The 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.
Author Archives: Spotlight PA
Pa. Supreme Court upholds no-excuse mail voting ahead of midterms
A lower appellate court earlier this year sided with Republican lawmakers, saying that permitting no-excuse mail voting required amending the state constitution.
Wolf sues GOP-led legislature to block abortion, voter ID questions from reaching Pa. ballot box
The Democratic governor is claiming legislative Republicans unconstitutionally lumped together five pieces of their “failed” agenda into a package of proposed amendments.
Wolf quietly steers $40 million to Pitt, Pa.’s other state-related universities
The 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.
Pa.’s unemployment trust fund is broke. The Wolf admin says a long-term fix will save taxpayers millions.
The 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.
A beginner’s guide to requesting public records on Pa. law enforcement
Interviews with experts and an analysis of data from the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records offer tips for successfully using the state’s Right-to-Know Law.
You’re invited! A free virtual panel on the new Pa. budget and what it prioritizes
Join Spotlight PA July 26 for a free breakdown of Pa.’s multibillion-dollar budget and how it will impact you.
New Pa. budget injects $125M into private school tax credit program that lacks basic accountability
A 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.
In ‘rare’ move, judge agrees to Penn State’s request to seal entire case concerning search warrants involving student victims
A judge in Centre County has sealed an entire case at the request of Penn State, a rare move that potentially violates the right to open courts guaranteed by the state and U.S. Constitutions.
Pa. court system says it’s not responsible for county judges banning opioid addiction medication
A federal lawsuit alleges the Pennsylvania court system discriminated against people with opioid use disorder, raising questions about who is responsible for decisions made by local judges.
Pennsylvania has a new child care tax credit. Here’s what you need to know.
People who care for two or more dependents will be able to claim up to $6,000 in child care expenses starting next year.
5 takeaways from Spotlight PA’s event on Pennsylvania’s flawed police hiring database
Panelists said legislative action and other accountability measures are needed to close loopholes left in the 2020 law that created Pennsylvania’s law enforcement hiring database.
Here’s how Pennsylvania plans to spend its billions in federal stimulus money (full list)
Home repairs, property tax relief for seniors, and state park repairs are among 20 programs that will be funded with the one-time stimulus money.
Pa. lawmakers agreed to a big election funding deal — with strings attached
County 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.
Pennsylvania Senate seeks to declare state constitution provides no right to an abortion
Legislative Republicans advanced five significant constitutional amendments, including stricter voter ID and enhanced powers for the General Assembly.