Jan. 22, 2024Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa.’s broadband authority reverses position on key state law before new federal funding arrivesby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAThe Broadband Development Authority initially said it would waive a key section of the 2004 law that restricts publicly owned broadband networks. The agency reversed course after public comments.
Nov. 30, 2023Matt Smith / For Spotlight PACourt ruling on undated ballots brings confusion as Pa. counties certify November election resultsby Carter Walker of VotebeatA federal judge has ruled that Pennsylvania counties should accept undated and misdated mail ballots, but some consider the decision “prospective.”
June 2, 2022Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAAn obscure state law could blunt the impact of up to $1 billion in federal funding for Pennsylvania’s broadband expansionby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAFederal officials want the money to benefit publicly-owned networks, but Pa. law gives phone companies a “virtual veto.”
March 18, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerFringe theory cited in Pa. redistricting case could give legislatures unchecked election powerby Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PA and Matt Vasilogambros of StatelineLegal experts and voting rights advocates warn the "independent state legislature doctrine" could radically alter election administration across the country.
Feb. 15, 2022Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PAJustice Department finds Pa. courts discriminated against people with opioid use disorderby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAA letter from the Department of Justice could have widespread ramifications for Pennsylvanians who are under a court’s supervision and use doctor-prescribed medications to treat opioid use disorder.
Feb. 8, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesWolf asks GOP-led legislature to spend Pa.’s federal aid dollars as he pitches $1.8B boost for educationby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThough Wolf’s nearly $44 billion financial blueprint does not include any proposed tax increases, it is almost certain to face pushback from GOP leaders.
Dec. 8, 2021Matt Smith / For Spotlight PARenters in parts of Pa. shut out of rent relief as counties elsewhere sit on millions in unused aidby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAThe inefficiency was caused by state lawmakers who chose to distribute most of the money by population rather than the actual number of renters in each county.
Nov. 24, 2021THOMAS HENGGE / Philadelphia InquirerA staffing crisis at Pa. child care centers is upending family routines and slowing the economic recoveryby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAThe shortages, caused by low wages and razor-thin profit margins, have ripple effects that reach far beyond the classroom and affect everyone.
Sept. 29, 2021Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PANew records reveal the cost of Pa.’s failure to clarify rules around addiction treatment and marijuanaby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAFor 17 months, medical marijuana users were wrongly denied access to some care and funding options because of the Wolf administration’s inaction.
Aug. 4, 2021YONG KIM / Philadelphia InquirerFeds roll back ‘confusing’ addiction funding rules that had deadly consequence in Pa.by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAThe change impacts people who need addiction treatment and use medical marijuana for a substance use or mental health disorder.
July 29, 2021JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerThousands of Pa. households still waiting for rental relief as eviction ban nears its endby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAAs local governments and nonprofits race to distribute $870 million in federal funding for rent and utility relief, just 17% of that money has reached desperate tenants.
July 5, 2021TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerPa. lawmakers are on summer break. Here are 5 issues they’ll face this fall.by Lindsay Weber for Spotlight PADemocrats and Republicans recently recessed until September without resolving key issues including election reform, cocktails to-go, lobbying reform, and more.
June 25, 2021CHARLES FOX / Philadelphia InquirerPa.’s $40 billion budget includes more money for poorest school districts, saves bulk of federal relief fundingby Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PARepublicans said squirreling away $5 billion in federal money was smart planning for the future, while Democrats lamented the investments that might have been.
June 10, 2021CHARLES FOX / Philadelphia InquirerLegislature votes to immediately end Pa.’s coronavirus disaster declaration while keeping waivers in placeby Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PARepublicans said terminating the emergency order was what Pennsylvanians demanded when they granted the legislative branch new powers during the May primary.