Pennsylvania’s Bipartisan Exchange Is Rebuilding Trust in Governance
District exchanges help lawmakers understand communities and build trust across Pennsylvania
The University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics has nearly 40 years of experience working with legislators from different political parties, and it is building on this history by drawing on lessons from the successful American Congressional Exchange model, begun in 2018 at the Bipartisan Policy Center, and from state exchanges now underway in Minnesota and Michigan. The University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, in collaboration with the Bridge Alliance, has launched the Pennsylvania Legislative Exchange.
This state-based, systematic approach is designed to foster better relationships and build trust across the political aisle with the following guiding principles:
- Trust must be intentionally built between the two political parties before they can solve problems.
- Legislators must listen to one another and understad what motivates and concerns their colleagues.
- Shared experiences built on close personal interactions can bring state legislators together, help them identify shared values and goals, and find ways to work together for the common good.
When this happens, it almost always involves sharing information about each legislator’s perspective, their district’s challenges and opportunities, and a shared desire to make things work for all Pennsylvanians. The Pennsylvania Legislative Exchange (PLE) builds on this success and reinforces the idea that Pennsylvania benefits when we work together.
The PLE pairs legislators from opposite parties to visit each other's districts, focusing on districts that differ in geography, economy, culture, politics, and community demographics. The PLE aims to honor these differences, define common problems across communities, and identify shared interests and goals.
PLE trips typically last 12–36 hours, depending on the district’s geographic size. The Institute of Politics (IOP) designs itineraries in collaboration with the host legislator to showcase unique experiences, industries, businesses, institutions, and community leadership within the district. The trips will provide meaningful opportunities for local and county civic, business, education, and faith leaders to connect with the two members. Itineraries may include tours, roundtable conversations, meetings with local civic and community leaders, and shared meals to help legislators better understand a district's economic, social, political, and cultural makeup. The PLE will nurture authentic connections, bipartisan collegiality, and trust across differences.
The host legislator designs visits to reflect key challenges, opportunities, and constituent needs in their communities, and they exclude lobbying activity. Instead, visits are centered on relationship-building and introduction to each other’s district, with an eye toward potential future collaboration that grows organically from what is experienced on the
The Pennsylvania Exchange is built on a simple yet powerful premise: when lawmakers step outside the Capitol and into one another’s communities, they see the Commonwealth—and each other—with fresh eyes. Each bipartisan visit focuses on the issues that matter most to Pennsylvanians. By grounding itineraries in local, regional, and statewide policy concerns, participating legislators confront real challenges together and begin identifying solutions that can make a tangible difference back in Harrisburg.
These exchanges are uniquely valuable because of the diversity of the participants. Lawmakers come from regions shaped by distinct histories, industries, economies, and natural resources. As they travel across these varied landscapes, they gain a deeper appreciation for the perspectives that define Pennsylvania’s political and cultural mosaic. They discover not only the differences that shape their constituencies but also the unexpected commonalities that can form the basis for a shared purpose.
During each visit, policymakers hear directly from local leaders, residents, and stakeholders—voices often missing or overlooked in statewide debates. These conversations surface new priorities and reveal areas of alignment that transcend partisan politics. Participants often discover shared interests they didn’t know they had, along with policy ideas that emerge organically from Pennsylvanians' lived experiences.
By the end of each exchange, lawmakers return to Harrisburg with more than goodwill. They carry concrete ideas for legislative action—sparked by joint exploration, honest dialogue, and the recognition that durable solutions are possible when leaders see the Commonwealth through one another’s eyes. The Pennsylvania Exchange strengthens relationships, broadens understanding, and equips policymakers to craft bipartisan legislation grounded in the realities of the communities they serve.
