By simultaneously pursuing legislative changes as well as a constitutional amendment, Republicans are presenting Gov. Tom Wolf with two options: negotiate or be cut out of the conversation completely.
Spotlight PA
Embattled Pa. teacher pension fund subpoenaed by SEC over ‘compensation and gifts’ to staff
The FBI and federal prosecutors launched a criminal probe of the $70 billion PSERS plan in March after the fund’s board revealed doubts about the figure it endorsed for financial results in December.
Pa. redistricting panel rolls back new policy to count incarcerated people in home districts, not state prisons
An additional 3,000 people will be excluded from a rule that ends “prison gerrymandering” in Pennsylvania’s state House and Senate maps.
You’re invited! A free panel on Alzheimer’s disease preparedness in Pennsylvania
Join Spotlight PA in a free Q&A on Alzheimer’s disease in Pennsylvania and possible solutions to the coming crisis.
Pa. state Democratic lawmaker quietly stripped of committee leadership, Capitol access
State Rep. Kevin Boyle of Philadelphia has been sidelined over what he called “incorrect information” about him. Democratic leaders have not disclosed the reason for their move.
Pa.’s looming dementia care crisis, by the numbers
Experts warn Pennsylvania is headed for a profound eldercare crisis as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia rates continue to climb. Statistics illustrate the cause of their concern.
Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus business waiver program was flawed, secretive, Pa. auditor says
Though the program was well-intentioned — designed to provide relief to businesses during the early months of the pandemic shutdown — it was confusing and lacked transparency and accountability.
Pa. GOP lawmakers to subpoena personal information on every voter in controversial 2020 election review
The GOP lawmakers have crafted a sweeping subpoena, requesting among other information the name, address and partial social security number of every voter registered as of November 2020.
Wolf administration ordered to reveal details of cannabis use as drug addiction treatment
The Office of Open Records ruled in favor of Spotlight PA and ordered the health department to disclose how many patients are certified for cannabis under each of the state’s qualifying conditions.
Expiring COVID-19 waivers could make Pa. health-care staffing shortages worse
With cases rising, health-care professionals are urging the legislature to extend the regulatory changes to maximize the number of workers in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Pa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election results
Rudy Giuliani once described the Amistad Project as a “partner” in the Trump campaign’s legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election. But little else is known about the group or its donors.
Pa. to refund $19 million to 109,000 people it overcharged in unemployment error
The state first learned it had overcharged thousands of people unemployment interest in 2016, but didn’t disclose it until Spotlight PA asked about the problem.
For the first time, Pa. Senate gives public online access to spending records
Though a win for taxpayers, the information provided online is not searchable or easy to analyze.
The Supreme Court’s inaction on a Texas abortion ban raises the stakes for the Pa. governor’s race
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto any effort to curtail abortion access, but his term ends in January 2023. Republicans plan to aggressively pursue the office.
The coming crisis in dementia care and why Pa. is woefully unprepared
A lack of beds and staff, soaring costs, and action plans gone unheeded have left Pennsylvania, one of the oldest states in the nation, in a perilous position.