEP 4th grade reading: approximately 35-37% at/above proficient (2022). Above national average. Adequate performance.
NCES NAEP 2022
+1
Education outcomes — 8th grade NAEP math proficiency
PA NAEP 8th grade math: approximately 30-33% at/above proficient (2022). Near or slightly above national average. Math 237 above national 235. Adequate.
NCES NAEP 2022
+1
Parental curriculum transparency
PA has general access to curriculum on request. No comprehensive statutory mandate. Average transparency. School board policies vary by district.
PA education code; school board policies
0
Social media — minor protections
PA relies on federal COPPA baseline. No state-specific social media protections for minors enacted during Shapiro tenure.
PA statutes; NCSL
0
Juvenile justice — age-appropriate treatment
PA juvenile jurisdiction to 18. Reform efforts underway. Limited mandatory transfer for non-violent offenses. Some rehabilitation investment. Positive direction.
JJDPA; OJJDP; PA JCJC
+1
Child poverty rate and state response
PA child poverty rate approximately 15-17%. Near national average. Philadelphia elevated. Some investment in child welfare programs. $1.1B historic K-12 education funding increase helps but doesn't directly target poverty.
Census ACS SAIPE; KIDS COUNT
0
Adoption and permanency — adoptive family support
PA has subsidized adoption program. County-administered but adequate framework. Standard home study process. Recruitment programs for special-needs children.
ACF AFCARS; PA DHS adoption
+1
Homeschool rights and protections
PA requires notification, portfolio review at year-end, and standardized testing at certain grades. Moderate regulatory framework — more burdensome than most states. No changes during Shapiro tenure. Standard oversight.
HSLDA; PA homeschool law (24 PS §13-1327.1)
0
Child sexual abuse material enforcement
PA ICAC task force active. AG enforcement strong — as former AG, Shapiro's 2018 Catholic Church grand jury report (300+ priests, 1,000+ victims) was landmark child protection action. Mandatory reporting compliance standard. Active enforcement.
ICAC; NCMEC; PA AG
+1
School safety — violence prevention and incident response
PA has school safety grants. PCCD Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) grants driving results. SRO availability. Threat assessment in place. $56.5M public safety investment includes school safety components.
NASRO; PA school safety; PCCD
+1
Children's mental health services access
PA school counselor ratio approximately 400-500:1. Some funded programs. Crisis services available in urban areas. Rural gaps. Average access.
ASCA; PA DHS
0
Childhood vaccination — parental choice protections
PA provides religious and philosophical (strong moral/ethical conviction) exemptions for school vaccination. Parental choice respected. No changes to exemption framework under Shapiro. Adequate.
NCSL vaccination data; PA immunization statutes
+1
Child care affordability and access
PA child care subsidy at moderate FPL level. Some waitlists. Quality rating system (Keystone STARS). Average affordability. High cost in Philadelphia metro.
ACF CCDF; PA DHS child care
0
Education — teacher quality and retention
PA teacher workforce moderate. Salary competitive in some districts but wide variation. Vacancy moderate. Some shortage areas in rural and urban high-need schools.
NCES; PA DPI workforce data
0
Child nutrition — food insecurity rate
PA child food insecurity approximately 14-16%. Near national average. School meal programs active. Urban food deserts in Philadelphia persist.
USDA ERS; Feeding America
0
Custody and family court — due process in child removal
PA has adequate due process framework. County court systems functional. Appointed counsel in TPR. Standard protections.
PA child welfare statutes; ABA
+1
Children with disabilities — IDEA compliance
PA generally 'Meets Requirements' on OSEP determinations. Large special education population. Adequate funding. Most districts compliant.
OSEP annual determinations; PA DPI special education
+1

Faithful Discharge of Duties

Gubernatorial oath; Article IV, Section 4; state constitutional requirements
Score: 11 Range: -123 to 123 Items: 41
Budget balance — structural surplus/deficit
Budgets technically balanced during tenure but IFO projects structural deficit of $3.9B in FY2025-26, expanding to $8.4B by FY2029-30. FY2024-25 revenue exceeded estimates by $321M, masking underlying spending growth driven by DHS program costs. Emerging fiscal concern not yet addressed.
PA CAFR; IFO; NASBO
0
State credit rating stability
Moody's upgraded PA from Aa3 to Aa2 in Oct 2024 — highest since 2013. Fitch upgraded to AA from AA-. S&P improved outlook to positive on A+ rating. All three agencies cite sound fiscal management. Active improvement during tenure.
S&P; Moody's; Fitch
+1
Rainy day / budget stabilization fund adequacy
Rainy Day Fund at historic record $7.04B — covers 53.6 days of General Fund expenses, above 50-state median (49.1 days per Pew). $737M deposit in FY2024-25 budget. Exemplary reserves.
NASBO; Pew; PA CAFR
+3
Pension system funding responsibility
SERS 67%, PSERS 60%. Combined unfunded liability ~$50B+. Making ARC payments under Act 120 formula but funded ratios low. Long-standing inherited problem. Some improvement but still 60-69% range.
Pew pension data; PA pension CAFR
0
State debt burden
PA debt per capita ~$5,872 (Reason Foundation 2025). Debt-to-GDP approximately 7-9%. Bond refinancing saved $71M+. Near average debt burden.
Census; Moody's; PA Treasurer
0
Government efficiency — state employee headcount per capita
PA state workforce near national median per capita. Large government for large state. CODE PA digital modernization may improve efficiency long-term. AFSCME contract with 20.25% raises increases costs. Standard.
Census public employment survey
0
Inspector General / state auditor independence
PA Auditor General Tim DeFoor (R) independently elected and functional. IFO publishes independent structural deficit warnings without interference. Governor generally responsive to oversight. Adequate independence.
PA AG/Auditor General; ALGA
+1
Ethics violations and personal scandals
Mike Vereb sexual harassment scandal: top aide accused March 2023, didn't resign until Sept 2023 — 6 months of inaction. $295K taxpayer-funded settlement with confidentiality clause. Accuser's email account completely deleted. Admin fighting in two lawsuits to block records despite OOR rulings. $1.1M taxpayer-funded security upgrades to private home — Treasury questions legality. Neighbor property dispute with State Police deployed to disputed land. Pattern of using government resources for personal benefit and obstructing accountability.
PA Ethics Commission; OOR records; Spotlight PA; Broad+Liberty
-1
Executive order restraint
Shapiro implemented automatic voter registration by executive directive (Sept 2023) — bypassing legislature on significant election policy change. Republicans challenged as overreach; PA Freedom Caucus sued (SCOTUS declined to hear). EO 2023-02 on reproductive access within executive authority. Multiple EOs reestablishing advisory commissions, creating offices. Moderate to high volume; some push constitutional boundaries.
PA EO database; court records; Votebeat; Spotlight PA
0
Emergency powers — adherence to statutory limits
No significant emergency power controversies during Shapiro tenure. PA constitutional amendment (2021) already limited emergency powers post-Wolf COVID controversy. Shapiro operating within new limits. I-95 disaster declaration appropriately scoped.
PA Constitution; emergency statutes
+1
Legislative cooperation — veto override rate
Shapiro has worked with divided legislature relatively effectively. Bipartisan approach — appointed Republican Al Schmidt as Secretary of Commonwealth. Three bipartisan budgets signed. Low override rate. Better executive-legislative relations than predecessor Wolf. School voucher veto caused 6-month impasse but budgets ultimately completed.
PA legislative records; NCSL
+1
Judicial appointments — qualifications and process integrity
Shapiro judicial appointments generally qualified. Standard process followed. PA Bar Association rated appointments as qualified. As former AG, brings legal expertise. No documented patronage concerns.
PA judicial nomination records; PA Bar Association
+1
Timely execution of laws — implementation of enacted legislation
Most legislation implemented within timelines. William Penn school funding remedy progressing ($500M initial, 7-9 year plan). SPEED Act implemented. Active execution of enacted laws.
PA agency rulemaking; legislative oversight
+1
Federal fund utilization — grant management
PA ranks 5th nationally in IIJA highway funding ($2.26B/yr, $4B+ over 5 years). CHIPS Act: $172M secured. Federal funds deployed effectively for infrastructure. No major audit findings or clawbacks.
Federal Audit Clearinghouse; USAspending.gov
+1
Public approval as competence indicator
Quinnipiac 60% approval (Oct 2025). Morning Consult 61% approve / 27% disapprove. 9th most popular governor nationally. Consistently above 59% since I-95 response. Strong bipartisan approval in swing state.
Morning Consult; Quinnipiac Oct 2025
+2
State IT security and data protection
CODE PA (EO 2023-08) modernizing state IT. CISO in place. data.pa.gov won NASCIO award. No major breaches. Proactive IT modernization. UC system Live Chat with AI/NLU launched.
NASCIO; CODE PA
+1
Infrastructure spending — capital budget execution
I-95 repair in 12 days — exemplary. PennDOT repaired 94 bridges, improved 508 roadway miles in SE PA (2023 alone). PA ranks 5th in IIJA highway funding. $97M Hollidaysburg Veterans Home. Strong execution despite large backlog.
ASCE; PennDOT; IIJA data
+2
Disaster fund readiness
PA disaster readiness strong. FEMA obligations met. $7.04B rainy day fund provides significant fiscal cushion for emergencies. I-95 demonstrated rapid mobilization capability.
FEMA; PA PEMA
+1
Workforce development — unemployment system integrity
PA UC system transformed: call wait times from 1+ hours to under 10 minutes. $68M SIIF investment. ID.me verification deployed. Processing improved from pandemic-era backlogs. Strong modernization.
DOL UI Data Summary; PA L&I
+1
Medicaid program integrity
PA Medicaid has standard error rates. Large program (3.2M enrollees) with managed care. DHS Medicaid spending is largest driver of structural deficit per IFO. Budget within appropriation currently but trajectory concerning.
CMS PERM; PA DHS
0
Election administration — constitutional compliance
Shapiro implemented automatic voter registration via executive directive (Sept 2023) — significant election policy change without legislative approval. Republicans sued, arguing it exceeded executive authority. SCOTUS declined to hear case. Voter ID constitutional amendment deadlocked between chambers. Unilateral executive action on election procedures raises separation-of-powers concerns.
EAC EAVS; Verified Voting; PA DOS; Votebeat; PA Freedom Caucus
-1
Transparency — state budget accessibility
PA has budget documents online. OpenBookPA fiscal dashboards. data.pa.gov NASCIO award. But record RTK appeals (3,970 in 2025), email deletion in Vereb case, confidentiality clause on $295K settlement, and resistance to schedule disclosure severely undermine transparency credibility despite good open data infrastructure.
U.S. PIRG; OpenBookPA; data.pa.gov; Spotlight PA
0
Intergovernmental cooperation — federal compliance balanced with sovereignty
Selective federal cooperation — exemplary on infrastructure (I-95, IIJA) but actively obstructing federal immigration enforcement (ICE detention opposition). 17 sanctuary jurisdictions tolerated. Joined multi-state lawsuits against federal policies on gender-affirming care restrictions. Not balanced — cooperates when aligned ideologically, resists when not.
Federal compliance records; NGA; Spotlight PA
0
Gubernatorial succession and continuity planning
LG Austin Davis in place. COOP plan current. Clear succession chain. Adequate continuity planning.
PA Constitution; FEMA COOP
+1
Anti-corruption — state procurement integrity
$1.1M in taxpayer-funded security upgrades to governor's private home — PA Treasury questioned legality of using public funds for non-state property. GOP Senate issued subpoenas on party-line votes. Administration shielded details of ~25% of expenses citing security. Neighbor property dispute involved State Police patrolling disputed land. Pattern of blurring lines between state resources and personal benefit.
PA procurement office; Spotlight PA Nov 2025; WESA Feb 2026
-1
Gas price burden — state gas taxes, refinery regulations, cap-and-trade
2nd highest gas tax nationally at 57.6 cents/gallon (highest diesel at 74.1). Has not acted to reduce despite extreme burden. Predates Shapiro but no relief.
PA Revenue; Tax Foundation; ComplyIQ
-2
Energy affordability — residential electricity costs from state policy
Residential costs rising 5-16% in 2025, some areas +29%. 17.05 cents/kWh climbing. 'Lightning Plan' proposes cap-and-trade (PACER) likely raising costs further.
Consumer Energy Solutions; PA PUC; WESA
-1
Energy policy competence — forced mandates without infrastructure readiness
Proposed PRESS and PACER cap-and-trade for carbon. Initially withdrew from RGGI then proposed own program. Critics cite cost uncertainty. Also supports natural gas.
WHYY; Commonwealth Foundation; Allegheny Front
-1
Property tax burden — effective rate vs national median
Expanded Property Tax Rebate (first in 20 years): max $650→$1,000. $314M distributed. New $193M Working Tax Credit. But underlying rates still high.
PA Revenue; Governor's press; PA Budget
0
Regulatory cost burden — permits, compliance costs per household/business
Created Permit Fast Track Program eliminating DEP backlog. Streamlined infrastructure permitting. But PACER cap-and-trade would add costs. Mixed.
Governor's EO Nov 2024; PA DCED; PA DEP
+1
Unfunded mandates on municipalities
No significant unfunded mandate changes. Housing and public safety grants fund localities directly. Proposed mandates could create new costs.
PA Municipal League
0
Cost of living trajectory — policy-driven affordability trend
Mixed: tax credits provide relief ($314M rebates, $193M credit). But rising energy, 2nd highest gas tax, and proposed carbon cap create pressure.
PA Revenue; Consumer Energy Solutions; Census data
0
Immigration fiscal burden — taxpayer cost of sanctuary/benefits policies
Not a sanctuary state but moderate position. Criticized Krasner's ICE rhetoric but no cooperation mandates. Philadelphia de facto sanctuary without state intervention.
Philadelphia Inquirer; Governor's statements
0
Homelessness spending accountability — spending vs measurable outcomes
$5.3M invested, $80M proposed. Pittsburgh's 93% encampment reduction shows measurable outcomes. Focus on housing-first with documented results.
PA DCED; WESA; Pittsburgh DHS
+1
Encampment enforcement — response to SCOTUS Grants Pass ruling
No statewide Grants Pass response. Pittsburgh's reduction predates ruling. Local jurisdictions set own policies. Neutral.
Center Square PA; Pittsburgh approach
0
Net domestic migration trend — people leaving vs arriving
Lost 11,500 domestically but recent data shows possible flip. Gains from NJ/NY offset losses to FL/TX. Cautiously improving.
Census Bureau; PA Rural Center
0
Business exodus — corporate HQ and jobs relocating due to policy
No major exodus or wins. Permit reform aims to attract investment. Rising energy costs and gas tax create headwinds.
Commonwealth Foundation; PA DCED
0
DA accountability — governor's power to remove rogue prosecutors
Complex Krasner relationship but no removal. Supported SEPTA prosecutor workaround. PA governor lacks direct DA removal power.
Philadelphia Inquirer; WHYY
0
Election infrastructure — ballot harvesting, drop box security, audit transparency
Weak voter ID (first-time only). Auto registration without proportionate integrity. No ballot harvesting ban. No audit requirement signed.
PA election law; WESA
-1
Weaponization of state agencies — using AG/regulatory bodies against political opponents
No documented weaponization. Prosecuted corruption on both sides as AG. Normal political disputes as governor.
General review
0
Foreign adversary protections — Chinese land, TikTok bans, Confucius Institutes
Legislature passed TikTok ban 49-0 but Shapiro continues personal TikTok use off state Wi-Fi. Hasn't signed ban. No Chinese land or Confucius Institute action.
WESA; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; PA Senate vote
-1
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