Jan. 22, 2021Dan Gleiter / PennLiveActing Pa. victim advocate resigns after rejection by GOP-led Senateby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAJennifer Storm, who has held the position since 2013, called her decision to leave at the end of the month “gut-wrenching” and said the Senate’s move was politically motivated.
Jan. 21, 2021Sara Simon / Spotlight PAQ&A: Meet Pennsylvania’s new public records czarby Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PALiz Wagenseller will lead an office that plays a critical role for journalists and citizens whose requests for these records are denied, they believe, unfairly.
Jan. 15, 2021TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerRedistricting will be the definitive political fight of 2021 in Pennsylvania. Here’s how it’ll work.by Marie Albiges of Spotlight PAThe state is set to lose a congressional seat. The representation of millions of people is on the line. And Republicans will have to do what seems impossible — get along with Democrats.
Jan. 14, 2021Mark Pynes / PennLiveLaw enforcement in Pa. preparing for possible unrest despite ‘no specific threats’ to the Capitolby Joseph Darius Jaafari of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PACapitol Police have increased security at the complex in Harrisburg and erected barriers near the main building.
Jan. 13, 2021ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Philadelphia InquirerPa. GOP lawmakers want voters to give them the power to end governor’s emergency ordersby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe proposed constitutional amendment is the result of long-festering resentment against Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf over his actions to control the coronavirus pandemic.
Jan. 13, 2021Christopher Millette / PennLiveAngered by Pa. Supreme Court rulings, GOP moves to exert more control over judiciary branchby Marie Albiges of Spotlight PAThe majority party has made overhauling the courts a priority after a slew of unsuccessful litigation involving the administration of the 2020 election as well as the coronavirus pandemic.
Jan. 12, 2021CHRISTINE BAKER / The Patriot-NewsNew Pa. GOP leader pushes transparency reforms despite party’s past reluctance, obstructionby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Brad Bumsted and Sam Janesch of The CaucusSen. Jake Corman wants to enact new transparency measures to restore trust in the legislature. But skeptics counter that the GOP has for years allowed reform efforts to fail.
Jan. 6, 2021JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerRepublican leaders in Pa. Senate ask Congress to delay Electoral College countby Marie Albiges of Spotlight PAPresident Pro Tempore Jake Corman and Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward said certain “inconsistencies” with how the election was run in Pennsylvania still need to be investigated.
Jan. 5, 2021JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerPa. GOP senators refuse to seat Democrat and remove Lt. Gov. Fetterman from presidingby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe new session of the Pennsylvania Senate got off to a chaotic start Tuesday, with Republicans refusing to seat a Democratic senator whose election victory has been certified by state officials.
Jan. 5, 2021KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerFrustrated by the Pa. legislature? How obscure rules kill reforms and fuel partisan gridlockby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe rules put much of the power in the hands of the majority party, which Democrats and good-government groups said effectively stifles the voices of many Pennsylvanians.
Jan. 4, 2021James Robinson / Pennsylvania Senate Democratic CaucusGOP leaders in Pa. Senate will refuse to seat Democrat certified by state as winnerby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe top Republican in the Senate said a decision in a legal challenge brought by Brewster’s GOP challenger is necessary before the chamber can swear in a winner.
Dec. 31, 2020DAVID SWANSON / Philadelphia InquirerFormer Pa. Gov. Dick Thornburgh dies at 88by Andy Wallace of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAHis death was confirmed by his son David Thornburgh, who said the former governor died Thursday morning at Longwood at Oakmont, a retirement community outside of Pittsburgh.
Dec. 23, 2020TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerAs he seeks to overturn Pa.’s election, Trump invites GOP senators to White House lunchby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe invitation from the White House for Wednesday’s luncheon was sent to every Republican in the GOP-controlled chamber.
Dec. 15, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerAs coronavirus hits home, Pa. GOP shifts messaging but still rejects mandatesby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAStill, at least two Republican lawmakers said Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 diagnosis was proof masks and other mitigation efforts don’t work.
Dec. 10, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesWolf temporarily suspends Pa. indoor dining, school sportsby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAThe 4 p.m. announcement comes as confirmed coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania continue to break records, and hospitals struggle with rising admissions and a potential staffing crisis.
Dec. 8, 2020Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PAFirm ran Pa. senator’s campaign and worked with super PAC to attack opponent, but denies coordinationby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch of The CaucusCoordination between independent expenditure groups and political campaigns is forbidden. But weak state and federal campaign finance rules and meager oversight create gray areas and loopholes.
Dec. 4, 2020Dan Gleiter / The Patriot-NewsGOP leaders ask Congress to reject Pa.’s electors for Joe Bidenby Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe effort is another attempt by Republican lawmakers to undermine the outcome of November’s election.
Dec. 3, 2020Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAPandemic, partisan attacks exposed gaps in Pa.’s new mail-in voting lawby Marie Albiges for Spotlight PAWhile many lawmakers agree changes are needed, finding common ground in the current hyper-partisan climate might be difficult — if not impossible.
Dec. 2, 2020JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia Inquirer‘Mistakes were made’ at maskless election hearing held by COVID-positive lawmaker, Pa. Senate leader saysby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PABreaking his silence, top GOP Sen. Jake Corman said his office is reviewing how the hearing was organized and executed.
Nov. 27, 2020Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPresident Trump invited Pa. lawmakers to the White House. Then everyone went silent.by William Bender of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAPresident Donald Trump summoned state lawmakers to the White House to talk about the election, but those who went weren't talking about it later.
Nov. 20, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerPa. budget doesn’t raise taxes or bail out industries hit by the coronavirusby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAHouse lawmakers were forced to vote remotely after additional COVID-19 cases were identified in the Capitol, sources said.
Nov. 20, 2020Joe Hermitt / The Patriot-NewsPa. lawmaker claims Capitol unsafe after fifth member tests positive for COVID-19by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PARep. Jim Gregory (R., Blair) announced Thursday evening he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Nov. 19, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerRemaining $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash to prop up Pa. state budget rather than help ailing industriesby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe action comes after outside groups like restaurants and hospitals have for months urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to use more of the relief funds to support them.
Nov. 19, 2020Kalim A. Bhatti / The Philadelphia InquirerWith $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash left to spend, the Pa. government might be the big winnerby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAA long line of service providers and industries — including restaurant owners — are still seeking coronavirus bailouts, but increasingly fear the cash might go toward the state’s budget.
Nov. 18, 2020Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. GOP advances audit of 2020 election, says it’s not about fraudby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAA resolution tasks a bipartisan committee that holds subpoena power with compiling a report on issues and “inconsistencies,” and hiring a firm to audit the vote.
Partisan primaries are fueling our political dysfunction but they can be fixed, new book saysAttendApr 19
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