Dec. 27, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPartisan fights dominated the Pa. legislature’s recent session, eclipsing some major accomplishmentsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAIn 2022, Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders were able to agree to a major budget package that spent billions in federal stimulus money, and passed the most laws in six years.
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. 16, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. Republicans fight to prolong House majority and pass far-reaching constitutional amendmentsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PARepublicans may briefly control the PA House in 2023. Many want to use the advantage to pass major constitutional amendments.
Dec. 15, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerGov. Tom Wolf on COVID policies: ‘I’m going to be second-guessing myself until the day I die’by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAOutgoing Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said criticism of his COVID-19 business closure and waiver program were “right on the mark.”
Dec. 13, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerAdvocates, lawmakers hope Pa. House power shift opens door for election law changesby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Carter Walker of VotebeatLawmakers, lobbyists, and voting advocates preview their election law wishlists for next session.
Dec. 12, 2022Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PADespite midterm losses, Pa. Republicans appear unlikely to abandon combative agendaby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAAfter losing marquee races for governor and U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania Republicans are sticking to their combative agenda.
Dec. 7, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesWATCH: A 1-on-1 exit interview with outgoing Pa. Gov. Tom Wolfby Spotlight PA StaffThe Democrat discussed the challenges and highlights of his 8 years in office.
Dec. 7, 2022Alejandro A. Alvarez / Philadelphia InquirerDispute over Pa. House special elections, control likely heading to courtby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PADemocrat Joanna McClinton says she is now in control of the Pennsylvania House, a claim Republican leaders say amounts to a “paperwork insurrection.”
Dec. 7, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesWolf backs regulatory change that would formalize discrimination protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvaniansby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAPennsylvania is the only state in the northeast without a nondiscrimination law on the books that protects people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Dec. 6, 2022Jose F. Moreno/ Philadelphia InquirerPa.’s governor spends thousands on private law firms but won’t disclose whyby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Brad Bumsted of The CaucusGov. Tom Wolf’s Office of General Counsel spent at least $367,500 over the past three years on a half- dozen law firms while rarely providing details.
Dec. 2, 2022TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerIn tussle for Pennsylvania House leadership, parties clash over math and precedentby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PADemocrats won a House majority in the midterms. But a vacancy has split the chamber evenly until at least Jan. 3, and the parties disagree on who should control it until then.
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. 16, 2022Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PADemocrats win control of Pennsylvania state House after picking up 12 seatsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PADemocrats have not controlled the chamber for more than a decade, and the win will allow lawmakers to advance policy priorities like raising the minimum wage.
Nov. 9, 2022Alejandro A. Alvarez / Philadelphia InquirerDemocrats believe they will take control of the Pennsylvania House for the first time in more than a decadeby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAUnofficial results from Tuesday’s midterm election show that Democrats are expected to flip a number of Republican-controlled seats in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and State College.
Nov. 9, 2022Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia InquirerDemocrat Josh Shapiro will be Pennsylvania’s next governor. It promises to be his biggest challenge yet.by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAShapiro, who is currently the state’s attorney general, will have to navigate a state legislature that has often served as a foil to gubernatorial agendas.
Nov. 3, 2022Jose F. Moreno/ Philadelphia InquirerWolf signs hastily passed $2 billion tax package that encourages natural gas production in Pa.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PADespite the size of the package, lawmakers introduced and passed the bill in just a few hours with no public hearings.
Nov. 2, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesThe Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra paid $15K to take 2 Pa. lawmakers to Europeby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe Republican lawmakers’ European excursion is the type of job perk that a gift ban would make impossible for elected officials and others in government, but the legislature has failed to pass one.
Oct. 31, 2022Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia InquirerWhy are undated mail ballots such a big deal in Pennsylvania?by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe Pennsylvania Supreme Court has been asked to determine whether mail ballots that a voter failed to date should be thrown out or counted on Nov. 8.
Oct. 24, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerAs Nov. 8 election approaches, Wolf and Pa. lawmakers look to push through massive tax incentives for natural gasby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe potential price tag of foregone state tax revenue is roughly $3.6 billion if the credits are claimed in full.
Oct. 3, 2022CAMERON B. POLLACK / Philadelphia Inquirer PhotoChronically ill patients could get easier access to new treatments if Pa. lawmakers act soonby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PASupporters say the bill will allow medical providers to spend more time on care rather than fighting with insurance companies, but time is running out to pass it before the session ends.
Sept. 27, 2022CHARLES FOX / Philadelphia InquirerPa. election 2022: There will be no constitutional amendments on the Nov. 8 ballot, but big ones are loomingby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAVoters could face at least six proposed referendums in spring 2023, including one that could pave the way to banning abortion access.
Sept. 23, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerLooming election jolts Harrisburg into action as Pa. lawmakers pass a flurry of bills, cash in on fundraisersby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe GOP-led legislature moved five bills authored by the party’s gubernatorial candidate, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, forcing Democrats to choose between policies they might support and bolstering the record of their political opponent.
Sept. 19, 2022BLAINE SHAHAN | LNP/LancasterOnlineSkill games company woos Pa. lawmakers with trips to wild Wyoming rodeoby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAIn the ongoing war of cash and influence between skill game operators and casinos, state lawmakers and their campaign coffers are benefitting handsomely.
Sept. 15, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAEfforts to ban, restrict LGBTQ curriculum in Pa. schools hinge on who becomes the next governorby Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PAEducators fear a Florida-like proposed ban on elementary school instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation will teach children that being part of the LGBTQ community is wrong. Proponents contend it’s about “parental rights.”
Sept. 14, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerClandestine plan to force a vote on Pa. legislative gift ban fails, lawmakers shrugby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAAdvocates have long pushed to place limits on the monetary value of gifts lobbyists can give to lawmakers, but it would take action from the people who benefit most.
Sept. 9, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerHow Harrisburg Works: The rules for Pa. lawmaker per diems, speaker v. leader, and other Q&Asby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PASpotlight PA’s Stephen Caruso wants to help you understand how the sausage really gets made, how your tax dollars are spent, and how Harrisburg works (or doesn’t).
Sept. 5, 2022Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. lawmakers spent at least $3 million on private lawyers, experts during redistricting battle, invoices showby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe new districts have the potential to change the balance of power in both Harrisburg and Washington, so it’s not surprising that legal action played a major role during the process.
Sept. 1, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesThousands of Pa. nursing home workers may strike despite $600M for care in state budgetby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAWorkers for two for-profit companies fear the bulk of the money won’t be used to alleviate longer working hours, expanded job responsibilities, and even food rationing for residents.
Aug. 29, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPa.’s unreliable lobbyist disclosure website is getting a user-friendly upgradeby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAMore than 15 line items received a more than 100% boost in this year’s budget, including an upgrade to a website for lobbyists that has reportedly resulted in inaccurate disciplinary action.
Aug. 17, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerPa. lawmakers are set to get huge raises next year. They can return them, but almost nobody does.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAInflation is pushing the Pa. legislature’s annual cost-of-living adjustments even higher, with base salaries expected to exceed $100,000 in 2023.
