Author Archive: Staff, Spotlight PA
Great Pa News Quiz: Sworn in on Banned Books, Fetterman’s Troll Target, and an Amtrak Revival
In this week’s news quiz: School official sworn in on a stack of banned books, Fetterman’s troll target, and an Amtrak revival update.
How Local Government Works: A Key Factor in Determining Property Taxes Varies Wildly Across Pennsylvania
Property taxes are the lifeblood of municipal revenue and services in Pennsylvania, but depending on when a county last assessed its property values, local governments can overflow with cash or be strapped for it.
New Pa. House Rules Sought to Strengthen Bipartisanship. Insiders Say It Didn’t Work.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — During the chaotic start to this year's legislative session, Pennsylvania House Democrats used their new majority to pass a high-profile set of changes to chamber rules that backers said would make the government more productive and bipartisan.
We Tracked Josh Shapiro’s 11 Biggest Campaign Promises Through His First Year. See How He Did.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — During his run for governor, Josh Shapiro was boosted by his reputation as a deal-making coalition-builder.
Pa. Legislature Paid $280K to Settle Harassment, Other Claims While Requiring Secrecy in Many Cases
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania legislature has quietly paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past five years to settle sexual harassment and other claims against lawmakers and staffers, Spotlight PA has learned through open records requests.
Great Pa News Quiz: 2024 Vision, Snow Droughts, Impeachment Court, and War Machines
In this week’s quiz: Pennsylvania feeds an arms race, a seismic election ruling, and a long time with very little snow:
Court Ruling on Undated Ballots Brings Confusion as Pa. Counties Certify November Election Results
In the wake of a long-awaited federal court ruling, Pennsylvania counties are making diverging decisions about whether to count undated and misdated mail ballots cast during the November election.
Opioid Settlement Money Is Supposed to Expand Syringe Services. Pa.’s Drug Laws Stand in the Way.
BOLIVAR, Pa. — In the basement of a former Catholic church, in a tiny Westmoreland County town battling with a drug epidemic, Kim Botteicher risks arrest to help those who are addicted to opioids and other substances.
How the Ongoing Pa. Budget Impasse Is Hurting Community Colleges, Libraries
HARRISBURG, Pa. — As Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to debate whether to fund parts of the state budget, people who run key programs around the commonwealth are being forced to make tough decisions.
How Spotlight Pa’s Nonpartisan Journalism Cuts Through the Noise and Gets Results
HARRISBURG — State capitols are the testing grounds for the future of our country.
