Happy Holidays!

Remaining Session Days

The PA Senate held its last session day of 2025 earlier this week and the PA House convenes next week for their final 2025 session days. As we mentioned in the last Insight & Influence newsletter, the House released its 2026 calendar, and the Senate released its calendar through June.

October 2025 Gaming Revenue

October’s report from the PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reflected a 20.22% increase in revenue over October 2024. The combined total revenue generated from all forms of gaming, along with fantasy contests, during October 2025 was $596,970,584. iGaming continues to set records with $251,097,586 reported in October. The next highest figure was set in March 2025 of $238,220,161. 

According to this recent news article, Pennsylvania now leads the nation in gambling revenue as online casinos surge. 

2025 Election Results Certified

Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt certified the results of Pennsylvania’s 2025 municipal election after county officials confirmed the accuracy of their reported results through two pre-certification audits.

Roughly 42.45% of registered Pennsylvania voters cast a ballot in the November election, which is well above the 36.77% turnout for the 2023 municipal election.

With four members of the House being elected to other offices and the results now being certified, we expect that special election dates will be announced in October.

Dr. Carrie Rowe, Secretary of Education, Confirmed

Congratulations to Dr. Carrie Rowe who was confirmed as Pennsylvania’s new Secretary of Education in a bipartisan Senate vote earlier this week. 

Dr. Rowe brings 25 years of public education experience to her role. Before taking a position with the PA Department of Education, Dr. Rowe served as a Superintendent of Schools in the western region of the state. 

A Heavy Decision

The administration recently announced that it will no longer cover medication for weight loss and obesity under Medical Assistance starting January 1. The decision will save $380 million as concerns abound about Medicaid cuts increasing the cost of healthcare.

Second Annual PA Data Center and Energy Innovation Summit

The Pittsburgh Technology Council announced yesterday that Corey Hessen, CEO of Homer City Redevelopment, will deliver the keynote address at the March 27, 2026 event being held at The Landing Hotel in Pittsburgh. With data centers and the energy sector being front and center of many conversations this past year, the summit and the keynote address are sure to be well attended by industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers alike.

Registration is expected to open soon.

The Luck of the Irish

Yesterday morning, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) announced its 63^rd nonstop flight – this one by Aer Lingus connecting PIT and Dublin Airport. Flights will begin in May 2026 and will operate four times per week. The service builds on Ireland’s – and Aer Lingus’ – deep connections to the Pittsburgh region.



The service offers connections from Dublin to another 30 destinations, including many major European cities. If you need a reason to make the trip (do you really?), consider this one: The Pitt Panthers will face the Wisconsin Badgers in August 2027 in Dublin. 

What's Next

The Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, January 6 at 11:50 AM.

The House will reconvene on Monday, December 15 at 12 PM for a non-voting session.

At C&G Strategies, our communications and government relations professionals have leveraged their decades of experience to provide helpful Insights for our clients and the Influence to ensure they are heard. As a C&G Strategies client, you always have an “IN.”