Oct. 3, 2022CAMERON B. POLLACK / Philadelphia Inquirer PhotoChronically ill patients could get easier access to new treatments if Pa. lawmakers act soonby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PASupporters say the bill will allow medical providers to spend more time on care rather than fighting with insurance companies, but time is running out to pass it before the session ends.
Sept. 27, 2022CHARLES FOX / Philadelphia InquirerPa. election 2022: There will be no constitutional amendments on the Nov. 8 ballot, but big ones are loomingby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAVoters could face at least six proposed referendums in spring 2023, including one that could pave the way to banning abortion access.
Sept. 23, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerLooming election jolts Harrisburg into action as Pa. lawmakers pass a flurry of bills, cash in on fundraisersby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe GOP-led legislature moved five bills authored by the party’s gubernatorial candidate, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, forcing Democrats to choose between policies they might support and bolstering the record of their political opponent.
Sept. 19, 2022BLAINE SHAHAN | LNP/LancasterOnlineSkill games company woos Pa. lawmakers with trips to wild Wyoming rodeoby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAIn the ongoing war of cash and influence between skill game operators and casinos, state lawmakers and their campaign coffers are benefitting handsomely.
Sept. 15, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAEfforts to ban, restrict LGBTQ curriculum in Pa. schools hinge on who becomes the next governorby Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PAEducators fear a Florida-like proposed ban on elementary school instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation will teach children that being part of the LGBTQ community is wrong. Proponents contend it’s about “parental rights.”
Sept. 14, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerClandestine plan to force a vote on Pa. legislative gift ban fails, lawmakers shrugby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAAdvocates have long pushed to place limits on the monetary value of gifts lobbyists can give to lawmakers, but it would take action from the people who benefit most.
Sept. 9, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerHow Harrisburg Works: The rules for Pa. lawmaker per diems, speaker v. leader, and other Q&Asby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PASpotlight PA’s Stephen Caruso wants to help you understand how the sausage really gets made, how your tax dollars are spent, and how Harrisburg works (or doesn’t).
Sept. 5, 2022Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. lawmakers spent at least $3 million on private lawyers, experts during redistricting battle, invoices showby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe new districts have the potential to change the balance of power in both Harrisburg and Washington, so it’s not surprising that legal action played a major role during the process.
Sept. 1, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesThousands of Pa. nursing home workers may strike despite $600M for care in state budgetby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAWorkers for two for-profit companies fear the bulk of the money won’t be used to alleviate longer working hours, expanded job responsibilities, and even food rationing for residents.
Aug. 29, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPa.’s unreliable lobbyist disclosure website is getting a user-friendly upgradeby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAMore than 15 line items received a more than 100% boost in this year’s budget, including an upgrade to a website for lobbyists that has reportedly resulted in inaccurate disciplinary action.
Aug. 17, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPa. lawmakers are set to get huge raises next year. They can return them, but almost nobody does.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAInflation is pushing the Pa. legislature’s annual cost-of-living adjustments even higher, with base salaries expected to exceed $100,000 in 2023.
Aug. 16, 2022DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia InquirerPa. lawmakers weigh bill that would allow independents to vote on primary candidatesby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAPennsylvania has closed primary elections, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates from those parties and choose who will advance to the general.
Aug. 5, 2022TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia InquirerCritics call water quality bill moving through Pa. legislature a back door to privatizationby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe bill requires some public water systems to create an asset management plan, a mandate that municipal leaders and environmental groups called a solution in search of a problem.
July 28, 2022ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Philadelphia InquirerWolf sues GOP-led legislature to block abortion, voter ID questions from reaching Pa. ballot boxby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe Democratic governor is claiming legislative Republicans unconstitutionally lumped together five pieces of their “failed” agenda into a package of proposed amendments.
July 25, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerWolf quietly steers $40 million to Pitt, Pa.’s other state-related universitiesby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe move follows opponents of abortion access in the state House unsuccessfully attempting to block funding for the schools over Pitt’s research using fetal tissue.
July 22, 2022Jelani Splawn / For Spotlight PAPa.’s unemployment trust fund is broke. The Wolf admin says a long-term fix will save taxpayers millions.by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PAThe state’s new budget pays off $42 million in debt, but backers say a bigger policy change is needed to prepare the system for future downturns.
July 18, 2022Tim Tai / Philadelphia InquirerNew Pa. budget injects $125M into private school tax credit program that lacks basic accountabilityby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAA lack of transparency baked into state law makes it impossible to determine whether the program is actually improving outcomes for students who receive tuition assistance.
July 12, 2022THOMAS HENGGE / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvania has a new child care tax credit. Here’s what you need to know.by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAPeople who care for two or more dependents will be able to claim up to $6,000 in child care expenses starting next year.
July 8, 2022Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAPa. lawmakers agreed to a big election funding deal — with strings attachedby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Jonathan Lai of The InquirerCounty elections officials have mixed reactions to the legislation, which creates grants but doesn't allow counties to get the jump on counting mail ballots — an ongoing priority.
July 8, 2022Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAHere’s how Pennsylvania plans to spend its billions in federal stimulus money (full list)by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAHome repairs, property tax relief for seniors, and state park repairs are among 20 programs that will be funded with the one-time stimulus money.
July 8, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPa. lawmakers agree to boost education funding, spend billions in remaining stimulus money as part of budgetby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe wide-reaching budget, completed a week after the June 30 deadline, was made possible by higher-than-expected revenues that led to a multi-billion dollar surplus.
July 8, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvania legislature seeks to declare state constitution provides no right to an abortionby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PALegislative Republicans advanced five significant constitutional amendments, including stricter voter ID and enhanced powers for the General Assembly.
July 8, 2022Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAWhat is the independent state legislature doctrine, and why does it matter for Pa.?by Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PAAt least four U.S. Supreme Court justices have signaled support for an extreme legal doctrine that would give state legislatures unchecked power over elections and political maps.
July 1, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvania’s state budget is officially late. Here’s what you need to know.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PATalks have been difficult this year due to differing priorities among Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders, as well as emboldened conservative rank-and-file dissidents.
June 29, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerPa. House Republicans want to block state funding for the University of Pittsburgh over fetal tissue researchby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe proposed ban complicates budget negotiations as GOP lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf try to complete the process before the June 30 deadline.
Partisan primaries are fueling our political dysfunction but they can be fixed, new book saysAttendApr 19
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