Feb. 6, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesWho owns Pa.’s digitized history? We’re a step closer to an answer.by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PACommonwealth Court is considering a case that could determine whether digitized historical records belong to the public or are controlled by Ancestry.com.
Feb. 3, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesGOP leaders must stop tying relief for childhood sexual abuse survivors to ‘pet projects,’ Shapiro saysby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PARepublican leaders in the state Senate have refused to advance a window for abuse lawsuits unless it is tied to expanded voter ID.
Feb. 3, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro calls for more investment in Pa.’s poorest schools, public transit agencies as part of $53.3B budget pitchby Stephen Caruso and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PATo help pay for the new spending, Shapiro again called on lawmakers to tax and regulate slot-like skill games and legalize recreational marijuana.
Feb. 2, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro expected to address housing costs, energy demand, and unfinished business in budget pitchby Kate Huangpu and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAIn this election year — in which both parties will be trying to flip a legislative chamber — lawmakers could face pressure to finish a budget deal earlier than in the past.
Jan. 28, 2026Mark Pynes / APLawmaker whose second job running trade group raised ethics concerns says he’s stepping downby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAState Rep. Seth Grove says his early resignation has nothing to do with the growing backlash to his new job.
Jan. 28, 2026Marc Levy / APShapiro campaigned on getting justice for sexual abuse survivors. Some say he hasn’t done enough as governor.by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PASome abuse survivors want Gov. Josh Shapiro to take a harder stance when dealing with state Senate Republicans.
Jan. 26, 2026Rebecca Blackwell / APA new Pa. law aimed at keeping unregulated vapes out of the hands of kids may not actually workby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s first major effort to tackle vaping suffers from loopholes, insufficient funding for enforcement, and limited public health backing.
Jan. 23, 2026Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PALawmakers move to close meeting notice loophole after ruling weakens Pa. transparency lawby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe goal is to clearly define when local governments can forgo the Sunshine Act requirement of publicizing agendas at least 24 hours in advance.
Dec. 15, 2025Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. could end the year with the lowest number of new laws in at least a decadeby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAPennsylvania legislators have passed just 65 bills in 2025, which is poised to be an all-time low for the past decade, leaving key priorities unfinished.
Dec. 9, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesPennsylvania restricts weight-loss drugs for Medicaid patients amid budget woesby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe change will save hundreds of millions of dollars, the Shapiro administration estimates.
Dec. 2, 2025Sarah Anne Hughes / Spotlight PAFunding cuts and new oversight rules hit Pennsylvania's 14 cyber charter schoolsby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAPennsylvania is home to 14 cyber charter schools, which have ballooned in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nov. 26, 2025Sarah Anne Hughes / Spotlight PASkill games avoid regulation again in Pa. as gambling lobby war intensifiesby Stephen Caruso and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAA dispute over the level of taxation and accusations of retribution derailed another attempt to regulate skill games in Pennsylvania.
Nov. 25, 2025Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAThe Pa. budget includes two big tax credit changes. Here’s what you should know.by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PALawmakers created a new program to mirror the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, and adjusted an affordable housing credit to attract new investors.
Nov. 24, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesPennsylvania directs $220 million to SEPTA after railcar fires force evacuationsby Associated PressThe Federal Railroad Administration investigated five fires this year involving the Silverliner IV passenger railcars used by SEPTA.
Nov. 19, 2025Jeff Chiu / APBarstool influencers pushed anti-tax message as Pa. lawmakers privately debated sports betting proposalby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe videos raise questions about whether they constituted lobbying, and if Barstool Sports and its stars had the needed state registration to do such advocacy work.
Nov. 14, 2025Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PASEARCH: See how much money your Pa. school district will receive to close adequacy, tax burden gapsby Kate Huangpu and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PALawmakers approved a second year of supplements targeting districts that fall short of adequate per-student spending benchmarks.
Nov. 14, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesSolar rooftop program for Pa. schools survives budget deal that cut major climate policyby Kyle Bagenstose of Inside Climate NewsSolar for School remains one of the few policy bright spots for clean energy advocates following Pennsylvania’s newly negotiated exit from a carbon cap-and-trade program.
Nov. 12, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesDemocrats sacrifice climate program for $50.1B budget agreementby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative would have capped the amount of carbon that companies in Pennsylvania are allowed to emit.
Nov. 12, 2025Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA$50.1B budget that ends impasse sends $565M to needy schools, makes key climate concessionby Stephen Caruso and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe deal ends a four-month budget impasse that stopped the flow of billions of state dollars to schools, counties, and nonprofits that provide critical public services.
Nov. 10, 2025Keith Srakocic / Associated PressDemocrats may sacrifice climate program to break Pennsylvania's budget impasseby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a key climate change program, has been tied up in litigation for years.
Oct. 31, 2025Kate Huangpu / Spotlight PAAll the major players in Pa.’s budget impasse met in person this week. Will a deal follow?by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe talks are occurring as Pennsylvania’s budget approaches four months late, and counties and nonprofits increasingly sound the alarm about the impasse.
Oct. 27, 2025Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PASchool districts forced to cut programs, take out loans as Pa. budget impasse continuesby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PADistricts in poorer areas are the hardest hit by the budget impasse, as they tend to rely more heavily on the state for funding.
Oct. 24, 2025Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PABudget impasse continues as Pa. lawmakers travel abroad and hold pricey fundraisersby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAHarrisburg has seen more than 130 legislative fundraisers and two international trips since the June 30 budget deadline.
Oct. 15, 2025Stephen Caruso / Spotlight PAFinancial pain for many Pa. service providers will continue after budget impasse endsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAPennsylvania has made $40 million on frozen cash during the budget impasse. But it won’t pass on interest to service providers once that funding is released.
Oct. 8, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesPennsylvania’s budget impasse hits 100 days, and a new proposal seems unlikely to end itby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAState House Democrats passed a $50.3 billion plan, while GOP leaders again emphasized spending concerns.
Oct. 1, 2025Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PATaxpayers could end up footing the bill as counties weigh borrowing to survive Pa. budget impasseby Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PASome counties are draining their own reserves, cutting services, or laying off workers as state lawmakers continue debating the budget.
Sept. 26, 2025Peter Morrison / APLawmakers, Shapiro admin officials in Ireland during budget crisis for Steelers game, trade talksby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAAttendees include Kim Ward, the top lawmaker in the state Senate. She said the trip allows her to work on behalf of “Pennsylvania and Steeler Nation.”
Sept. 19, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesCuts, fare hikes, canceled expansions: How failed Pa. transit funding talks could affect small systemsby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe funding scheme keeping money flowing to Philly, Pittsburgh transit systems may not be available to smaller agencies across Pennsylvania.
Sept. 18, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesA big transit deal is off the table, but Pa.’s budget still isn’t done. What gives?by Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAAll of the major players are still fighting for their priorities, and no one seems ready to make the next move.
Sept. 8, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro admin approves major SEPTA cash infusion to reverse cuts without legislative actionby Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe request comes shortly after a court ruling that is forcing SEPTA to reverse major service cuts.
Spotlight PA Event: The past, present, and future of Pennsylvania’s mental health care systemsAttendJul 30