Insight & Influence: The Podcast
In late 2024, we launched our Insight & Influence e-newsletter to share information and updates on Harrisburg happenings and those with across the state. Now we've moved to the next level with a companion podcast, also called Insight & Influence.
Presented by C & G Strategies, Insight & Influence brings insightful conversations from influential people including government officials, industry leaders, and advocates from across the state.
Episode 14 of 2026 of the C & G Strategies podcast, Insight and Influence, is now available wherever you get your podcasts.
In the latest episode of Insight & Influence, C & G Strategies host Amie Downs is joined by firm strategists Rob Vescio and Don Smith to break down the final passage of Pennsylvania’s $50.8 billion state budget signed by Governor Josh Shapiro. Describing the deal as a classic compromise forged under a divided government in an election year, the group analyzes key investments across K-12 education, Pre-K, higher education, medical assistance programs, and cost-of-living adjustments for state pensioners. They also examine how state leaders managed to advance critical funding priorities while preserving Pennsylvania's $8 billion Rainy Day Fund.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fall session, the discussion tackles the most pressing unresolved policy debates facing the General Assembly. From the impending mid-October Supreme Court deadline on skill game regulations to ongoing debates surrounding data center regulation, transit funding, attainable housing, and energy reliability, the episode offers a comprehensive look at what to expect.
With fall elections on the horizon, Vescio and Smith share crucial insights on how campaign dynamics will shape bipartisan compromise in the remaining session weeks.
2026 Episodes
Episode 1: What's Ahead from the C & G Strategies Team
Episode 2: Alex Halper of the PA Chamber
Episode 3: Dewey Ianuzzo and Rachel Poorman of the Pittsburgh Towing Association
Episode 4: Brian Kennedy of the Pittsburgh Technology Council
Episode 5: Rep. Justin Fleming and Jen DeBell of PennAEYC
Episode 6: Matt Smith of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Episode 7: Sheriff Kevin Kraus and Todd McGregor and Mike Daniher of Scouting America
Episode 8: Senator Nick Pisciottano and Alan Sisco, ACED Deputy Director
Episode 9: Saleem Ghubril of The Pittsburgh Promise and Leroy Ball of Koppers
Episode 10: Will Pickering of Pittsburgh Water
Episode 11: Jeff Garner of Pittsburgh Riverhounds Sports Group
Episode 12: Dawnelle Mock of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA)
Episode 13: Rep. Jessica Benham and Patrick DeMico, The Provider Alliance
2025 Episodes
Episode 1: Senator Jay Costa, Jr.
Episode 2: Lt Governor Austin Davis and Cara Ciminillo (Trying Together)
Episode 3: Senate Pro Tem Kim Ward and Danielle Ramaley (WATT Fuel Cell)
Episode 4: Senator Joe Pittman, Ali Mills (Plum Contracting) and Rich Barcaskey (CAWP)
Episode 5: Rep. Jesse Topper and Audrey Russo (Pittsburgh Technology Council)
Episode 6: Senator Wayne D. Fontana and Saleem Ghubril (The Pittsburgh Promise)
Episode 7: Dawn Keezer (Pittsburgh Film Office) and Mamie Stein (IATSE Local 489)
Episode 8: Lauren Niehaus (Trulieve) and Meredith Buettner (PA Cannabis Coalition)
Episode 9: Rep. Lindsay Powell, Marc Little (Emery Construction) and Jason Tigano (LEVEL)
Episode 10: Major Marcus Jugenheimer and Adam Kitta (The Salvation Army WPA Division)
Episode 11: Matt Galluzzo (Riverlife) and Rep. Emily Kinkead
Episode 12: C & G Strategies' Tony Crisci and Rob Vescio
Episode 13: Tom Frank (NAIOP Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh Councilmember Erika Strassburger
Episode 14: PA Senator Greg Rothman, Chair of the PA Republicans
Episode 15: Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, Chair of the PA Democrats
Episode 16: Rep. Matt Bradford
Episode 17: Senator Devlin Robinson and Christina Cassotis (ACAA)
Listen and learn on your favorite podcast platforms today.
(And don’t forget to subscribe. New episodes available twice a month – subscribe and don’t miss one.)
