|
A daily newsletter by  |
|
|
|
| Today: Private water, stimulus bonuses, VP critics, on appeal, fired counselors, and young candidates. Thanks for checking in. It's Thursday. |
|
Water privatization is on the rise in Pennsylvania.
And while there are benefits to such acquisitions — more financial resources and staffing, for example — there are also downsides, including higher bills and a loss of local control.
Spotlight PA recently investigated one private system in rural Centre County, finding that the Rock Spring Water Company, state regulators, and elected officials have failed the nearly 500 customers served by the privately owned business.
Marley Parish spoke with a panel of experts about the state’s private water industry, how it’s regulated, and what options exist for customers having issues with their utility provider.
Read her full report: Water privatization is on the rise in Pa. Here’s what you need to know. |
|
NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
"[Harris] is going to boost turnout and support from African American voters, diverse voters, and younger voters."
—Pennsylvania public affairs executive Larry Ceisler noting that while he doesn't expect Kamala Harris to match Joe Biden's numbers in rural parts of the commonwealth, "it could be a net positive for the ticket" here. |
|
| The Phillie Phanatic at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, via Eric F. Send us your photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
|
BUDGET BREAKDOWN: Join us TODAY from 6-7 p.m. on Zoom for a discussion on the major components of the budget, the politics that shaped the deal, and what was left on the cutting room floor. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org. |
|
 ETHICS ORDER: Three township supervisors in Erie County have been ordered to repay $6,000 each after awarding themselves $10,000 bonuses using federal COVID-19 stimulus funding, Erie Times-News (paywall) reports. The trio set the pay in private and only sought and obtained auditor approval — as required under state law — after the fact.
 SHAPIRO SKEPTICS: At least one prominent Pennsylvania Democrat isn't rooting for Gov. Josh Shapiro to be tapped as Kamala Harris' running mate. Democratic nominee for state treasurer Erin McClelland took to X to accuse Shapiro of sweeping sexual harassment under the rug when a top aide was accused of misconduct.
• GOP makes Harris' fracking stance an issue in PA, via Axios.
 SHAPIRO SUPPORT: Other Democrats think Shapiro at the top of the ticket in November could boost the party in down-ballot races and its chance of a government trifecta, per TribLIVE. “I think it is a tremendous advantage certainly for us in Pennsylvania, but time will tell if that plays out,” state Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) said.
• DLCC to invest $500K in PA House races, via Capital-Star. |
|
CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT: A Jewish group is accusing the School District of Philadelphia of failing to protect Jewish students from “a virulent wave of antisemitism” in recent months, the AP reports.
DOUBLED FUNDING: The new state budget boosts funding for a program that provides security grants to houses of worship to $10 million, WTAE reports.
JOCK TAX: Pittsburgh, amid mounting financial anxiety, is looking to resurrect its tax on visiting athletes and performers. The state Supreme Court just agreed to weigh in on its constitutionality, per TribLIVE.
COUNSELORS FIRED: Four camp counselors have been fired by one of Pennsylvania's largest Girl Scouts councils because they referred to a camper using the child's preferred pronouns, via PennLive (paywall).
ON THE BALLOT: A 28-year-old planning commissioner is running for office in a newly flippable Northampton County state House district with backing from a David Hogg-linked progressive group, Fast Company reports. |
|
Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be counted. Please include your first name and last initial. T R I D E N I H G
Yesterday's answer: Clambering
Congrats to our daily winners: Elaine C., Stacy S., Bob C., Eric F., Carolyn R., Don H., Barbara F., Karthik B., Becky C., Jane R., Jon W., Daniel M., Timothy A., Cynthia B., Barb K., David W., Karen K., Michael B., Perry H., Susan N.-Z., Richard A., Jeff F., Jeffrey F., Fran C., Johnny C., Judith D., Tom M., Beth H., William Z., Ada M., Annette I., and Kimberly D.
|
|
|
| |
|
BAY FUNDS: Pennsylvania's new budget will 
ON APPEAL: The state Supreme Court has agreed to consider