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A daily newsletter by  |
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| Today: Finished budget, EV grants, steel concerns, lawsuit limbo, rate raises, a mother’s plea, and license plate takes. |
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Two weeks after the June 30 deadline, Pennsylvania lawmakers have sent Gov. Josh Shapiro a $47.6 billion budget.
The plan features more than $1 billion in new K-12 education spending split among multiple budget lines, including two new supplements that respond to a landmark court ruling that found the state unconstitutionally underfunds poor districts.
Public school advocates, including those who helped bring the funding case, had hoped for a much larger investment, given the commonwealth’s roughly $15 billion surplus
The deal also funnels new dollars into economic development, provides a one-time boost for transit systems, and creates a new college scholarship program.
Read the full report: Compromises on education spending, tax cuts, and transit headline Pa.’s $47.6B budget |
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NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
“The fear is that these jobs went away once, and the fear is that these jobs could go away again.”
—Pittsburgh-based Democratic campaign consultant Mike Mikus on concerns about the sale of U.S. Steel to a Japanese company. |
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Berks County residents are extremely frustrated with the diminished capacity of the local newspaper and they are concerned about a lack of access to trustworthy information in their community, according to a groundbreaking study by Spotlight PA.
In response to the findings, Spotlight PA is planning to launch a new regional reporting bureau in Berks County to be supported primarily by people living and working in the region. Read the full story, and then support the effort »
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ROCKY WATERS: Join us Thursday, July 18 from 6-7 p.m. ET on Zoom for a live panel on Pennsylvania’s private water industry, how it is regulated, and how communities are affected when service is subpar. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org. |
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| A coneflower at Morris Arboretum & Gardens, via @noraodendahl. Send us your photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
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 EV BOOST: The Biden administration is awarding $1.7 billion in grants to Pennsylvania and several other states to help expand electric vehicle manufacturing and assembly sites, the AP reports. The administration wants the grants to create or retain thousands of union jobs, and support communities with ties to the auto industry.  WATER RATES: Pennsylvania water and sewage rates could increase depending on how the state’s Public Utility Commission voted on a rate hike request by Pennsylvania American Water, KDKA reports. Residents could see a nearly 25% increase, while businesses would see up to 60%. Public hearings last year featured outcry about past increases.  ROAD FEE: Pennsylvania’s electric vehicle owners will pay a $200 registration fee next year under a bill on its way to Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Capital-Star reports. The bipartisan legislation aims to have EV owners contribute to road maintenance paid for by the gasoline tax, but critics worry it will disincentize purchasing the vehicles.  OPIOID LAWSUIT: A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling upending a $6 billion settlement deal with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has left affected Philly-area families in limbo, WHYY reports. The high court struck down a bankruptcy plan that would have included an immunity shield for Sackler family members from future lawsuits, a decision that has some advocates eager to see harsher penalties for the company and family.  |
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NEW CENTER: York County’s new history center is slated to open Aug. 2, and one official believes it will “rival any in the state and possibly the country,” the York Dispatch reports. |
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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.
S O E G G I R R A U
Yesterday's answer: Jaywalking
Congrats to our daily winners: Beth H., Marty M., Tracy S., Jim H., Kathleen R., Daniel M., Jon W., Susan S., Joel S., Judith D., Barbara F., Antoinette F., Susan N., Bob C., William Z., Timothy A., Karen W., Kim C., Mary D., Art Z., Adrien M., Olivia B., Amelia M., Wendy A., Perry H., Deb T., Lynne E., Rich L., Chris C., Starr B., Stanley J., James B., Tish M., Jeff F., Annette I., Kelly P., William M., Sherri A., Tom M., Daniel S., Tom B., Marie B., Richard A., Perry H., Jan I., Nancy C., Ronnee G., Karen K., Kimberly D, Eddy Z., Vicki U., Stacy S., Jane R., Elaine C., Jody A., Don H., and Eric F. |
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