Dec. 4, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesWe tracked Josh Shapiro’s 13 biggest campaign promises through his first year. See how he did.by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAPa. Gov. Josh Shapiro has gotten a slow start on key goals like a minimum wage increase and corporate tax cuts. The GOP-controlled state Senate has been his biggest roadblock.
Nov. 21, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesGov. Josh Shapiro appeals decisions that struck down key climate program to Pa.’s highest courtby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe governor has been noncommittal about keeping Pennsylvania in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and his office said the appeal is not a pledge to do so.
Oct. 20, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesGov. Josh Shapiro’s office agrees to pay $295K to settle sexual harassment allegation against top aideby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe settlement, paid for using taxpayer dollars, came after a top aide to Shapiro was accused of sexually harassing a female subordinate.
Oct. 13, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesGov. Josh Shapiro’s office quietly settled sexual harassment allegation against top aideby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe settlement included a confidentiality clause, Spotlight PA has learned, a practice that has garnered widespread scrutiny following the #MeToo movement.
Oct. 10, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro isn’t sold on a key climate program, and his working group isn’t either. What’s next for RGGI?by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAA group appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro believes a cap-and-trade program would help meet his ambitious climate goals, although the members lacked consensus on how best to move forward.
Oct. 4, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesAutomatic voter registration in Pa. draws GOP lawsuit threats, but little actionby Carter Walker of VotebeatRepublicans are threatening to sue Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro over automatic voter registration, but the admin appears to be on solid legal ground.
Sept. 28, 2023Courtesy Shapiro-Davis TransitionTop Shapiro staffer was accused of sexual harassment before resigningby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAMike Vereb, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s former secretary of legislative affairs, was accused months ago by a fellow staffer of sexual harassment.
Sept. 19, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAPa. will now prompt people to register to vote when they get a driver’s licenseby Carter Walker of VotebeatPennsylvania will now automatically lead residents through the process of registering to vote when they interact with the state Department of Transportation.
Aug. 18, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesWhy some of Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s cabinet picks still have ‘acting’ next to their titleby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAGov. Josh Shapiro’s pick for Pennsylvania health secretary didn’t have the vote to be confirmed by the state Senate, but she’s still leading the agency.
Aug. 3, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. budget impasse nears end as Gov. Josh Shapiro signs main spending billby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe governor signed a $45.5 billion appropriations bill after a month-plus dispute over a private school voucher program.
July 7, 2023JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerBad blood, technicalities, and complicated code bills keep the Pa. budget in limboby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAAt the center of the impasse is a proposed school voucher measure that Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro initially backed before vowing a veto.
May 31, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro won’t share daily calendar, a departure from previous Pa. governor’s transparencyby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe Democratic governor’s decision to withhold details about who he meets behind the scenes is legally sound, though experts said he could choose to reveal more.
April 5, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro’s proposed Pa. State Police fund saves road dollars but raises accountability concernsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAGov. Josh Shapiro wants to stop diverting money meant for road and bridge repairs to the Pennsylvania State Police by creating a new fund with dedicated revenue.
March 7, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerShapiro’s $44.4B budget pitch keeps Pa. spending relatively flat, preserves some pandemic benefitsby Stephen Caruso and Kate HuangpuThe first budget proposal from Pennsylvania’s new governor keeps spending relatively flat and preserves some pandemic-era programs while aiming to get the divided legislature on board.
March 6, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerWhat to expect from Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget proposalby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe first-term Democrat is expected to pitch more money for child care and a tax break for teachers in a plan that must win bipartisan support.
Feb. 22, 2023David Maialetti / Philadelphia InquirerShapiro admin contends taking Super Bowl tickets from group that gets state money didn’t violate governor’s own gift banby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe ban, enacted by Gov. Josh Shapiro, prevents him from taking pricey tickets from people or groups with “financial relations” with Pennsylvania.
Feb. 14, 2023Steven M. Falk / Philadelphia InquirerShapiro sat courtside at a Sixers game with a donor. His campaign called it a ‘political meeting.’by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAA spokesperson for Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wouldn't say who paid for the pricey tickets, but said the expenses will be reported as an in-kind campaign contribution.
Feb. 10, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerTracking Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s biggest campaign promisesby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PANew Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro made a lot of promises on the campaign trail. As Shapiro begins the work of governing, Spotlight PA is tracking his progress keeping them.
Jan. 20, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerPa. Gov. Josh Shapiro loosens his predecessor’s notoriously strict gift ban for top officialsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAGov. Tom Wolf’s gift ban barred officials from accepting even water bottles. New Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro has announced new, more permissive rules.
Jan. 19, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerPa. Gov. Josh Shapiro fills executive staff with loyal allies, political veteransby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe new governor’s top advisors will be instrumental in helping Shapiro deliver on campaign promises like raising the minimum wage and cracking down on illegal guns.
Jan. 18, 2023Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerWho has Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro nominated for his cabinet? (Full list)by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe proposed cabinet would assemble people from across the ideological spectrum who already have experience at top levels of government and public service.
Jan. 17, 2023Commonwealth Media ServicesDemocrat Josh Shapiro sworn in as Pennsylvania’s 48th governorby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAShapiro pledged to deliver on promises of growing the economy, decreasing gun violence, and ending the opioid epidemic.
Jan. 16, 2023Jessica Griffin / Philadelphia InquirerSecrecy has dominated Shapiro’s transition to Pa. governor. It may be a sign of what’s to come.by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe incoming Democratic governor had transition advisors sign NDAs, and isn’t sharing which private donors are paying for his inauguration.
Dec. 28, 2022Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia InquirerWho is on Pa. Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro’s transition team? (Full list)by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAA full list of the people leading and staffing the team helping Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro prepare to take office.
Dec. 20, 2022Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia InquirerWhat Josh Shapiro’s transition team says about how he’ll govern, and why some picks are raising eyebrowsby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe incoming governor's transition team includes prominent Republicans and those backing policies criticized by Democrats (as well as a few other controversial picks.)
Dec. 1, 2022Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia InquirerThe teams helping Josh Shapiro prepare to become Pa.’s governor include wealthy donors, Republicansby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe Democrat is not the only governor-to-be who has given donors plum positions ahead of his inauguration, but some say the practice highlights the need to get money out of politics.
Nov. 23, 2022Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia InquirerHow Democrat Josh Shapiro won Pennsylvania’s 2022 election for governorby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PASupporters and detractors alike agreed Shapiro had a weak opponent, strong outreach to rural areas, and a pragmatic policy message.