Independent State Agencies
The following Commonwealth agencies providing state publications are independent state agencies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each Commonwealth agency has a link to the state publications of that agency, a link to the agency website, and a download button for a finding aid for that collection, which contains further historical notes, connected agency notes, general notes on copyrighted publications and related Internet Archive publications, etc.
Independent State Agencies
The following Commonwealth agencies providing state publications are independent state agencies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each Commonwealth agency has a link to the state publications of that agency, a link to the agency website, and a download button for a finding aid for that collection, which contains further historical notes, connected agency notes, general notes on copyrighted publications and related Internet Archive publications, etc.
Gaming Control Board
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board works to license and regulate the casino industry in Pennsylvania. The Board is charged with overseeing casino gaming in the Commonwealth, including approving licenses for gaming entities, suppliers, and manufacturers; occupation permits for employees of those entities, suppliers, and manufacturers; and regulations necessary to ensure the integrity of gaming in Pennsylvania. It has general jurisdiction over all casino gaming activities in the Commonwealth.
The publications of the Gaming Control Board contain annual reports. Selected topics from these publications include diversity in gaming. The bulk of the current material is dated from 2014 to 2015.
Download the Gaming Control Board finding aid for further information on agency history, relationships with other state agencies, general notes, etc.
Independent Regulatory Review Commission
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission works to provide oversight and review of all proposed and existing rules and regulations issued by the Commonwealth. The Commission ensures that regulations are in the public interest and whether regulations are cost justifiable, minimal in inflationary impact, non-duplicative of other regulations and conform to legislative intent. The Commission also acts as a clearinghouse for complaints, comments and other input regarding existing regulations, proposed regulations and administrative procedures.
The publications of the Independent Regulatory Review Commission contain annual reports. Selected topics from these publications include yearly agency happenings and statistics. The bulk of the current material is dated from 2006 to present.
Download the Independent Regulatory Review Commission finding aid for further information on agency history, relationships with other state agencies, general notes, etc.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) is both a public corporation and governmental office. The Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, lowand moderate-income families, and people with special needs. The agency promotes community stabilization, revitalization, and economic development while enhancing the availability of high quality, affordable homes and apartments by providing mortgage capital to homebuyers, to developers of rental housing for older adults, people with disabilities, and families with modest incomes, and by funding special initiatives to address housing and community needs and supportive services.
The publications of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency contain annual reports, other reports, newsletters, educational guides, standards, and strategic plans. Selected topics from these publications include PHARE, low-income housing, and elder housing.
Download the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency finding aid for further information on agency history, relationships with other state agencies, general notes, etc.
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is a semi-independent agency which comprises the fourteen publicly owned state universities. The Board of the entity establishes broad fiscal, personnel, and educational policies, as well as procedures of instruction for undergraduate and graduate students to and beyond the master's degree in the liberal arts and sciences, and in the applied fields, including the teaching profession. The agency provides System-wide management in such areas as academic policy and planning, business affairs, faculty and staff affairs, legislative policy, institutional research, legal affairs, capital planning, equal educational opportunities, and advancement.
The publications of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education contain impact studies. Selected topics from these publications include agency impact on economics and employment. The bulk of the current material is dated from 2021.
Download the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education finding aid for further information on agency history, relationships with other state agencies, general notes, etc.
Port of Pittsburgh Commission
The Port of Pittsburgh Commission promotes the commercial use and development of the inland waterway-intermodal transportation system. The Commission works with industry and government to attract new businesses that can benefit from waterway transportation, and it provides support for efforts to leverage federal funding for the US Army Corps of Engineers to maintain and modernize the aging lock and dam infrastructure in the port district. It also plays a fiduciary role in federal grant programs, and it structures private revenue-backed bond issues.
The publications of the Joint State Government Commission contain reports. Selected topics from these publications include analysis of the impact and challenges of the port. The bulk of the current material is dated from 2021.
Download the Port of Pittsburgh Commission finding aid for further information on agency history, relationships with other state agencies, general notes, etc.
Public School Employees' Retirement System
The Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) operates a retirement program for public school employees. Agency responsibilities include collecting member, employer, and State contributions; managing fund assets; and making benefit payments. The System also administers a defined contribution plan. The PSERS Board adopts and promulgates rules and regulations for the uniform administration of the System, and is responsible for the approval of the financial investments of the Retirement Fund.
The publications of the Public School Employees’ Retirement System contain annual reports, financial reports, budget reports, and newsletters for active and retired members. Selected topics from these publications include fiscal year finances, GASB required information, and agency news talking points. The bulk of the current material is dated from 2001 to present.
Download the Public School Employees' Retirement System finding aid for further information on agency history, relationships with other state agencies, general notes, etc.
State Ethics Commission
The State Ethics Commission is responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Law, which states that public office is a public trust and any effort to realize personal financial gain through public office is a violation of that trust. The Commission’s powers and duties include: render opinions to present and former public officials and public employees as to their obligations; investigate alleged violations; receive and review Financial Interest Statements of persons required to file; enforce the reporting and registration provisions of the Lobbying Disclosure Law; and maintain a list of all public officials and executive-level public employees.
The publications of the State Ethics Commission contain annual reports. Selected topics from these publications include lobbying disclosures and ethical violations. The bulk of the current material is dated from 2000 to present.
Download the State Ethics Commission finding aid for further information on agency history, relationships with other state agencies, general notes, etc.
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is an independent entity that coordinates water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin. The Commission aims to be responsive to water resource management needs of the Commission's signatory members; to provide excellent service to the public; to coordinate management of interstate water resources and serve as an effective forum for resolution of water resource issues and controversies within the Basin; and to provide public information and education about the water resources of the Basin. The commission has promulgated regulations regarding consumptive uses of water, groundwater withdrawals and water conservation.
The publications of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission contain strategic plans and reports. Selected topics from these publications include water resource management and surface water analysis. The bulk of the current material is dated from 1987 and 2018.
Download the Susquehanna River Basin Commission finding aid for further information on agency history, relationships with other state agencies, general notes, etc.