Commissioners, led by Republicans, raised taxes amid a pandemic and for the first time since 2010, despite the county having received more than $37 million in gas impact fees.
Spotlight PA
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A business owner’s guide to Pa.’s next wave of COVID-19 relief grants
The aid is targeted at businesses with fewer than 300 employees that have lost at least 25% of their sales as a result of the pandemic.
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Top Pa. senator appoints colleague’s wife to lucrative Gaming Control Board seat
Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman named Frances Regan, the wife of Sen. Mike Regan, to serve a two-year term on the board, which comes with a $145,000 annual salary.
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Victims of unemployment fraud in Pa. are blindsided by tax documents
Thousands of apparent victims of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance fraud have received unexpected tax documents reporting income to the IRS they never took.
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More people can gather indoors in Pa. as coronavirus cases decline, Wolf announces
In addition, travelers to the state no longer have to quarantine for 14 days or provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test.
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The placeholder: Meet the man Wolf taps to (temporarily) hold key appointments
In less than four months, the top staffer in Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has been nominated to serve on 28 different state-appointed boards.
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Levine questioned on missing Pa. nursing home data in federal confirmation hearing
Former Health Secretary Rachel Levine’s explanation for the issues did not match previous reporting by Spotlight PA.
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Why Spotlight PA is spending a year investigating Pennsylvania’s redistricting process
As part of Spotlight PA’s extensive coverage, the outlet is taking a hard look at how Pennsylvania elected officials have used their power in the past to manipulate their districts for political gain.
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Counties will again be unable to process mail ballots early during Pa.’s primary election
While a municipal primary typically sees low turnout, election officials said they can’t predict how many voters will take advantage of the state’s no-excuse mail voting law.
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New coronavirus grants for small Pa. businesses aim for inclusivity, but can’t track success
Applications open next month for $145 million in state grants for small hospitality businesses, with a significant change by lawmakers intended to make the money is more accessible to people of color.
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Voters may never again get to choose Pa.’s lieutenant governor candidates
A proposed constitutional amendment would allow a gubernatorial candidate to choose their running mate after the spring primary, much like the presidential race.
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Spotlight PA, Inquirer sue to unseal records in ex-Democratic state lawmaker’s embezzlement case
The organizations asked a federal court to unseal records related to the conviction of former state Rep. Leslie Acosta of Philadelphia, arguing there is a high burden for restricting that access.
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The $1 billion plan to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts
Gov. Tom Wolf’s idea relies on a hefty tax increase on top third of earners, which will be a nearly impossible sell to the legislature and many in the public.
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Delay in census data could put transparency in Pa.’s redistricting process at risk
Lawmakers will likely get half as much time to draw the state’s new legislative and congressional maps, worrying advocates who have long fought for a more open process.
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The inside story of how Pennsylvania failed to deliver millions in coronavirus rent relief
A review of thousands of emails obtained by Spotlight PA reveals the program was doomed to fail from the start, depriving desperate tenants of relief as they lived in fear of losing their homes.
