The state Senate adjourned this week without passing fixes to Pennsylvania's rental assistance program, making it likely many landlords and families on the financial brink will not get the aid they desperately need.

Spotlight PA's Charlotte Keith reports the failure came as a surprise even to House Republicans, who joined with Democrats in unanimous support of a bill that would make critical changes to the $150 million program.

A spokesperson for Senate Republicans said changes made earlier this month by Gov. Tom Wolf “negated the need” for the legislation. Lawmakers in both parties, as well as tenant and landlord groups, disagreed, since burdensome paperwork requirements and a $750 monthly cap remain. 

The Context: As Spotlight PA previously reported, problems with the program emerged almost immediately. The state agency tasked with implementing it began asking lawmakers to make sweeping changes in July.

But leaders in the GOP-controlled House and Senate failed to take up the issue until this month, after the program's initial deadline for applications had passed.

At the moment, thousands of families across the state are at risk of losing their homes amidst the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. A federal order protects some tenants from eviction until the end of the year, but advocates warn of a surge in eviction filings come January.

"I think there’s been sort of a NIMBY response to affordable housing proposals here and there regardless of who’s in office. That’s nothing new."

ON DEMAND: Is the prospect of door-to-door trick-or-treating a little too spooky this year? Hershey is offering to send a robot door to your home to deliver king-sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Safe and delicious. 

CHECK YOUR SOURCES: At this critical moment, it's more important than ever to verify stories and social media posts before you share them. Take, for example, this totally fake story on "shredded Pennsylvania mail-in ballots" shared thousands of times.

BEST OF THE WURST: For some reason, Food & Wine picked the best hot dog in every state and for Pennsylvania selected Johnny’s Hots in Philadelphia. This is really just my excuse to return to my favorite Pennsylvania political debate — whether a hot dog is a sandwich or not (Gov. Tom Wolf says heck yes). 

WELL, SHE'S GOT A POINT: A Halloween display near Pittsburgh featuring disfigured dolls is not sitting well with some people in the area. When informed by a reporter that the display was disturbing to some neighbors, the woman behind the display replied, "existence is disturbing."

SWEET SCIENCE: A Pennsylvania man is setting off a scientific debate: He recently went to eat Twinkies he bought eight years ago and discovered, to his horror, that the treat tasted like "old sock." Aren't Twinkies supposed to be ... immortal? Researchers in West Virginia are now investigating.