AI is already reshaping the world around us and local government is next. The real challenge isn’t buying the right software. It’s investing in the people who will carry the work forward. What will make the difference is leadership that creates space for learning, failure, and growth.

Democracy isn’t just about voting, it’s about showing up for each other. Civic life lives in small, consistent acts of care. It means taking responsibility for the place you call home. wix.to/FaGAXOb

We romanticize the image of settlers heading west pushing into the unknown. It wasn’t just ambition that built this country. It was the idea that we could build a better future together. That spirit of reaching outward shaped America. It’s that same spirit we’re now at risk of losing. wix.to/HYHfhYk

A Dark Sky ordinance aims to reduce light trespass, glare, and skyglow, improving the visibility of the night sky, enhancing safety, saving energy, and promoting environmental sustainability. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/c...

I lived in Russia and saw firsthand the quiet fear left behind by authoritarian rule. I see echoes of that in Trump’s war on truth and threats against democratic institutions. If we are to to preserve what makes America worth fighting for, we need to stand up to the threat.

Pennsylvania is aging, shrinking, and stretched thin. We can’t tax-cut our way to growth. The way forward is to build: more housing, stronger schools, smarter transit, and real regional collaboration. We have the people and the tools, we just need the clarity of purpose and courage to act.

Great conversation today on WPXI with host Bill Flanagan and Lydia Morin, Executive Director of CONNECT. Lydia and I joined Bill to discuss the potential impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill on local governments and how local governments across our region are working together to meet this moment.

The Constitution wasn’t built for spectacle, it was built to function. That’s the promise we have to keep. From busted budgets to broken trust, we still have a chance to fix what matters. But it’s going to take less noise, more work, and a whole lot of fence-mending.

Local governments are being asked to solve some of the biggest challenges of our time without the tools, structure, or support to do it well. We do not have to wait for permission from Harrisburg or Washington. We can build something better right here if we choose to work together.

No kings. No cults. Just us. Just community. Just the shared belief that democracy is not a relic, but a responsibility.

We don’t just build civic spaces—they build us. Parks, plazas, sidewalks, firehouses: these are the quiet foundations of healthy, connected communities. Public space matters more than ever. We need to build it to last. www.andrewflynnpa.com/post/the-com...

Toastique in Mt Lebanon! Welcome to town!

Federal cuts are coming—and the state won’t be far behind. We need to get smart now about regional collaboration, shared services, and consolidated tax bases. Fragmentation isn’t localism—it’s a liability. Let’s build systems that work. #PApol #LocalGov #FiscalFuture #AlleghenyCounty

Spending the morning at the CONNECT Tree Canopy Alliance Meeting at the beautiful @treepgh.bsky.social site—learning how we can grow and protect our urban forests across the region. 🌳 Grateful for the work happening to make our communities greener, healthier, and more storm-resilient. #urbanforestry

I joined the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department to give back—but I’ve gotten so much more in return. From fire calls to EMS runs, this volunteer service has connected me to our community in a powerful way. Here’s what I’ve learned about service, neighbors, and why showing up matters.

Southwest Pennsylvania is facing a new era of infrastructure challenges shaped by shifting weather patterns, aging systems, and rising economic risks. Our region can respond, not by patching the past, but by investing in forward-thinking solutions that build for the future.

Our firefighters run towards danger to protect us- many of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice while responding to the call. On International Firefighters Day we remember those who passed in the line of duty and thank the firefighters who continue to protect from fires and emergencies.

It is time for our region to join together and demand a path forward for undergrounding all utilities. Storms are becoming more frequent and it’s not only a safety issue, it’s an economic barrier when we have antiquated infrastructure that’s prone to outages. We can do better.

Paris has radically reimagined what a city can be—prioritizing people over cars, air quality over congestion, and livability over speed. Their success wasn’t inevitable; it was the result of bold leadership, smart investment, and a willingness to embrace change even when it was hard. #Transportation

Earth Day isn’t just about recycling or planting trees—it’s a quiet but radical call to think long-term in a short-term world. In a culture obsessed with speed, Earth Day asks us to slow down and remember our role not just as citizens, but as custodians. wix.to/eospHwR #EarthDay2025

It was great hosting Governor Shapiro, @lgaustindavis.bsky.social, @deluzio.house.gov and so many others who are working to support fire services across Pennsylvania today.

I stand with Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Pittsburgh’s transit system is at a crossroads and the stakes go far beyond buses and schedules. Our region can’t grow, attract jobs, or compete without a transit network built for today’s economy. PRT needs a strategic realignment — and those who benefit most from it must step up and invest.

Governments across the U.S. are quietly grappling with the coming local fallout of the Trump tariffs. 💡 Cities can’t wait for the dust to settle. The future will be built locally—and it starts with smart, adaptive leadership today. #LocalGovernment #MunicipalFinance #Tariffs

Economic entanglement is not naïveté—it is strategy. It is the recognition that prosperity and peace are not opposites, but allies. And that the true measure of sovereignty lies not in how high a nation can raise its walls, but in how confidently it can walk among others, unafraid.

I had the distinct pleasure to kick-off the 2025 Utilities & Critical Infrastructure Summit hosted by CONNECT (www.connectgovs.org) that brought together regional municipal, utility, and public safety leaders to address the challenges of Southwest Pennsylvania's critical infrastructure.

Defending government’s role is not enough. We must prove that government can be an engine of efficiency, innovation, and responsiveness.

For decades, the U.S. thrived on free trade, but Congress failed to modernize tax policies, leaving many behind. Populists like Trump now use tariffs to placate workers while benefiting elites. The real fix? Tax and economic reforms that ensure all Americans share in globalization’s gains.

The thought experiment that haunts my nights: a possible grand bargain between Trump, Putin, and Xi, and the implications it would have for the U.S.-led economic order.

Spending time with Medical Rescue Team South Authority made one thing clear: the people in the EMS profession will always show up. They will always do the work. The question is whether we will build a system that makes it possible for them to keep doing it. And that, ultimately, is up to us.

No rare earth minerals required.

Got to check out a EV Hybrid Fire Engine. Pretty impressive technology! But not cheap…

A republic that abandons prudence in favor of bombast courts economic stagnation and global instability. #Nationalism #Populist #Trade #ForeignPolicy

NATO is one of the most significant contributors to American economic and national security in modern history. It stabilizes markets, deters costly wars, and ensures that the #USA doesn’t have to face its adversaries alone. And yet, we find ourselves, questioning whether it’s worth the cost.

What better day to celebrate your wife than #ValentinesDay. You’re amazing @flycorey.bsky.social ! Definitely my MVP! Congratulations on the work you’re doing to lead the next generation toward their futures.

I had the opportunity to join The Muni Lowdown podcast to dive into some of the challenges and opportunities facing local governments in 2025. I really enjoyed sharing my thoughts with Paul Greaves and Stephanie Fagnani.

The American political conversation is, more often than not, a debate about federal power. But as the federal government pulls back—whether through budget cuts, rising debt burdens, or a shift in political priorities—State and local governments must step forward.

America has thrived when it has had the courage to construct what is needed for the future. It's time to reinvigorate our desire to build. open.substack.com/pub/andrewfl...

#Facts #StrangerThings

Local government is even more important in times of turbulence.

Reviving Suburbs for Livability, Walkability, and Economic Vibrance open.substack.com/pub/andrewfl...

America’s downtowns are in trouble. After decades of suburban sprawl, e-commerce’s rise, and a pandemic that emptied office towers, the economic and social heart of many cities is faltering. But the solution to this problem might not be some grand infrastructure project or corporate headquarters.

So this happened last night. I’m a real firefighter now. 😁

Went for a hike in Schenley Park. Crisp weather but perfect company. @flycorey.bsky.social

Serving your community doesn’t have to mean a job with a paycheck. #Volunteering comes in many forms and is critical to building the strong bonds that bring people together to make our communities a better place.

Home sick today. Really enjoying scrolling Bluesky. Quite refreshing.