Podcast Summary: Talking Feds – Josh Shapiro’s Game Plan

Podcast: Talking Feds
Host: Harry Litman
Guest: Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania
Date: February 19, 2026
Episode Description:
Harry Litman sits down for a one-on-one conversation with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, exploring his pragmatic approach to governing, recent state and national political crises, his bipartisan appeal, legal showdowns with the federal government, and his new book’s message of hope.

Main Theme

This episode provides an in-depth discussion with Governor Josh Shapiro focusing on urgent policy challenges in Pennsylvania—such as energy costs and the housing crisis—his approach to bipartisan governance, responses to aggressive federal actions under the Trump administration, and his staunch defense of constitutional rights, especially around voter data and detention centers. The episode balances policy “nerdiness” with a candid exploration of threats to American democracy and the importance of finding hope and light in public service.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tackling Energy Costs in Pennsylvania

• Background: The Northeast’s cold winter has led to high heating bills. Utilities and the regional grid operator, PJM, play a significant role in determining rates.
• Shapiro’s Action: As Governor (and previously as Attorney General), Shapiro sued PJM to cap consumer rates, then coordinated with governors from 13 states and the White House to extend this cap.
• Impact:
  • "For a Pennsylvania average homeowner, over the next four years, you’re going to save $600 or more. That’s real savings." – Shapiro [04:20]
• Nerdy Details: The bulk of people’s bills are determined not by personal usage, but by the rates set by utility companies and the grid operator.
  • "It’s important for folks to understand that this PJM...they’ve been going crazy raising rates recently, and we finally held them accountable." – Shapiro [05:05]
• Bipartisan Coordination: Shapiro worked with both Democratic and Republican governors for this success.

2. Ambitious Housing Reform Plan

• Challenge: Aging housing stock ("50% of all of our housing in Pennsylvania was built before 1950") and insufficient supply, risking a shortfall of 185,000 units by 2035.
• Solution Components:
  • $1 Billion Fund: Targeted at constructing new affordable housing to increase supply.
  • Private Equity Accountability: Aggressive reforms to prevent private equity from exploiting manufactured home communities, where lease hikes have hurt nearly 100,000 Pennsylvanians.
  • Tenant Protections: Proposals to balance power between landlords and tenants.
• Notable Moment:
  • "We've got nearly 100,000 Pennsylvanians who live in these manufactured home communities who are getting screwed by private equity. We’re going to reform that." – Shapiro [07:18]

3. Bipartisan Governing & Outreach to Trump Voters

• Personal Backstory: Shapiro’s career began in a heavily Republican district, shaping his approach of "listening and turning frustration into action."
• Formula for Success:
  • "Show up in a community...listen with respect, and then show the results of our work. That’s the get shit done mentality that I have and that I deploy every day." – Shapiro [10:18]
• Result: 60% approval in Pennsylvania—including 30% of Trump voters—due to his responsiveness rather than policymaking agreement.

4. Preparing for Federal "Invasion" and Preserving Constitutional Rights

• Context: Under the Trump administration’s surges in Illinois, Minnesota, and elsewhere, federal actions have been labeled “invasions” and faced constitutional challenges.
• Lessons from Minnesota: The mission was “failed” and “undermined people’s constitutional rights,” resulting in tragic deaths.
  • "That mission...it resulted in the deaths of Ms. Good and Mr. Preddy. It...should have never started." – Shapiro [13:10]
• Readiness in Pennsylvania:
  • "For months, my team and I have been preparing should something like that happen in our commonwealth...we are prepared." – Shapiro [14:10]
• Broader Concern:
  • "The idea that...we are now having to prepare for a federal invasion...should shock the conscience of every common sense thinker in this country." – Shapiro [16:23]
  • Memorable moment, reflecting fear and incredulity at current political reality.

5. Resisting Federal Detention Centers in Pennsylvania

• Situation: ICE secretly bought properties in Berks and Schuylkill counties for “super detention centers,” with no advance notice to state or local officials.
• Shapiro’s Position:
  • "No one is for this. And by the way, not to be partisan, but those communities are represented by Republican leaders who have spoken out against this.”
• Actions Taken: Letter sent to Secretary Noem outlining legal arguments (including zoning, capacity, water use) to block construction.
  • "If you load up that facility with the 7,500 or so detainees that they want there...the water that they would consume...would drain the entire reservoir for the area within 24 hours." – Shapiro [20:37]

6. Protecting Pennsylvania Voter Data

• Federal Demands: The Department of Justice demanded all private info (SSNs, driver’s license numbers) on over 9 million voters in Pennsylvania.
• Shapiro’s Response:
  • "There is no way I’m trusting Donald Trump with your private personal information, because if past is prologue, the Trump administration will use it for bad reasons." – Shapiro [23:20]
• Legal Fight: Shapiro and Secretary of State Al Schmidt are resolute in refusing, recalling how Shapiro successfully fought 43 Trump lawsuits in 2020 to protect election integrity.

7. Finding Light in Times of Darkness—Book Release

• Reason for Writing: Inspired by everyday Pennsylvanians’ good deeds and a desire to highlight hope amidst prevailing “darkness and division” in the media and politics.
• Personal Trauma: Candidly recounts a violent attack where an individual broke into the governor’s residence with intent to murder.
  • Despite this, Shapiro emphasizes the outpouring of solidarity across faiths and communities as a reaffirmation of goodness.
  • "Within moments of experiencing that, we again saw a tremendous amount of light...I think there’s a lot of goodness in the world and I hope this book helps people see that and appreciate it." – Shapiro [26:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Energy Savings:

  • "For a Pennsylvania average homeowner, over the next four years, you’re going to save $600 or more. That’s real savings." – Shapiro [04:20]

• On Private Equity in Housing:

  • "These manufactured home communities...the land that it sits on, they’re effectively leasing from someone. Private equities come in and bought up a ton of that land and tripling the lease amounts...you’re getting screwed." – Shapiro [07:11]

• Governance Approach:

  • "Show up in a community...listen with respect, and then show the results of our work." – Shapiro [10:18]

• On the Threat of Federal Overreach:

  • "That should shock the conscience of every common sense thinker in this country." – Shapiro [16:23]

• On Protecting Voters’ Data:

  • "There is no way I’m trusting Donald Trump with your private personal information..." – Shapiro [23:20]

• On Hope Amid Threats:

  • "Within moments of experiencing that, we again saw a tremendous amount of light...I hope this book helps people see that and appreciate it." – Shapiro [26:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:08] – Energy costs and PJM legal battle and rate cap extension
• [06:19] – Pennsylvania’s housing plan and private equity reform
• [09:38] – Shapiro’s lessons from governing in GOP areas, approach to bridging divides
• [12:55] – Federal “invasions,” Minnesota precedent, Pennsylvania’s state of readiness
• [18:10] – Secret ICE super detention centers; legal battle to block them
• [22:27] – Federal demand for PA voter data; Shapiro’s legal opposition
• [25:18] – Book message: finding hope and light despite recent personal attack

Tone and Language

The episode alternates between policy deep-dives and frank, sometimes emotional, reflections on the challenges of governing in unprecedented political times. Shapiro’s language is direct, accessible, and passionate, blending “nerdy” policy details with urgency about safeguarding democracy and basic decency.

In Summary:
This conversation with Governor Josh Shapiro is a master class in practical, bipartisan governance under extreme political pressure. Shapiro outlines precise policy strategies for local issues and demonstrates legal acumen and moral clarity in confronting national-level federal overreach. The episode closes with a call to find light in dark times and a reminder of the optimism and resilience at the heart of public service.