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

Pa. unemployment system buckling under pressure

♡ Support Us
The Investigator

Breaking news on Pa.'s response to the coronavirus

March 31, 2020 | spotlightpa.org

As of Friday, the number of new unemployment claims filed in Pennsylvania since the shutdown surpassed the total for all of 2019. And the state's unemployment system is buckling under the pressure, in part because of a 2016 political spat between the governor and legislature that gutted staffing.

Also, we'll get our first picture of state tax revenues later this week (and it's going to be rough). On Friday, the state laid off about 2,500 seasonal and part-time workers, and we're betting there are more to come. Gov. Tom Wolf has already issued a hiring freeze and general purchasing ban for agencies.

On another front, there is growing concern for those incarcerated in the state prison system. Inmate advocates and corrections officers alike think it's poised for an outbreak with potentially devastating consequences. On Saturday, the first inmate tested positive and the entire system was placed under quarantine.

There is no end in sight for Pennsylvania's widespread shutdown, as Wolf on Monday said schools will remain closed indefinitely and the expanding stay-at-home orders — now covering 26 counties — will remain in place until at least the end of April. In like a lion, out like a ... lion?

You can stay up-to-date on the latest case counts in the state and view a county-by-county map with our live tracker, which now includes testing data.

Finally, our job of informing you is 100% essential and we won't stop no matter what happens. But unlike other news organizations, we depend on your donations to keep us going. Join the growing number of people showing their support for our urgent public-service journalism by making a gift now.
 

YES, I WILL CONTRIBUTE
We're united with you and we're all in this together. As always, if you have tips, story ideas or other comments, don't hesitate to reach out. Stay safe.

Christopher Baxter, Spotlight PA
Latest coverage from Spotlight PA
» Pa. eases rules for health care workers, others as crisis reveals ‘inflexibility’ in licensing
» Gov. Tom Wolf’s former business keeps operating despite losing state waiver
» Syringe exchanges deemed ‘life-sustaining,’ raising hopes for legalization
» How many people in Pa. will be infected with the coronavirus? Read about the models
» Delay of tax deadline due to coronavirus will cause ‘significant disruption’ to state budget
The best coronavirus guides in Pennsylvania

News organizations across the state have dropped their paywalls to allow the public free access to news and information about the coronavirus.

» SPOTLIGHT PA: Coverage of the state government and statewide issues
» PA POST: Coverage of statewide issues
» THE INQUIRER: Coverage of southeast Pennsylvania
» MORNING CALL: Coverage of the Lehigh Valley
» TIMES-TRIBUNE: Coverage of northeast Pennsylvania
» PENNLIVE: Coverage of central Pennsylvania
» POST-GAZETTE: Coverage of western Pennsylvania
» PUBLICSOURCE: Coverage of western Pennsylvania
» ERIE TIMES-NEWS: Coverage of northwest Pennsylvania
» OBSERVER-REPORTER: Coverage of southwest Pennsylvania
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.