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Gridlock may kill bipartisan constitutional changes

Plus, legislature unlikely to reform law that led to higher utility bills.

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Friday, September 6, 2024
Today: Constitutional amendments, utility bills, Russian influence, debate schedule, student settlement, and a house divided. 
END OF THE ROAD

Six far-reaching proposals to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution are unlikely to get the final legislative votes they need to reach voters in the near future.

Such measures don’t need approval from the state’s governor. However, they do require cooperation between the state House and Senate, which different political parties currently control.

The split has halted progress on both proposals where there’s wide disagreement and ones that have bipartisan backing. 

That includes a long-sought amendment that would extend the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. 

Read Spotlight PA's full report: Action unlikely on relief for abuse victims, other proposed constitutional amendments before deadline

NOTABLE / QUOTABLE

"Nature can help heal and Pennsylvanians are fortunate that there are hundreds of state and local parks and thousands of miles of trails that are waiting for them to explore."

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on a push to promote state parks as a resource for those in recovery from substance abuse and addiction
📍 LANDMARKS ART
An illustration of Pennsylvania with iconic landmarks throughout.
Our exclusive PA Landmarks Artwork features landmarks and favorites from across Pennsylvania. And now — for the first time ever — it can be yours for your home, office, or as the perfect gift for the coming holiday season.

Four years ago, we commissioned Pennsylvania artist Brandt Imhoff to dream up an exclusive, hand-drawn design showcasing the pride and joy of the commonwealth. That design became the showcase of our popular tote bag.

Framed prints now available in 11x17, 14x20 and 18x24. Gets yours now »
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📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
On Thursday, Sep. 19 from 6-7 p.m. ET,  join Spotlight PA’s Ed Mahon on Zoom for a live panel on Pennsylvania’s child care staffing shortage, and the solutions proposed by lawmakers and advocates. RSVP HERE.
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DAILY RUNDOWN
Today's top news story in Pennsylvania.
CLOCK IS TICKING: A 2016 law that has led to higher utility bills for communities across the state appears unlikely to see action by the Pennsylvania legislature as this session draws to a close, Spotlight PA reports. A committee in the state House advanced bills that would put guardrails on private acquisitions of public water and wastewater systems. But lawmakers have days left to vote before having to start over.
 
Today's second top news story in Pennsylvania.
SWING-STATE SCHEME: Months after intel officials warned Russia was planning to target voters in swing states like Pennsylvania to influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, the Biden administration announced related sanctions this week. Officials say the effort sought to bolster Donald Trump's chances, but Russian President Vladimir Putin quickly tried to muddy that narrative.
 
Today's third top news story in Pennsylvania.DEBATE NIGHTS: The first presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is set for Tuesday in Philadelphia, with ground rules newly agreed to by both camps. In Pennsylvania's marquee U.S. Senate race, a debate between Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick will happen Oct. 3 in Harrisburg. Additional dates are being batted around, but it's unclear which will stick.
 
Today's fourth top news story in Pennsylvania.CLASS ACTION: More than four years after Penn State suspended in-person classes due to the coronavirus, impacted students may be eligible for a cut of a historic class-action settlement that was submitted for a federal judge’s approval this week, the Centre Daily Times (paywall) reports. About 72,000 former Penn State students would receive a share of $17 million if the proposal gets the go-ahead.

Today's fifth top news story in Pennsylvania.INSIDE OUT: Dauphin County Prison hasn't let incarcerated people outside for recreation time in nearly 20 years. That changed on Labor Day, and for some it meant the first time in years that they set foot outside the jail walls and in direct sunlight, PennLive (paywall) reports. Commissioner Justin Douglas hopes to see more of this, but understaffing at the jail means there are no guarantees.
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🤔 Know your news? Just over 10% of readers got a perfect score on last week's news quiz. See how you stack up with this week's.
IN OTHER NEWS
NICKEL MINES: An Amish woman seriously wounded in the 2006 mass shooting at the Amish West Nickel Mines School in Lancaster County died this week, LNP reports, via sister site WITF. Rosanna King was 23.

SEPTA FARES: SEPTA's financial crisis means fares are getting more expensive for riders who don't pay with cash. A 50-cent discount for online payments is gone. Parking fees at agency-owned surface lots will return.

TWO SIDES: A duplex in Pittsburgh's Highland Park neighborhood is a house divided — by politics. TribLIVE spoke with the occupants behind the warring yard signs out front and found more collegiality than one might expect.

NEWSAPALOOZA: Spotlight PA CEO and President Christopher Baxter will join former Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron on Sept. 14 to help kick off Point Park University's celebration of local news. Find tickets here.

NEW BEES: Penn State reports trained community scientists have found multiple new species of bee in Pennsylvania, and they were far more efficient than users of a popular biodiversity app.
SCRAMBLER
Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be countedPlease include your first name and last initial.
 
D L A S I P A I A R A C
 
Yesterday's answer: Fashionista

Congrats to our daily winners: Eric F., Timothy A., Linda G., Jack R., Ada M., Marty M., Stacy S., Barbara F., Karen W., Fran C., Jon W., Ted W., Bob C., Jane R., Barb K., Don H., Jody A., Karen K., Tom O., Richard A., Michael T., Wendy A., Amelia M., Connie K., Elaine C., Joel S., Jill C., Jeff Fe., Sherri A., Daniel M., Beth H., Perry H., Susan N.-Z., Janet K., Lynne E., Tom M., Mike H., Daniel S., Richard P., Stanley J., Craig E., Annette I., Vance D., Tish M., Shelley D., Susan K., Frances D., and Jeffrey Fo.
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