WPSU Digital

PA Local Podcast

Most people are aware of their local government. Some may even know their elected officials. But how many people understand the difference between what their municipality does and what their county does? How about infrastructure and services like roads, libraries, transit and recycling – how do those work? The PA Local podcast tries to shine a light on the workings of local government and the services that it provides with the taxes we all pay. If you want to know how local government is structured and how it functions, this podcast is for you.

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Episodes

Illustration of Pennsylvania landscape with keystone and government building icons.

Season 1 Episode 6

Municipalities

We discuss the history, purpose, function, and limitations of Pennsylvania municipalities with Patton Township Manager Doug Erickson.

11/29/21 | 33m 07s

Season 1 Episode 5

Recycling

We talk with Pam Adams of the Centre Region Planning Agency about the structure and management of recycling in the Centre Region and its sustainability over time.

11/29/21 | 28m 02s

Season 1 Episode 4

Libraries

Cathi Alloway, the Director of Schlow Centre Region Library in State College, discusses the history of Pennsylvania libraries, their mission, and their relationship to local governments and the state.

11/29/21 | 23m 12s

Season 1 Episode 3

Transit

Louwana Oliva, General Manager of the Centre Area Transit Authority (CATA), discusses the strategic and operational challenges of providing regional public transit.

11/29/21 | 23m 23s

Season 1 Episode 2

Transportation

Tom Zilla of the Centre Region Planning Agency, and lead planner for the Centre County MPO, discusses the structure and management of transportation projects at the local level.

11/29/21 | 28m 42s

Season 1 Episode 1

Counties

Mike Pipe, Centre County Commissioner, joins us to discuss the role of counties in Pennsylvania and how their functions differ from what is provided by municipal government.

11/29/21 | 27m 26s