As the pandemic prevailed through the spring, summer, and fall of 2020, the nation’s largest full-time legislature — with some of the highest-paid lawmakers — spent much of its time challenging Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's expanded powers, a Spotlight PA analysis has found. 

Of 140 bills passed and signed by Wolf last year, only 27 directly addressed problems brought on by the pandemic. That includes several major budget-related bills that made use of federal aid — an area that seemingly could inspire bipartisanship but still incited clashes between the two branches.

Wolf, meanwhile, vetoed a record 19 bills — 15 more than he did in 2019. Of those, all but two were sponsored by Republicans, and many were aimed at reopening sectors of the economy ahead of the administration's schedule. 

THE CONTEXT: Regardless of political belief, a large number of people had to turn to state government to get through enormously painful times, whether for their health, their business, or their family finances. 

As Spotlight PA has reported, the state struggled last year to process more than 5 million unemployment claims through an outdated system that has left hundreds of thousands stressed, confused, and desperate for help. It also failed to spend more than $108 million in rent and mortgage relief, leaving thousands of families vulnerable to eviction.

Legislative efforts to fix the programs were often sidelined by partisanship. So will 2021 be any better?

That remains to be seen. When the legislature reconvened last month to launch its new two-year session, it set the tone for a potentially rocky relationship with Wolf, who could be hamstrung by his lame-duck status as he navigates the last two years of his second and final term in the office.