News & Brews February 20, 2026
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Report: PGH-area job growth trails Right-to-Work areas
A new report from the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy found that “Pittsburgh and its eight surrounding counties reported marginal job gains over the last 25 years,” the Center Square reports. “In an analysis of the region and … other similarly sized metros across the country, the institute found that cities in states without compulsory union rules – under the federal Right to Work Act – grew faster since 2000 and recovered faster post-pandemic.” Per the report, which you can read here, “The top five growth-areas, all in [Right-to-Work] states, enjoyed faster growth than the U.S. average. Portland was the only [metropolitan statistical area] among the non-RTW states to have surpassed the U.S. growth over the period.”
DOT holds webinar on proposed Scranton-NYC Amtrak line
WVIA reports, “People interested in a potential Amtrak passenger train service between Scranton and New York City had lots of questions Thursday. During a state Department of Transportation webinar, they wanted to know how often the trains would run, how much a trip would cost, the location of stations and, perhaps most importantly, when the first train will roll.” At the webinar, which was “the public’s first chance to ask top project officials directly about PennDOT’s progress on a service development plan,” there were few answers as the process is still very early on. The story gives a rundown of what we know so far.
Pinsley drops out of PA-07 race; will try again for state Senate
Democrat Mark Pinsley has exited the crowded congressional primary race in the Lehigh Valley and will instead take another run at state Senate. PoliticsPA reports, “The seat is presently occupied by Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh) who defeated Pinsley by eight points in the 2022 race to replace Patrick Browne who served from 2005-22. The state senate campaign marks the eighth race Pinsley has entered in the past 10 years and his third bid for the 16th District.”
Rabb will not run for re-election as he runs for Congress
Democrat state Rep. Chris Rabb (Philadelphia) announced he will not seek re-election to his state House seat as he’s “all-in” in his quest to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans. The Inquirer reports, “It is common for state legislators to run two simultaneous campaigns while seeking federal office.” And, indeed, Democrat state Rep. Morgan Cephas, who is also running for the nomination to succeed Evans, plans to run for her current office as she runs for Congress. Fellow candidate state Sen. Sharif Street, meanwhile, is not up for re-election this year.
A rundown of Pa.’s 2026 special elections (so far)
City & State PA provides a summary of the special elections for Pa. state House scheduled so far for 2026. “Following resignations … five seats in the chamber will be up for grabs in special elections scheduled over the next several months. The resignations came after several lawmakers won elections for local office in November, and another resigned…. The lawmakers who have since departed the chamber are former state Reps. Torren Ecker, Dan Miller, Lou Schmitt, Josh Siegel and Seth Grove.” In 2024, Ecker, Schmitt, Siegel, and Grove ran unopposed, while Miller won comfortably 67%-33%, per official election returns.