legislature

January 29, 2025 | 6:18 PM

Election reforms, mental health funding, and 911 support — counties set their legislative priorities

By Jordan Wilkie/WITF

February 26, 2023 | 7:31 AM

This group gets left-leaning policies passed in red states. How? Ballot measures

The Fairness Project has created a playbook for using ballot initiatives to go around GOP-led state legislatures

By Laura Benshoff/NPR

January 29, 2023 | 6:44 AM

Election-denying Pennsylvania lawmakers hold key election oversight roles

High-profile appointments give the lawmakers a platform to cast further doubt on the integrity of elections in states that will be pivotal for selecting the next president in 2024.

By Marc Levy and Jonathan J. Cooper/The Associated Press

December 11, 2022 | 6:19 PM

Pennsylvania House Republicans file lawsuit to block Democratic-scheduled special elections

Democrats are eager for the contests to take place and presumably cement their majority, while Republicans seek to maintain some measure of power.

By Stephen Caruso/SpotlightPA

September 14, 2022 | 4:28 PM

Clandestine plan to force a vote on Pa. legislative gift ban fails, lawmakers shrug

Advocates have long pushed to place limits on the monetary value of gifts lobbyists can give to lawmakers, but it would take action from the people who benefit most.

By Stephen Caruso/SpotlightPA

May 31, 2022 | 5:12 AM

Gift ban, other government reforms changes stall in Pennsylvania despite promises from leadership

Government reform advocates argue the legislature, swayed by donors and leadership, lacks the political will to rid itself of the perks of being in elected office.

By Christina Baker/Spotlight PA

October 12, 2021 | 5:15 AM

Pa. lawmakers spend millions of tax dollars on private lawyers but often don’t reveal why

A review of thousands of pages of documents shows the cases ranged from public records fights to secret personnel problems to attempts to overturn last year’s presidential election.

By Angela Couloumbis/Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch/The Caucus

February 16, 2021 | 8:07 AM

Toward Racial Justice speakers look to possibilities for police and policy reform in 2021

“Policing took center stage for everyone in 2020,” Moderator Charles Ellison said, despite the ongoing, deadly pandemic, after police killed George Floyd in Minneapolis.

By Alanna Elder/WITF

February 8, 2021 | 5:04 AM

How some Pa. lawmakers score a ‘golden parachute’ to pad their pensions

Ex-state legislators are frequently on the shortlist to join Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board, which boasts an annual salary of $145,000.

By Angela Couloumbis/Spotlight PA

February 4, 2021 | 12:48 PM

Pa. lawmakers’ spending jumps, boosting reserves during pandemic

Total spending reached $392 million, up from $362 million the prior year and from $355 million in the 2017-18 year. Payroll costs grew by about $29 million.

By Mark Scolforo/The Associated Press

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