March 6, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerWhat to expect from Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposalby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe first-term Democrat is expected to pitch more money for child care and a tax break for teachers in a plan that must win bipartisan support.
March 3, 2023The Office of Governor Tom Wolf / FlickrPa. lawmaker accused of sexual harassment says he won’t resign, will seek treatment for ‘illness’by Spotlight PA StaffIn a letter to state House Democratic leadership, Mike Zabel said he was “mindful of and saddened by the sensitive and disturbing allegations against me.”
March 1, 2023JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerNew Pa. House rules expand who can file a sexual harassment complaint against lawmakersby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAOther changes to the chamber’s rules include less power for committee chairs and stricter regulation of constitutional amendments.
March 1, 2023The Office of Governor Tom Wolf / FlickrLobbyist says she was sexually harassed by Pa. lawmaker Mike Zabel, calls on him to resignby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAAndi Perez, a lobbyist for Service Employees International Union 32BJ, said she shared her story to urge changes to state House ethics rules.
Feb. 28, 2023Alejandro A. Alvarez / Philadelphia InquirerJoanna McClinton elected first female speaker of the Pa. House as Mark Rozzi steps downby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PARozzi, a Berks County Democrat who was elected in a surprise deal engineered by Republicans, said he wanted to make way for McClinton.
Feb. 27, 2023House Democratic CaucusThe Pa. House is getting ready to consider critical chamber rules. Here’s what you need to know.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAAs a vote on the rules approaches, some state House Democrats are unsure about giving the GOP meaningful power to influence policymaking.
Feb. 24, 2023Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia InquirerShapiro admin can do more as rollbacks to food and health benefits loom in Pa., experts sayby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAMillions of Pennsylvanians will soon get less money to buy food, and hundreds of thousands could lose their government health insurance.
Feb. 22, 2023David Maialetti / Philadelphia InquirerShapiro admin contends taking Super Bowl tickets from group that gets state money didn’t violate governor’s own gift banby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe ban, enacted by Gov. Josh Shapiro, prevents him from taking pricey tickets from people or groups with “financial relations” with Pennsylvania.
Feb. 20, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerThe Pa. House is coming back with a Democratic majority. Will it finally be able to move forward?by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe chamber will return this week to focus on providing legal relief to sexual abuse survivors, but leaders are still debating what permanent rules to govern the chamber should look like.
Feb. 16, 2023JAMES BLOCKER / Philadelphia InquirerTop gaming regulators in Pa. met with industry lobbyists before coming out against a casino competitorby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe state Gaming Control Board, which previously took no position on the legality of skill games despite casino opposition, reversed course after their meeting with Parx Casino representatives.
Feb. 14, 2023Steven M. Falk / Philadelphia InquirerShapiro sat courtside at a Sixers game with a donor. His campaign called it a ‘political meeting.’by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAA spokesperson for Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wouldn't say who paid for the pricey tickets, but said the expenses will be reported as an in-kind campaign contribution.
Feb. 13, 2023ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Philadelphia Inquirer5 ways Pa.’s marijuana laws could change in 2023by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAThe Pennsylvania legislature is considering everything from expanding who can get medical marijuana to full legalization. Here’s what you need to know.
Feb. 10, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerTracking Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s biggest campaign promisesby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PANew Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro made a lot of promises on the campaign trail. As Shapiro begins the work of governing, Spotlight PA is tracking his progress keeping them.
Feb. 9, 2023Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PACourt won’t force Pa. to release voter info for 2020 election inquiry. That doesn’t mean it’s over.by Carter Walker of VotebeatIt’s uncertain where the decision leaves the state Senate GOP’s 2020 election review, which has languished for much of the past year while the subpoena dispute has moved through the courts.
Feb. 9, 2023TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerShapiro, Pa. lawmakers may face multibillion-dollar budget question after major school funding rulingby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAA judge says Pennsylvania's school funding system so badly underfunds poor districts that it violates the state constitution, handing Gov. Josh Shapiro and the legislature a major challenge.
Feb. 7, 2023Jose F. Moreno / Philadelphia InquirerDemocrats sweep special elections, affirming first Pa. House majority in 12 yearsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PADemocrats have won three special elections for Pennsylvania’s state House, which means they officially control the chamber after a month-long impasse with Republicans.
Feb. 6, 2023Tyger WilliamsPa. House control will likely be decided by special elections this weekby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe Pennsylvania state House has been unable to function for a month. Three special elections this week could end the standoff, though big questions remain.
Feb. 3, 2023ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvanians were asked what they want to change about the state House. Their answer: less partisan deadlock.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAAs the Pennsylvania state House remains deadlocked, members of the public told Speaker Mark Rozzi they want more bipartisan cooperation, open primaries, and less reliance on constitutional amendments.
Jan. 31, 2023Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAWATCH: ‘How Harrisburg Works’ explains Pennsylvania special electionsby Spotlight PA StaffSpotlight PA spoke with a state representative about how special elections work in Pennsylvania and why they matter.
Jan. 27, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerLobbyist says she was harassed by current Pa. lawmaker, wants legislature to change misconduct rulesby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAA woman who works for one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent unions said a state lawmaker sexually harassed her, but internal rules prevented her from bringing a complaint.
Jan. 25, 2023House Democratic CaucusHopes of bipartisan cooperation give way to complete deadlock in the Pa. Houseby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAWith Pennsylvania's state House likely deadlocked until next month, Republicans argue, Democrats wait, and constitutional amendments languish.
Jan. 20, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerPa. Gov. Josh Shapiro loosens his predecessor’s notoriously strict gift ban for top officialsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAGov. Tom Wolf’s gift ban barred officials from accepting even water bottles. New Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro has announced new, more permissive rules.
Jan. 19, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerPa. Gov. Josh Shapiro fills executive staff with loyal allies, political veteransby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe new governor’s top advisors will be instrumental in helping Shapiro deliver on campaign promises like raising the minimum wage and cracking down on illegal guns.
Jan. 18, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerWho has Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro nominated for his cabinet? (Full list)by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe proposed cabinet would assemble people from across the ideological spectrum who already have experience at top levels of government and public service.
Jan. 17, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesDemocrat Josh Shapiro sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 48th governorby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAShapiro pledged to deliver on promises of growing the economy, decreasing gun violence, and ending the opioid epidemic.
Partisan primaries are fueling our political dysfunction but they can be fixed, new book saysAttendApr 19
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