Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

How to Apply for a Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate or Rent Rebate

How to Apply for a Pennsylvania Property Tax Rebate or Rent Rebate

September 29, 2022 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s rent and property tax rebate program — which helps older and disabled residents offset the rising cost of housing — got a major, one-time boost this year as part of the state budget.
A Fight Over Public Records Could Threaten Novel Approach to Broadband in Rural Pennsylvania

A Fight Over Public Records Could Threaten Novel Approach to Broadband in Rural Pennsylvania

June 11, 2022 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. — Board meetings of the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission tended to be straightforward. No one had spoken during the public comment period in years.
Renters in Parts of Pa. Shut Out of Rent Relief as Counties Elsewhere Sit on Millions in Unused Aid

Renters in Parts of Pa. Shut Out of Rent Relief as Counties Elsewhere Sit on Millions in Unused Aid

December 10, 2021 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Outrage. Disappointment. Disbelief.
A Business Owner’s Guide To PA.’s Next Wave of COVID-19 Relief Grants

A Business Owner’s Guide To PA.’s Next Wave of COVID-19 Relief Grants

March 5, 2021 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
Help is on the way for Pennsylvania’s struggling bars, hotels, and restaurants, as $145 million in state grants becomes available this month.
New Coronavirus Grants for Small Pa. Businesses Aim for Inclusivity, but Can’t Track Success

New Coronavirus Grants for Small Pa. Businesses Aim for Inclusivity, but Can’t Track Success

February 26, 2021 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Applications open next month for $145 million in state grants for small hospitality businesses, with a significant change by lawmakers intended to ensure the money is more accessible to low-income and minority owners shut out from some relief last year.
Thousands of Pa. Families Face Potential Eviction Come the New Year

Thousands of Pa. Families Face Potential Eviction Come the New Year

December 11, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
Hundreds of thousands of families across Pennsylvania could lose their homes in January, after emergency unemployment benefits and federal eviction protections expire and as the state grapples with record numbers of new coronavirus cases.
Gaping Loopholes and Vague State Guidance Leave Some Pa. Families Out of a Home Despite Federal Ban on Evictions

Gaping Loopholes and Vague State Guidance Leave Some Pa. Families Out of a Home Despite Federal Ban on Evictions

November 2, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
Laura Gallagher waited until she was back in her car to cry.
Senate GOP Halts Fixes for Pa.’s Troubled Rent Relief Program, Surprising Even Their Own

Senate GOP Halts Fixes for Pa.’s Troubled Rent Relief Program, Surprising Even Their Own

October 22, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A last-ditch attempt to fix Pennsylvania’s ailing COVID-19 rent relief program hit a wall Wednesday after Senate Republican leadership did not advance legislation, making it likely many landlords and families on the financial brink will not get the aid they desperately need.
To Jumpstart Relief Program, Wolf Gives Landlords More Flexibility to Collect Unpaid Rent

To Jumpstart Relief Program, Wolf Gives Landlords More Flexibility to Collect Unpaid Rent

October 14, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — After Pennsylvania lawmakers failed for months to fix a troubled rent relief program, Gov. Tom Wolf intervened Tuesday, giving landlords flexibility to collect outstanding balances in the hope that more would agree to participate.
Federal Order Protects Many Pa. Renters From Eviction, Though Legal Challenges May Arise

Federal Order Protects Many Pa. Renters From Eviction, Though Legal Challenges May Arise

September 4, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — On Tuesday morning, Jason Kiefer went to get his mail and found two copies of an eviction notice taped to the door, scheduling a court hearing for Sept. 10. The address of the Lehigh County Courthouse was crossed out, replaced by “Zoom” in scribbled red letters.
After Waffling, Gov. Tom Wolf Says He Can’t Extend Pa.’s Eviction Ban, Looks to Lawmakers

After Waffling, Gov. Tom Wolf Says He Can’t Extend Pa.’s Eviction Ban, Looks to Lawmakers

September 2, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — First, he said he couldn’t.
Tax Collections in Pa. Rebound on Pent-Up Shopper Demand, but State Still Faces Huge Budget Deficit

Tax Collections in Pa. Rebound on Pent-Up Shopper Demand, but State Still Faces Huge Budget Deficit

August 6, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s finances received a welcome — but probably temporary — boost in July, with tax collections up 6.6% compared to the same time last year, according to figures released Monday by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office.
Minority-Owned Small Businesses Were Largely Shut Out of PA.’s First Coronavirus Loan Program

Minority-Owned Small Businesses Were Largely Shut Out of PA.’s First Coronavirus Loan Program

August 2, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — In March, less than a month into the coronavirus shutdown, Gov. Tom Wolf launched a low-interest loan program as a lifeline to “provide a little peace of mind to hundreds of small business owners and their employees.”
Pa. Issues New Eviction Moratorium After Fears Rent Relief Would Be Too Slow

Pa. Issues New Eviction Moratorium After Fears Rent Relief Would Be Too Slow

July 10, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania will offer another reprieve for the thousands of tenants struggling to pay rent because of the coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday, after Democratic lawmakers and advocates urged him to act.
A Promising Year for Pennsylvania’s State Budget Ends With a $3.2 Billion Thud

A Promising Year for Pennsylvania’s State Budget Ends With a $3.2 Billion Thud

July 6, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania closed out its fiscal year Tuesday with a $3.2 billion shortfall, with revenues falling 9% below official estimates as the state continues to grapple with the economic damage caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Evictions Could Begin Before Pa. Rental Assistance Program Can Provide Relief

Evictions Could Begin Before Pa. Rental Assistance Program Can Provide Relief

July 3, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A $150 million assistance program intended to provide rental payments on behalf of Pennsylvanians who are struggling amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus may not come soon enough to stave off some eviction proceedings.
Pa.’s Revenues Take Another Coronavirus Blow in May, Falling $440 Million Short of Expectations

Pa.’s Revenues Take Another Coronavirus Blow in May, Falling $440 Million Short of Expectations

June 2, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s tax revenues dropped 17% below official estimates in May, new figures from the state Department of Revenue show, as the economic fallout from the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the state’s finances.
Desperate for Cash, Self-Employed Pennsylvanians Face High-Stakes Choice Between Loans and Unemployment Benefits

Desperate for Cash, Self-Employed Pennsylvanians Face High-Stakes Choice Between Loans and Unemployment Benefits

April 19, 2020 | Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA
In theory, Hannah Koshinsky had options.

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