Dec. 31, 2020DAVID SWANSON / Philadelphia InquirerFormer Pa. Gov. Dick Thornburgh dies at 88by Andy Wallace of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAHis death was confirmed by his son David Thornburgh, who said the former governor died Thursday morning at Longwood at Oakmont, a retirement community outside of Pittsburgh.
Dec. 23, 2020TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerAs he seeks to overturn Pa.’s election, Trump invites GOP senators to White House lunchby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe invitation from the White House for Wednesday’s luncheon was sent to every Republican in the GOP-controlled chamber.
Dec. 15, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerAs coronavirus hits home, Pa. GOP shifts messaging but still rejects mandatesby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAStill, at least two Republican lawmakers said Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 diagnosis was proof masks and other mitigation efforts don’t work.
Dec. 10, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesWolf temporarily suspends Pa. indoor dining, school sportsby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAThe 4 p.m. announcement comes as confirmed coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania continue to break records, and hospitals struggle with rising admissions and a potential staffing crisis.
Dec. 8, 2020Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PAFirm ran Pa. senator’s campaign and worked with super PAC to attack opponent, but denies coordinationby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch of The CaucusCoordination between independent expenditure groups and political campaigns is forbidden. But weak state and federal campaign finance rules and meager oversight create gray areas and loopholes.
Dec. 4, 2020Dan Gleiter / The Patriot-NewsGOP leaders ask Congress to reject Pa.’s electors for Joe Bidenby Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe effort is another attempt by Republican lawmakers to undermine the outcome of November’s election.
Dec. 3, 2020Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAPandemic, partisan attacks exposed gaps in Pa.’s new mail-in voting lawby Marie Albiges for Spotlight PAWhile many lawmakers agree changes are needed, finding common ground in the current hyper-partisan climate might be difficult — if not impossible.
Dec. 2, 2020JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia Inquirer‘Mistakes were made’ at maskless election hearing held by COVID-positive lawmaker, Pa. Senate leader saysby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PABreaking his silence, top GOP Sen. Jake Corman said his office is reviewing how the hearing was organized and executed.
Nov. 27, 2020Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPresident Trump invited Pa. lawmakers to the White House. Then everyone went silent.by William Bender of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAPresident Donald Trump summoned state lawmakers to the White House to talk about the election, but those who went weren't talking about it later.
Nov. 20, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerPa. budget doesn’t raise taxes or bail out industries hit by the coronavirusby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAHouse lawmakers were forced to vote remotely after additional COVID-19 cases were identified in the Capitol, sources said.
Nov. 20, 2020Joe Hermitt / The Patriot-NewsPa. lawmaker claims Capitol unsafe after fifth member tests positive for COVID-19by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PARep. Jim Gregory (R., Blair) announced Thursday evening he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Nov. 19, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerRemaining $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash to prop up Pa. state budget rather than help ailing industriesby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe action comes after outside groups like restaurants and hospitals have for months urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to use more of the relief funds to support them.
Nov. 19, 2020Kalim A. Bhatti / The Philadelphia InquirerWith $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash left to spend, the Pa. government might be the big winnerby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAA long line of service providers and industries — including restaurant owners — are still seeking coronavirus bailouts, but increasingly fear the cash might go toward the state’s budget.
Nov. 18, 2020Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. GOP advances audit of 2020 election, says it’s not about fraudby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAA resolution tasks a bipartisan committee that holds subpoena power with compiling a report on issues and “inconsistencies,” and hiring a firm to audit the vote.
Nov. 18, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. victim advocate claims Senate rejection was ‘vindictive,’ could remain on the job for weeks or longerby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAJennifer Storm is considering legal options after the top Senate Republican publicly revealed she’s under an ethics inquiry.
Nov. 18, 2020Senate Republican CaucusTwo women just made history in the Pa. legislature. Will that be the last thing they have in common?by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PASen. Kim Ward, a Republican, is the first woman to become majority leader in the General Assembly’s history, while Democratic Rep. Joanna McClinton will be the first Black woman to lead a caucus.
Nov. 16, 2020Tim Tai / Philadelphia InquirerSenate axes second term for Pa.'s victim advocate, who angered GOP leaderby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAA handful of Democrats joined Republicans in voting against Jennifer Storm, saying she had not advocated for victims in Philadelphia and other communities of color.
Nov. 16, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerFeds reject Pa.’s plan to spend up to $300M in stimulus money for school property tax reliefby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PASchool districts are still owed millions and have already passed budgets and set tax rates, putting more pressure on lawmakers in Harrisburg to come up with a solution.
Nov. 12, 2020STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerTop Pa. senator’s campaign revives lawsuit against journalists over public records feesby Mike Wereschagin of The CaucusThe campaign of Sen. Joe Scarnati is appealing the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking thousands of dollars in fees for providing records of campaign expenses to a Spotlight PA journalist and others.
Oct. 9, 2020HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerPa. Republicans drop effort to create ‘election integrity’ panel with subpoena powerby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAAlarmed state Democratic lawmakers previously called the proposal a “stealth attack” on voting.
Oct. 8, 2020DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia InquirerHouse GOP leadership calls on lawmaker to resign over vulgar videosby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAIn a since-deleted social media post, Rep. Aaron Bernstine is heard urging his son to smoke a cigar, telling him to “hit it harder, breathe in.”
Oct. 8, 2020TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerLawmakers mount new push to give Pa. counties more flexibility in counting mail-in ballotsby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PACounty election officials say it’s the number one issue standing between them and a timely counting of votes: allowing them to begin processing mail-in ballots before Nov. 3.
Oct. 7, 2020Steven M. Falk / Philadelphia InquirerJudge dismisses suit by top Pa. senator’s campaign against Spotlight PA journalist, othersby Mike Wereschagin of The CaucusSen. Joe Scarnati sought thousands of dollars for turning over public records of his campaign expenses.
Sept. 30, 2020HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerPa. Republicans want to create and control an ‘election integrity’ panel with subpoena powerby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe move comes a day after President Donald Trump fanned manufactured claims of election fraud. Alarmed state Democratic lawmakers called it a “stealth attack” on voting.
Sept. 28, 2020Tim Tai / Philadelphia InquirerHow Pa.'s victim advocate found herself in the crosshairs of the GOP-led Senateby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PARepublicans who control the Senate have pushed a proposal that would effectively make Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm ineligible to remain on the job.
Sept. 25, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerCould the Pa. GOP bypass the popular vote regardless of who wins? Here’s what we know.by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAThe head of the state Republican Party raised the possibility that the GOP-controlled legislature could choose a slate of presidential electors to cast the state’s votes for Donald Trump.
Sept. 22, 2020TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerLawmakers' power to redraw Pa.'s political maps could be more limited in 2021by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAA bill advancing in the state Senate would set strict criteria for drawing congressional and legislative maps, and make underlying data available for analysis.
Sept. 18, 2020TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia InquirerVoting victories for Democrats in Pa. might have closed the door on more election reformby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAElection boards want to start processing mail-in ballots before Election Day, but such a move would require cooperation between the Democratic governor and Republican leaders.
Sept. 16, 2020STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerTop Pa. Republican’s campaign sues journalists over public records costsby Mike Wereschagin of The Caucus and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PASen. Joseph Scarnati's campaign is seeking thousands of dollars from a news organization and two journalists, even though a state agency says he's not entitled to collect the fees.
Sept. 14, 2020JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerTop Pa. GOP lawmaker taps politically connected lobbyist to be chief of staffby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Brad Bumsted of The CaucusThe lobbyist, recently hired by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, worked for the firm that runs the lawmaker’s political campaigns.
