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FanDuel, DraftKings, and other online gambling apps are displayed on a phone.

Barstool influencers pushed anti-tax message as Pa. lawmakers privately debated sports betting proposal

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

The 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.

A row of lockers at Bennetts Valley Elementary School in Weedville, Pennsylvania on April 5, 2023.

SEARCH: See how much money your Pa. school district will receive to close adequacy, tax burden gaps

by Kate Huangpu and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Lawmakers approved a second year of supplements targeting districts that fall short of adequate per-student spending benchmarks.

Solar panels in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

Solar rooftop program for Pa. schools survives budget deal that cut major climate policy

by Kyle Bagenstose of Inside Climate News

Solar 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.

The executive order former Gov. Tom Wolf signed directing PA to enter RGGI.

Democrats sacrifice climate program for $50.1B budget agreement

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative would have capped the amount of carbon that companies in Pennsylvania are allowed to emit.

The state Captiol

$50.1B budget that ends impasse sends $565M to needy schools, makes key climate concession

by Stephen Caruso and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

The 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.

Work continues at a shale gas well drilling site in St. Mary's, Pa., March 12, 2020.

Democrats may sacrifice climate program to break Pennsylvania's budget impasse

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a key climate change program, has been tied up in litigation for years.

Activity outside the governor's office in the state Capitol in October 2025.

All the major players in Pa.’s budget impasse met in person this week. Will a deal follow?

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

The talks are occurring as Pennsylvania’s budget approaches four months late, and counties and nonprofits increasingly sound the alarm about the impasse.

A row of lockers at Bennetts Valley Elementary School in Weedville, Pennsylvania on April 5, 2023.

School districts forced to cut programs, take out loans as Pa. budget impasse continues

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Districts in poorer areas are the hardest hit by the budget impasse, as they tend to rely more heavily on the state for funding.

The Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, pictured in autumn.

Budget impasse continues as Pa. lawmakers travel abroad and hold pricey fundraisers

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Harrisburg has seen more than 130 legislative fundraisers and two international trips since the June 30 budget deadline.

Easterseals executive Tim Kerrihard talks to students at the nonprofit's north Philadelphia community center on September 19, 2025.

Financial pain for many Pa. service providers will continue after budget impasse ends

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania state House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery)

Pennsylvania’s budget impasse hits 100 days, and a new proposal seems unlikely to end it

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

State House Democrats passed a $50.3 billion plan, while GOP leaders again emphasized spending concerns.

The exterior of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg.

Taxpayers could end up footing the bill as counties weigh borrowing to survive Pa. budget impasse

by Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Some counties are draining their own reserves, cutting services, or laying off workers as state lawmakers continue debating the budget.

Pittsburgh Steelers players huddle during football practice ahead of their game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin.

Lawmakers, Shapiro admin officials in Ireland during budget crisis for Steelers game, trade talks

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Attendees 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.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks in front of a bus from Lehigh Valley transit agency LANTA.

Cuts, fare hikes, canceled expansions: How failed Pa. transit funding talks could affect small systems

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

The funding scheme keeping money flowing to Philly, Pittsburgh transit systems may not be available to smaller agencies across Pennsylvania.

Gov. Josh Shapiro shakes hands with state Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (right) in 2023.

A 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 PA

All of the major players are still fighting for their priorities, and no one seems ready to make the next move.

A man sits on a SEPTA platform.

Shapiro admin approves major SEPTA cash infusion to reverse cuts without legislative action

by Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

The request comes shortly after a court ruling that is forcing SEPTA to reverse major service cuts.

A SEPTA train at the Croydon Station.

SEPTA agrees to reverse major service cuts that were struck down by judge

by Associated Press

The transit agency slashed services to make up for a $200 million budget deficit, but the move was successfully challenged in court. Restoration of the cuts could take 10 days, SEPTA estimates.

The Pennsylvania Capitol building illuminated in teal for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Small programs like rape crisis centers bear heavy burden of Pa.’s budget impasse

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Safety net programs across the commonwealth are laying off staff, cutting back services, or taking out loans.

Gene J. Puskar / AP

Uber says it has a solution to Pa.’s public transit funding problem. There’s a big catch.

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Uber wants Pa. lawmakers to officially classify its drivers as independent contractors, stripping them of certain rights.

A SEPTA train at the Croydon Station.

SEPTA service cuts, the late Pa. budget, and what you need to know

by Spotlight PA Staff

More funding for SEPTA is tied up in Pennsylvania’s two-month-late budget. Lawmakers may be getting closer to a solution.

Gov. Josh Shapiro at an August 2025 news conference on public transit funding.

Shapiro’s office pitches $49.9B compromise budget in bid to end 2-month impasse

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Democrats support the proposal, which would increase Pennsylvania’s spending by 5% instead of the 8% Shapiro originally wanted.

Gov. Josh Shapiro rides a SEPTA train to promote the need for transit funding.

Shapiro open to using special transit funding to combat SEPTA cuts as part of broader package

by Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

However, the governor has rejected a GOP idea to use some of the transit money for roads and bridges.

Books in the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre.

Belt tightening is underway for libraries, foster care, and more as Pa. budget sits unfinished

by Angela Couloumbis and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

The budget is more than seven weeks late and there’s no sign of a deal in Harrisburg. That’s starting to mean cuts for funding recipients.

The Amtrak station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Amtrak: SEPTA cuts could affect service all across Pennsylvania

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Impacted Amtrak lines could include the Keystone and Pennsylvanian, which serve Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia.

Gov. Josh Shapiro shakes hands with state Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (right) in 2023.

The conflicting visions to fund SEPTA and Pa.'s other public transit agencies, explained

by Kate Huangpu and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Lawmakers have missed SEPTA’s deadline to act to forestall cuts, divided over where money for transit should come from.

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