Did you know Spotlight PA is a nonprofit? Learn more about our nonpartisan journalism »
Skip to main content
Main content

Secrecy rules in process to pick Pa.'s interim judges

The Investigator
Your exclusive guide to the best journalism in Pa.
November 21, 2019 | spotlightpa.org
♡ Support Us
Wolf's nomination of a top GOP aide this week is renewing scrutiny of a process rife with secrecy and back-room dealing. Plus, inside Erie's all-out campaign in Harrisburg to win approval of a community college. And how pregnant women in Pennsylvania are facing more workplace discrimination.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It amazes me that this is the process we’re using to choose judges.”

— Sen. Katie Muth (D., Montgomery), on deals to select interim judges in Pennsylvania that she says benefit the “well-connected and privileged”

Politics dominate Erie's battle for a community college it believes is key to its revival

By Matthew Rink, GoErie.com

Q: What’s going on in Erie and its request for a community college?
A:
Erie has been debating the merits of a community college for at least 15 years. It's the largest city in the state without one. In 2017, Erie County Council agreed to be the financial sponsor, a requirement of the state. It plans to pay for its share with casino gaming revenue and contributions from the Erie Community Foundation in the initial years. The county has been waiting for an answer on its application for almost two and a half years. The state board again delayed a decision recently when, instead of voting on the application, it voted to hold an evidentiary hearing within the next six months.

Q: Why do Erie leaders think a college is so important? 
A:
Proponents see it as a solution to generational poverty and as a way to address socio-economic and educational disparities. They believe a community college is a piece of a larger economic-development puzzle. It could, they believe, help fill in-demand jobs currently occupied by an aging workforce and meet the needs of an ever-evolving economy, especially as long-established companies like G.E. Transportation (now Wabtec) continue to shed jobs.

Q: Who is opposed to it, and what’s their reasoning?
A:
Some residents are adamant that county government shouldn't be in the education business. They object to their tax dollars being used for a community college and worry their tax rates will increase because of it. Others believe that ample post-secondary educational offerings already exist in Erie County by way of Gannon and Mercyhurst universities (private, four-year schools) and Edinboro and Penn State Behrend, which are part of the state system. 

Q: What’s the political angle to all of this? Who’s pulling the strings?
A:
State Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson County), has been one of the most outspoken critics. He has repeatedly said a community college in Erie would duplicate services already provided by the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, which operates in nine counties, including Erie. Scarnati was a founder of the NPRC, which is not a community college in the eyes of the state but is state-funded. The NPRC has a distance-learning model that strives to keep costs low by leasing classroom space, instead of owning and maintaining buildings. 

Q: Why should taxpayers care about Erie’s college controversy?
A:
It serves as a litmus test for the future growth of the state's community college system. It's been 25 years since the state approved a new community college. When the system was established back in the 1960s, the state envisioned twice as many community colleges than the 14 it has now. And Erie isn't the only community lining up at the doors of the Department of Education. The Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project, which is about three years behind Erie in the process, wants to establish a community college for the 300,000 people in Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties who lack access to affordable post-secondary education.

Read more about Erie's battle

We've been challenged to raise $10,000 by Dec. 31

The Wyncote Foundation and NewsMatch, a national matching gift campaign, will TRIPLE every gift to Spotlight PA if we hit the goal. Help us prove that Pennsylvanians support investigative journalism about our state government.

YES, TRIPLE MY GIFT!

We're still $6,748 from our goal. Give now and help us hold power to account.

Since last week, these donors have had their gifts tripled: Mark R., Lisa E., Margaret T., William P., Mimi H-B, Deborah W., J. Cordingley, Robert H., Ann P., Meg M. & Peter C., Stephen G., Rosa & Alberto E., A. Withrow, Julie D., Kevin K., and Michael S. Thank you!

Only the best

 SPOTLIGHT PA 

Secrecy, deal-making rule in process to pick Pa.'s interim judges

Wolf's nomination of a top GOP aide for a coveted judgeship is renewing scrutiny on a process mostly hidden from the public.

 THE INQUIRER 

Rising number of pregnant women in Pa. report workplace discrimination

Push to update laws barring pregnancy discrimination gains traction in other states but remains stalled here.

» After 28 years in toxic Philly classrooms, this teacher is in a fight for her life
» Auditor General blasts Pittsburgh Public Schools for lavish travel for top admins
» Nearly half of all train engineers have experienced a death on the tracks
» Why it's so hard to force people to get mental-health treatment in Pa.
» Unlike in most states, families in Pa. say playing youth football is still worth the risks
» Gov. Wolf says he’s got nothing to hide on pipeline permitting
» Bill limiting gifts to public officials moves in Pa. legislature
THE RIDDLER

Send your answers to newsletters@spotlightpa.org.
 
Behind bars (Case No. 11): A man was handed a card and was immediately taken to jail. Bail was set at $50. But he never went to jail, was never locked up and never paid any money. How come?
 
Stumped? Get a hint. Feeling smart? Challenge a friend.

Last week's answer: The homeowner was lying about the moonlight because it was a rainy night. Congrats to Andy C., who will receive Spotlight PA swag. Other subscribers who correctly answered: Deborah D., Edward O., Melinda C., Jenn D., Susan A., Claudia M., Lou R., Ted P., Lora L., Leo M., Dennis P., and Jon N.
» This week's Riddler hint: Moneybags
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Visit spotlightpa.org
Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and PennLive/The Patriot-News.

Copyright © Spotlight PA / The Philadelphia Inquirer, All rights reserved.


Spotlight PA
225 Market St., Suite 502A
Harrisburg, PA 17101
newsletters@spotlightpa.org

You're receiving this email because you signed up for updates about Spotlight PA's journalism. 
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.