A state oversight board is expected to reconsider a range of programs, including money for county coroners, initiatives connected to district attorney offices, and media campaigns.
Spotlight PA
Pennsylvania public defense system is unconstitutional, underfunded by at least $100M, new ACLU suit says
The lawsuit argues the current system leaves too many cases for too few attorneys. As a result, incarcerated people say their defense teams rarely communicate with them, don’t properly investigate their cases, and more.
Cyber charter changes that could save public schools $530M may be in this year’s budget
Some lawmakers hope that the legislature will finally reach a consensus on how to update Pennsylvania’s charter school law.
Nurse practitioners say they could ease rural health care shortage with more authority, but doctors say it won’t work
Lawmakers have long proposed giving nurse practitioners full practice authority as a way to address Pennsylvania’s rural health care gap. But despite bipartisan support, the bill keeps dying.
Paid family leave draws bipartisan support as good for the economy, but some oppose cost, lost control
Currently, paid time off to care for a child or relative depends on where someone lives and works. New legislation would mandate it.
Proposed scholarships would make going to college cheaper in Pa., but there’s a catch
Pennsylvania lawmakers are debating different strategies to make college more affordable.
Redesigned envelope leads to fewer rejected mail ballots, but a new type of error sticks out
Election officials said Pennsylvania’s redesigned mail ballot envelope was a success, but state data points to a new type of voter mistake affecting rejections.
Why a state challenge to Pa.’s mail ballot dating rule may succeed even though a federal one failed
A new lawsuit from the ACLU and Public Interest Law Center claims Pennsylvania’s mail ballot dating rule violates the state constitution’s free and equal elections clause. Some of the high court’s justices appear open to the argument.
Lifesaving or misguided? Funding Pa. coroners with opioid settlements criticized
An oversight board rejected Lawrence County’s use of settlement funds for its coroner’s office but is still considering whether to allow similar programs in Chester and Lehigh Counties.
Remote voting in Pennsylvania state House persists despite controversy
Democrats continued to vote on behalf of a lawmaker after police issued a warrant for his arrest, leading Republicans to again call for restrictions on the practice.
Costs for Pa. prison system are soaring despite facility closures, putting officials in the hot seat
State prison officials want $300 million in additional taxpayer money in next year’s budget despite a declining population of incarcerated people and the closure of two facilities.
Education funding boost, tax cuts on table as Pa. budget talks begin
Pennsylvania lawmakers are entering budget negotiations with a roughly $14 billion surplus. So far, they have different priorities for using it.
Pa. dairy farmers could see financial boost from Shapiro’s proposed subsidy program
The governor’s $48.3 billion budget proposal includes $5.6 million to incentivize participation in a federal dairy risk management program.
Pennsylvania child care centers struggle to survive amid staffing crisis
Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed increasing taxpayer money for child care, but advocates say the ultimate cost needs to be far higher.
Gov. Josh Shapiro uses Pennsylvania’s state plane much more than his predecessor
Pennsylvania taxpayers paid $410,000 for state flights last year, the most since 2011. Shapiro took most of those flights.