Pennsylvania taxpayers would pay nearly $2,100 each for President Trump's mass deportation push, per a new calculator from the Economic Policy Institute.

Why it matters: The estimate fuels debate over whether billions of federal dollars devoted to deportations could instead fund other public priorities such as health care or housing.

By the numbers: Instead of contributing $9.4 billion, or $2,064 per taxpayer, on mass deportations, the calculator finds Pennsylvania taxpayers could fund 31,202 school teachers, 32,610 firefighters or 295,520 people on Medicaid.

• That money could also cover 4.3 million SNAP recipients.
• In Allegheny County, where roughly 26,000 people are expected to lose Medicaid coverage next year under new federal rules, more than $1 billion in taxpayer spending — $2,313 per taxpayer — could fund Medicaid for 33,883 people, per the tool.

How it works: EPI estimated each area's share of federal income taxes to calculate how much taxpayers in each state, county and city would contribute to deportation spending.

Context: The $268.9 billion the administration is slated to spend over the course of Trump's second term on deportations is from a combination of money from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, regular appropriations and other repurposed funds.

• DHS told Axios in July that the government spends roughly $18,000 per non-voluntary deportation.

Zoom out: American taxpayers would broadly pay about $2,358 each for President Trump's mass deportation push, per the tool.

• Nearly 12 million could receive Medicaid.

What they're saying: "... There are a lot of people who are struggling to not be hungry, to have affordable housing, kids are in overcrowded classrooms, people don't have health insurance, and those are the things that matter most," Gordon Lafer, a research associate at EPI, tells Axios.

The other side: A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Axios in a statement that the Biden administration ignored the costs of illegal immigration and said the department's self-deportation program saves taxpayers roughly $13,000 per removal compared with non-voluntary removals.

What's next

Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill gave Pennsylvania another glimpse of his budding bromance with Gov. Josh Shapiro, who makes a cameo in the rapper's latest video, "Nightmares to Dreams."

Why it matters: It's another high-profile appearance for Shapiro as he seeks re-election this year and builds a national profile amid speculation about his future presidential ambitions.

Catch up quick: The two have known each other since at least 2023.

• That's when Mill — one of Philly's most beloved rappers — appeared alongside Shapiro as the governor signed a probation reform bill the rapper championed after his own experience with the criminal justice system following his 2008 drug and weapons convictions.

Driving the news: The recent footage was filmed during Mill's appearance at last month's One Philly Unity Concert for America, where the rapper performed a high-energy set in the early morning hours.

Reality check: Shapiro hardly needs the extra publicity this year.

• He's published a memoir, hosted the World Cup, landed a basketball legend and made primetime appearances, including on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert."

What they're saying: Shapiro isn't just the governor of an important swing state anymore, political commentator Randall Miller tells Axios. He's become a bona fide celebrity in his own right.

• "It's an attention grabber" that keeps the governor in the public eye.

Go deeper

👀 Amazon is eyeing Homer City's proposed natural gas-fired power plant in Indiana County for a potential data center campus, part of its $20 billion investment in Pennsylvania.

• Developers last year announced plans to convert the former Homer City Generating Station into a 4.5-gigawatt gas power plant and data center about an hour east of Pittsburgh. (TribLive)

💰 Pittsburgh Controller Rachael Heisler reported last week that city finances are showing signs of improvement, but the margins are tight and there is little room for missteps. (KDKA Radio)

🧪 Pitt says terminated NIH grants have cost the school about $40 million so far. (🔐 Post-Gazette)

Pittsburgh-based paint giant PPG is expanding an automotive coatings manufacturing facility in central Ohio and investing $280 million.

Why it matters: The expansion will boost production and add 100 jobs to the site in Delaware, Ohio, located 40 minutes north of Columbus, per a PPG press release.

By the numbers: The Delaware coatings plant, which currently supports 450 jobs, will expand by 100,000 square feet.

Zoom in: The new facility will use advanced automation technology, digital manufacturing capabilities, and more energy-efficient processes to increase production, per PPG.

• The company broke ground last week.

Zoom out: The company is the second-largest paint and coatings company in the world, behind Sherwin-Williams, per Polaris Market Research.

What's next: Operations are expected to begin by 2028.

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Raise a glass to my favorite new local beer.

The intrigue: Raise It is a West Coast-style IPA from Cinderlands that is sold exclusively at PNC Park.

Bottoms up: It's crisp, bitter and strong (7% ABV), with enough sweetness to carry you through several innings.

• Order Raise It at the Cinderlands Bar near section 139.

The bottom line: Even if the Buccos aren't raising the Jolly Roger with some wins, it's always satisfying raising a brew with a skyline view.