City Cast Pittsburgh logo
November 11, 2024

Why Cannabis, Abortion & Raising the Minimum Wage Aren't on PA Ballots

City Cast Pittsburgh

Why Cannabis, Abortion & Raising the Minimum Wage Aren't on PA Ballots

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

The 2024 election brought a lot of change, and not just for high-level Republicans. In a handful of states, there were also citizen-led initiatives in consideration, too. They’re sometimes called ballot questions or voter referendums, and they’re one way regular people can go around their lawmakers to pass things like recreational cannabis, abortion protections, a higher minimum wage, and more. They literally give power to the people. But those paths aren’t available to us here in Pennsylvania. Today we’re talking about why.

Special thanks to reporter Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA for sharing his wisdom on this one. 

If you enjoyed today's interview with Alterations Express Marketing Manager, Jen Rondinelli, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this November 11th episode:

Pittsburgh Opera

Handmade Arcade

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
September 25

UPMC Yields to Trump, County Bans Big Data Centers & Goodbye Millennial Gray?

UPMC just placed a decade-long moratorium on gender-affirming care for patients under 19 and agreed to pay the federal government $950,00...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 24

A Warrant, a Budget & Pittsburgh’s Missing $250M

Former Mayor Ed Gainey is under investigation and facing allegations of improper contracts, questionable financial decisions, and potenti...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 23

Pittsburgh’s Flock Camera Problem

Allegheny County the most Flock cameras and automated license plate readers in PA, according to crowdsourced data. Host Megan Harris is w...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 22

Can $25M Make Smithfield Cool Again?

In the midst of Downtown’s larger $600 million makeover, Smithfield Street’s been waiting its turn. Crews are breaking ground today on th...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 21

Paid Parental Leave Proposal Gets a Makeover

After weighing over 1,400 public comments — mostly from parents, health care workers, and small business owners — the county health depar...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 20

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Philly Is Reducing Violence With Parks — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Would Pittsburgh be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 18

Ripping Out Skill Games, Mandatory Fun & RIP Annie Dillard

Will state police start ripping skill games out of convenience stores, vape shops, and other spots? That's what could happen if lawmakers...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 17

Pittsburgh Restaurant Empires, Explained

Did you know a ton of Pittsburgh's most influential dining spots are run by the same six restaurant groups? Some are massive, some are lo...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 16

Measles, Go-Karts & Wylie’s Opening Lineup

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is getting worse. At least four people have died and nearly 700 cases are being tracked statewide. Host M...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
September 15

What To Do During an ICE Encounter in Pittsburgh

Community leaders and business owners in Beechview — the heart of Pittsburgh's Latino community — say ICE activity has been increasi...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art