Articles by: Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Pa. Lawmakers Concerned ‘Guidance’ for Schools Could Open the Door to COVID-19 Lawsuits

Pa. Lawmakers Concerned ‘Guidance’ for Schools Could Open the Door to COVID-19 Lawsuits

HARRISBURG, Pa. — As students prepare to begin a highly unusual school year, Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday told Wolf administration officials they’re concerned the state’s COVID-19 guidance could open districts to lawsuits. FULL ARTICLE
How Arguments in Washington Are Holding Up Coronavirus Relief in Pennsylvania

How Arguments in Washington Are Holding Up Coronavirus Relief in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. — There’s roughly $1 billion in unspent federal aid sitting in Pennsylvania’s coffers. Yet key players in the Capitol say they won’t make any decisions about how to spend the cash until Washington makes up its mind on a second coronavirus relief package. FULL ARTICLE
Pa. Education Secretary Will Step Down in October to Lead Lancaster Technical College

Pa. Education Secretary Will Step Down in October to Lead Lancaster Technical College

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s top education official will leave his post this fall to lead a technical college, just weeks into what promises to be an extraordinarily challenging school year for districts statewide as they grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. FULL ARTICLE
Gov. Tom Wolf Cited His Emergency Powers to Withhold Millions From a Pa. County. Now It’s Suing.

Gov. Tom Wolf Cited His Emergency Powers to Withhold Millions From a Pa. County. Now It’s Suing.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Central Pennsylvania county is suing Gov. Tom Wolf for nearly $13 million in coronavirus relief funding, claiming the governor overstepped his authority by withholding the money after local commissioners defied his state shutdown. FULL ARTICLE
More Financial Assistance May Be on the Way for Pennsylvanians Struggling to Pay Utility Bills

More Financial Assistance May Be on the Way for Pennsylvanians Struggling to Pay Utility Bills

HARRISBURG, Pa. — As regulators struggle to decide when to end Pennsylvania’s moratorium on utility shutoffs, a Republican lawmaker is seeking support to offer financial assistance to households and small businesses behind on their bills because of the coronavirus pandemic. FULL ARTICLE
Pa. Lawmakers Want Voters to Weaken Governor’s Emergency Powers, Boost Their Own

Pa. Lawmakers Want Voters to Weaken Governor’s Emergency Powers, Boost Their Own

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Having lost battle after battle to wrest control of Pennsylvania’s coronavirus response from Gov. Tom Wolf, the GOP-controlled legislature now wants voters to permanently weaken a governor’s emergency powers while boosting their own. FULL ARTICLE
Lawmakers Will Rule Again Over Redrawing of Pa. Political Boundaries, but Critics Aren’t Giving Up

Lawmakers Will Rule Again Over Redrawing of Pa. Political Boundaries, but Critics Aren’t Giving Up

HARRISBURG, Pa. – For a moment, anti-gerrymandering advocates in Pennsylvania had a victory in sight. FULL ARTICLE
In Pa.’s Growing Fireworks War, It’s Fed-Up Residents Versus Cold, Hard Cash

In Pa.’s Growing Fireworks War, It’s Fed-Up Residents Versus Cold, Hard Cash

HARRISBURG, Pa. — In July 1939, Pennsylvania Gov. Arthur James declared victory in the war on fireworks. FULL ARTICLE
Pennsylvania Mandates Masks for Anyone Who Leaves Their Home Amid Coronavirus Increases

Pennsylvania Mandates Masks for Anyone Who Leaves Their Home Amid Coronavirus Increases

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvanians are now required to wear masks whenever they leave their homes — rather than simply when they enter businesses — under a new order issued by the Wolf administration in response to the recent increase in coronavirus cases. FULL ARTICLE
Effort to Track Police Use of Force in Pa. Would Lack Racial Data, Public Transparency

Effort to Track Police Use of Force in Pa. Would Lack Racial Data, Public Transparency

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania may take a major step toward overseeing the greatest authority afforded police officers — the legal right to harm another person — by requiring that all instances of use of force be tracked and reported. FULL ARTICLE