June 13, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesUnregulated hemp derivative delta-8 thrives in Pa.’s thorny marijuana landscapeby Christina Baker for Spotlight PADespite its hazy legal status, delta-8 is not subject to any regulations or mandatory testing in Pennsylvania, and its packaging isn’t required to note potential side effects.
June 9, 2022Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. lawmaker wants more state control over millions in outside spending on federal electionsby Jaxon White for Spotlight PAThe push for more local control is likely to face an uphill battle with fellow legislators, as Pennsylvania has some of the laxest state campaign finance rules in the country.
June 8, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvania is sitting on billions in stimulus money. Lawmakers may actually agree on a plan to spend some of it.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAWith the June 30 deadline to pass a budget approaching, Republican lawmakers who had previously shunned additional spending seem to be warming to the idea.
June 1, 2022Kent M. Wilhelm / For Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s highest court could give cities the go-ahead to craft their own gun lawsby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe Republican-led General Assembly is unlikely to consider restricting gun access despite the recent massacre of nearly 20 children in Texas.
May 31, 2022Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerGift ban, other good-government changes stall in Pa. despite promises from leadershipby Christina Baker for Spotlight PAGood-government advocates argue that the legislature, swayed by donors and leadership, lacks the political will to rid itself of the perks of being in elected office.
May 27, 2022MICHAEL BRYANT / Philadelphia InquirerHigh-profile GOP primary losses could make passing Pa.’s next budget painfulby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PACapitol insiders believe the poor primary performances of Harrisburg’s top budget negotiators could inspire frustrated Republicans to revolt during budget season.
May 23, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesLawmaker urges Pa. legislature to make it easier for attorney general to investigate police killingsby Christina Baker for Spotlight PAState Sen. Art Haywood said his bill — inspired in part by the police killing of Christian Hall — would address the “appearance of bias” that erodes trust in law enforcement.
April 11, 2022KIM WEIMER / BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMESDraft bills and late-night emails reveal cozy ties between Pa. state lawmaker, casino lobbyistsby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PARepresentatives of Parx Casino and state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson have worked in lockstep to ban unregulated, slot-like skill games that pose a threat to traditional gaming.
April 11, 2022BLAINE SHAHAN | LNP/LancasterOnlineWhat are skill games, and why are they at the center of a multimillion-dollar fightby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAUnlike casino slot machines, skill games aren’t regulated under the state’s gambling law or subject to the same high taxes.
March 29, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerThe public could gain easy access to info about how Pa. lawmakers spend taxpayer money on perksby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe bill would require legislators and staff in both the state House and Senate to post their expenses online on a quarterly basis.
March 14, 2022MICHAEL BRYANT / Philadelphia InquirerFormer Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane arrested for DUIby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Craig R. McCoy of The InquirerKane, who resigned after a tumultuous first term that ended in several convictions, will be charged this week, according to Scranton police.
Feb. 8, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesWolf asks GOP-led legislature to spend Pa.’s federal aid dollars as he pitches $1.8B boost for educationby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThough Wolf’s nearly $44 billion financial blueprint does not include any proposed tax increases, it is almost certain to face pushback from GOP leaders.
Feb. 1, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerGov. Tom Wolf’s final budget address will seek to cement his legacyby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe speech will provide the roadmap for weeks of budget hearings and negotiations between the term-limited governor and the Republican-controlled legislature.
Jan. 26, 2022Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerA complete guide and amendment tracker for proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s Constitutionby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAUse Spotlight PA's exclusive amendment tracker to see all of the proposed changes to the state constitution and where they stand in the process.
Jan. 25, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerA massive Pa. corporate tax break lacks basic accountability, report findsby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAThe failures are not the result of poor oversight, but rather an explicit effort by lawmakers to limit the information that is collected about the tax credit program.
Jan. 17, 2022TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia InquirerPa. GOP answered Wolf’s pandemic vetoes with constitution changes. The strategy is here to stay.by Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PAWolf’s veto tally grew extensively during the pandemic and will likely expand during his final 13 months in office, as Republicans continue to largely bypass his agenda.
Jan. 14, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerVoters could be flooded with proposed changes to the Pa. Constitution in 2023by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAState Republicans have increasingly relied on constitutional amendments to pursue policy initiatives Gov. Tom Wolf would otherwise reject and most Democrats don’t support.
Jan. 11, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerPa. legislature’s redacted legal bills flout court ruling, leave taxpayers guessingby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch of The CaucusAs lawmakers shielded details of their legal spending last year, they spent an additional $35,000 in taxpayer money to fight efforts to make the information public.
Jan. 6, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerThe Jan. 6 Capitol riot: A complete guide to what we know about Pennsylvania’s roleby Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PAThe Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot was the culmination of deliberate lies and misinformation about the November 2020 election results and involved dozens of Pennsylvanians.
Dec. 14, 2021Pennsylvania Historical and Museum CommissionPennsylvania revises Confederate markers, recasts forces as “enemy” soldiersby Colin Deppen of Spotlight PAPennsylvania has revised or removed historical markers and plaques about the Confederacy amid a nationwide reckoning over how the army is remembered.
Dec. 13, 2021Matt Smith / For Spotlight PALack of telehealth law in Pennsylvania a major headache for patients who need it mostby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAThe state is one of only seven that do not require reimbursement for virtual visits, meaning patients must deal with uneven insurance coverage and some medical providers who don’t want to bother.
Dec. 3, 2021HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerVaunted Pennsylvania Society weekend loses luster among politicosby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe annual gathering of Pennsylvania politicians, lobbyists, and business owners has once again been scaled back because of COVID-19.
Nov. 11, 2021Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerNew limits would curtail lobbyist perks for Pa. lawmakers, but one leader could stand in the wayby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PASenate President Jake Corman, who has reported accepting thousands of dollars in hospitality and transportation gifts, has yet to join fellow GOP leaders in support of the reform.
Nov. 9, 2021Commonwealth Media ServicesTop Pa. House Republican wants to greatly expand lawmakers’ power over the governor, executive branchby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAA majority of lawmakers would be able to block orders, such as one requiring masks in schools, from continuing past 21 days.
Oct. 13, 2021TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerPa. lawmakers hand out millions in public contracts to law firms that fill their campaign coffersby Sam Janesch of The Caucus and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe mutually beneficial system, which is entirely legal, enriches the campaigns of Pa. lawmakers, who in turn hire firms for all types of legal matters — and all paid for by taxpayers.
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