The Wolf administration decided the fate of thousands of businesses during the coronavirus shutdown with almost no transparency. • Spotlight PA

Decided in Secret

About our Decided in Secret coverage

An ongoing accountability series examining the state's granting of coronavirus business waivers — allowing some to reopen, and forcing others to remain closed — in total secrecy.

State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale likened Gov. Tom Wolf's coronavirus business waiver program to a Keystone Kops routine, calling it unfair and inconsistent.

Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus business waiver program was inconsistent, unfair, auditor says

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

The administration decided the fate of thousands of businesses across Pennsylvania with little transparency and no explanations for its shifting positions.

Public health experts agree business closures were necessary to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But the Wolf administration has faced widespread criticism for how it carried out that shutdown.

How Pa.’s chaotic coronavirus waiver program hurt small businesses

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Gov. Tom Wolf's administration went on the offensive this week against legislative Republicans.

Wolf warns requests for business waivers could reveal proprietary details as GOP presses court case

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

In March, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that all but “life-sustaining” businesses had to close because of the coronavirus unless they received an exemption.

Pa. officials revoked business waivers the night before publishing list of recipients

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all but “life-sustaining” businesses to close in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Gov. Tom Wolf rejects GOP subpoena for business waiver records, but releases some information online

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

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