JSGC Podcast

In this episode the JSGC podcast crew sits down to with Jennifer Berrier, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to learn about the many duties of this agency. Topics discussed include which utilities are regulated by the PUC, how rates are determined, and the role public feedback and complaints have in shaping the agency's decisions. We also discuss how the organiza...

In our final episode in this series on AI, Bryan sits down with former COPA-STEP Fellow Dr. Jae Wan Ahn to discuss AI's impact on cybersecurity, the emerging field of AI Agents, and hypothetical concepts that could one day shape the future of Artificial Intelligence.    The content for this episode is based on the full report Artificial Intelligence: Advisory Committee Recommendations on the...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew continues our exploration of topics from our AI report, this time turning our attention to data centers. Project manager of the JSGC report on AI Yvonne Hursh and former COPA-STEP AI Fellow Dr. Jae Wan Ahn return to answer questions about what data centers are, where they are sited, and the impacts they might have on local economies as well their effects on e...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interviews Mary Fox, the executive director of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission. In addition to learning about Mary’s background, we discuss the duties and responsibilities of the Ethics Commission, the difference between the Ethics Act and gift bans, and what type of disclosure is required of public officials, employees, and lobbyists. We also discus...

In this episode, Bryan DeWalt interviews Allison Kobzowicz and Dr. Jae Wan Ahn to continue our series exploring AI. This time, we focus on its impact on education and criminal justice fields. For education, we discuss beneficial uses of generative AI in the classroom and proposed guidelines for its effective use. For criminal justice, we talk about how algorithm based tools like predictive policin...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew continues our exploration of AI by focusing on its impact on two of Pennsylvania’s most important industries: agriculture and transportation. For agriculture, we discuss uses of precision agriculture, and rates of farmer adoption of technology within Pennsylvania. For transportation, we talk about self-driving vehicles as well as ways in which AI is helping t...

In this episode, Glenn and Susan interview Yvonne Hursh, project manager of JSGC’s recently released report on AI. Among the topics discussed are an explanation of what AI is, aspects of AI that show promise or concern, how our Advisory Committee shaped our findings, federal and state attitudes on the regulation of AI, as well as AI applications in the field of health care field. The full report,...

In this episode Glenn and Susan discuss the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Science and Technology Policy Program (COPA-STEP) with Patricia Gruver-Barr, the director of the program. We are also joined by Dr. Jae Wan Ahn, COPA-STEP’s inaugural fellow, who we are proud to announce was assigned to research here at JSGC! Together, we discuss how COPA-STEP is working to bring the science community and pol...

In recognition of October being American Archives Month, this episode features a discussion between the JSGC podcast crew and Taylor Mason, the Outreach Archivist from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Together, we discuss the background of the PA House Archives and how the history and files of the House are preserved. Other topics include the types of materials stored within the...

In this episode Bryan discusses geothermal energy applications with Lydia Ring, a policy intern for JSGC during the Summer of 2025. Among the topics discussed are the similarities between oil and gas extraction and geothermal electricity, cities creating thermal energy networks, and using geothermal heat pumps to cool data centers. This episode is based on "Unearthing the Potential for Geothe...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interviewed Bryan DeWalt about geothermal energy opportunities within Pennsylvania. Topics covered include geothermal power plants, ground source heat pumps, and how the Commonwealth may be uniquely situated to benefit from our heritage as a coal mining state. This episode is based on “Unearthing the Potential of Geothermal Energy Systems in Pennsylvania” rel...

In this episode the JSGC podcast crew interviewed project manager Allison Kobzowicz and legal analyst John Brettler about Pennsylvania’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) resources. Topics covered in this episode include how many of USAR teams are present in Pennsylvania, what elements comprise them, their history, how they are funded, and recommendations for how this system might be improved. The co...

This episode focuses on one of our fellow state agencies, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). The JSGC podcast crew interviewed two guests from IRRC, Chairman George Bedwick and Executive Director David Sumner to learn more about them and to spotlight the important work done by this agency. Among the topics discussed are IRRC’s role in the lawmaking process, the history of the age...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Yvonne Hursh and policy analyst Bryan DeWalt about the emerging practice of agrivoltaics, sometimes called dual-use solar. We discuss how solar panels can be combined with agricultural practices to protect Pennsylvania’s farmland, while increasing its productivity. The contents of this episode are based on "Agrivoltaic Farming i...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Yvonne Hursh about short-term rentals. We discuss what makes short-term rentals different from other types of housing, how they are affecting our communities, and the response of local governments within the Commonwealth. The content of this episode is based on The Short-term Rental Industry in Pennsylvania . A full report and summar...

In today’s episode, Susan and Glenn focus on police body-worn cameras. They discuss the many perceived benefits of their use for both civilians and law enforcement officers, as well as the current challenges of measuring the effectiveness of this technology. Staff Analyst Allison Kobzowicz joins us to speak on her experience creating and interpreting a survey on body-worn camera use and cost withi...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew interview project manager Steve Kramer to discuss entry rates into Pennsylvania police academies, minimum training standards, and changes made to police recruitment in Philadelphia by Act 37 of 2023. The content of this episode is based on Minimum Eligibility Standards for Police Officer Training and Graduation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , released i...

Women have played a vital role in the U.S. military forces since its inception, but efforts to provide our female veterans quality healthcare from veterans affairs organizations has historically fallen short when compared their male counterparts. In recent decades, there have been federal and state efforts to improve the standards of health care for women veterans. In this episode Susan sits down...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast crew return to a topic we've covered multiple times in the past: the infrastructure and adoption of broadband internet within the commonwealth. Since 2020, JSGC has released five broadband reports which have charted Pennsylvania's progress toward widespread and affordable broadband adoption. With 2024 being the final year of this project, we decided to i...

In this episode, the JSGC Podcast team interviews Yvonne and Bryan about the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people and clear up confusion over who is eligible to vote in Pennsylvania. We also discuss barriers to voting, and what we learned from collecting data on the voting habits of people released from prisons. A full report as well as a summary are available here . For an overview of vo...

In today’s episode, the JSGC podcast crew continues our discussion on disability services with Yvonne and Steve.  Among the topics discussed include: the importance of transportation, post-secondary school transition plans, the difficultly in retaining direct service personnel, and reducing waiting lists for services. The content of this episode is based on the report “Services to Individuals with...

In Today’s episode, the JSGC podcast crew interviews Yvonne to discuss how Pennsylvania provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Among the topics discussed include definitions of disability, how the troubled past of state-run institutions influences modern policy, and an explanation of Medicaid waivers. The content of this episode is based on the report “Servi...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast team interviews policy analyst Bryan DeWalt on the subject of nuclear technology in Pennsylvania. Among the topics discussed include an overview of how nuclear fission works, why nuclear power plants are difficult to build, and emerging alternatives to make nuclear power safer and more affordable. The content of this episode is based on the report "Benefits o...

Today the JSGC podcast team interviews Glenn Pasewicz, Susan Elder, and Allison Kobzowicz to discuss truancy in Pennsylvania schools. Among the topics discussed include important definitions, the penalties truant students face, and the changes brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.  Recommendations for reducing truancy in schools are also discussed. The content of this episode is based on the report &q...

In this episode, the JSGC podcast team interviews Bryan DeWalt and Allison Kobzowicz about two of our reports relating to higher education transparency. These report are the  "Instructional Output and Faculty Salary Costs of the State-related Universities" and "Information Disclosure of the State-related Universities" also known as the Snyder and Stairs reports. The Snyder repo...