The Pa. House has passed a transit funding bill, but the Senate may favor a stopgap deal for Harrisburg’s six-week-late budget.
Spotlight PA
Posted inNews
Key reasons Pennsylvania’s mental health system is failing
A Spotlight PA investigation reveals Pennsylvania has failed to fulfill its 2011 promise to transition patients from state psychiatric hospitals to community care, leading to increased mental health needs in county jails.
Posted inNews
Why Pennsylvanians may see higher electric bills this summer — and next
Record-setting usage fueled by heat waves, plus the region’s electrical grid, is behind the increases.
Posted inNews
Transportation funding deadlock threatens PA infrastructure plans
Pennsylvania lawmakers are wrestling with funding solutions for the state’s aging transportation infrastructure while grappling with declining gas tax revenues and rising maintenance costs.
Posted inNews
Family’s decade-long struggle reveals gaps in state’s psychiatric care
A Spotlight PA investigation found Pennsylvania politicians and local officials broke promises to replace institutionalized care with community options — despite knowing the devastating consequences.
Posted inNews
Train enthusiasts keep Pennsylvania’s rich railroad heritage on track
Trains played a huge role in Pennsylvania’s development, and local museums and volunteer groups statewide help to preserve that history.
Posted inNews
How a bipartisan push — and backing from farmers — helped end Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban
The law, which will allow the Game Commission to set Sunday hunting dates, takes effect in early September.
Posted inNews
Pennsylvania governor’s mansion fire fundraiser details remain under wraps
The Shapiro administration has yet to say just how much repairing and upgrading the Harrisburg residence will cost after a brazen arson attack.
Posted inNews
Prices on certain goods, services could rise as Pa. lawmakers consider axing some sales tax exemptions
With the budget overdue and facing significant deficits, one GOP leader says he’s willing to consider changes.
Posted inNews
How Pa. is responding to rising use of a synthetic opioid more powerful than fentanyl
At least 50 people have died of an overdose associated with nitazenes. A lack of testing means the true number is likely higher.
Posted inNews
Fourth consecutive budget delay looms as PA lawmakers remain divided
Impasses don’t mean much unless they stretch for more than a few weeks. Then, they start having serious consequences for schools, libraries, and more.
Posted inNews
Shortage of new teachers is hurting Pa. kids’ academic prospects, report says
Poor school districts are leaning heavily on less-rigorous emergency certifications to fill teaching gaps, a Penn State report found.
Posted inNews
GOP leaders accused of pressuring lobbyists to drop client in skill game fight
In a rare public rift, powerful skill games operator Pace-O-Matic is accusing the Pa. Senate of forcing lobbyists to drop them as a client.
Posted inNews
More local governments in Pa. would be able to tax more to cover fire, EMS costs under new bill
After about 150 Pennsylvania boroughs and townships were given the authority to raise higher fire and EMS taxes, a lawmaker wants to expand that power for more communities.
Posted inNews
Minimum wage would be $15 in big counties, $12 in smaller ones like Lebanon under bill passed by House
The proposal is designed to appeal to Republican senators, and comes after Pa. Democrats unsuccessfully tried for years to pass a statewide $15 minimum wage
