That funding applies to the fiscal year running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and represents a 40 percent increase over last year’s appropriation of roughly $8.2 million, according to Daniel Egan, director of communications for the Office of Administration. Egan said the investment will allow CODE PA to “continue work on large enterprise initiatives."
Although CODE PA often works behind the scenes, its efforts touch nearly every corner of state government — from permit applications to public-facing websites and digital tools that residents rely on for benefits, tax information and program eligibility. One of the administration’s main arguments for continued investment is the office’s financial track record. Since its launch, CODE PA has saved the state more than $10 million, according to officials, by relying on internal staff to build digital systems rather than outsourcing them.
Bryanna Pardoe, the state CIO and former executive director of CODE PA, said in a news release that national recognition reflects the team’s approach to designing services around what residents need.
“CODE PA has established itself as a national leader by building digital services that truly serve Pennsylvanians — making it easier for people to access the resources they need, when they need them,” she said.
She added that their efforts thus far show progress toward Gov. Shapiro’s goals of “innovation, efficiency and putting people first,” and that CODE PA is “working to bring Pennsylvanians closer to their state government with online services that reflect their lived experiences and meet them where they are.”
These efforts can be seen in projects like PAyback, an online tool launched in late 2023 that lets applicants track typical turnaround times for permits, licenses and certifications, and request a refund if delays exceed the standard window.
Now building on those initial successes, CODE PA has collaborated with state agencies to introduce a broader range of digital tools and services. Among them are a fully online clemency application, web-based eligibility checks for the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy, a searchable statewide grant directory, a property tax and rent rebate lookup system, and a simplified process for residents to request independent medical reviews when insurance claims are denied.
And even as CODE PA develops additional tools, its work on pa.gov remains potentially the most immediately visible to residents. Over seven months, CODE PA consolidated dozens of previously separate agency websites into a single, coordinated platform. The updated site now features a centralized directory listing more than 1,000 services, organized by categories aligned with common life events and user groups.
Egan said that beyond pa.gov, the major focus for the coming year will be enterprise permitting, enterprise grants and the single-login platform, which are expected to see significant improvements, as well as new digital projects in the coming months.
Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to reflect the enactment of Pennsylvania’s 2025-2026 state budget in November.
