Angela Couloumbis, Staff WriterWhat I DoI write about the intersection of money, politics, and policy-making in the Pennsylvania Capitol for Spotlight PA.717-787-5934Pa. Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, charged with stealing more than $500,000 from her own charity, will resignState Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell surrendered to police in Philadelphia on Wednesday morning before the attorney general was expected to announce criminal charges against her.Justine McDaniel and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Dec. 4, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa. Sen. Mike Folmer resigns after being charged with possessing child pornographyState Sen. Mike Folmer resigned Wednesday, a day after he was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and other crimes.Andrew Seidman and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Sept. 18, 2019Link copied to clipboardNo criminal charges against ex-Pa. legislator accused of sexual assault, jury recommendsThe grand jury, impaneled earlier this year to investigate the allegations against former State Rep. Brian Ellis (R., Butler), cited the woman’s delayed reporting of the incident and memory lapses of key witnesses, among other factors.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted Aug. 23, 2019Link copied to clipboardGov. Wolf signs budget containing some items Democrats opposeThe Democratic governor said he will sign the $34 billion spending plan sent to him by the Republican-controlled legislature.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil June 28, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa. GOP chairman resigns hours after an Inquirer story said he traded sexually explicit messages with a Philly Council candidateDiGiorgio, head of Pennsylvania's Republican Party since 2017, announced he was stepping down after The Inquirer reported he had traded sexually explicit messages with a GOP candidate for Philadelphia City Council.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer, Liz Navratil, and Chris Brennan June 25, 2019Link copied to clipboardCalls in Pa. Capitol keep coming for Sen. Daylin Leach to resignLeach continues to defend himself from what he has called fictional or exaggerated accounts of his behavior involving women. He said he plans to remain in office.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 10, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa. Catholic Conference to clergy sex abuse survivor: ‘Why do you have to troll here?’The exchange marked an unusual departure for the conference, which has largely tried to focus its comments on legislation, rather than individual victims.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil May 16, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa. legislature abruptly abandons attempt to limit public access to campaign expensesThe proposed change to reduce oversight of their spending came just hours after an investigation revealed millions of dollars in hidden campaign expenses.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Oct. 23, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa. state senator from Lebanon County charged with possession of child pornography Gov. Tom Wolf is calling for the resignation of Sen. Mike Folmer, a Republican.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Sept. 18, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa. Senate GOP to Lt. Gov. Fetterman: You ‘scarred the institution’In a rare rebuke, Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Senate penned a scathing letter to Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, asserting his “self-righteous defiance" of the chamber’s rules led to last week's chaotic fight on the floor, which has garnered national headlines.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil July 2, 2019Link copied to clipboardACLU lawsuit: Pa. state troopers violated law by stopping Latinos, acting as immigration officersBy usurping federal powers, troopers sent a message to communities across Pennsylvania: The state police are in the immigration business.Jeff Gammage and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 27, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa.'s $34B budget deal: More money for public education, but no minimum-wage increaseThe agreement, which still needs to be approved by both legislative chambers, contains few of Gov. Tom Wolf’s legislative priorities, such as an increase in the state’s $7.25 minimum wage and money for an ambitious program to improve infrastructure and battle blight across the state.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil June 24, 2019Link copied to clipboardPanel: Ex-Pa. prosecutor who investigated Penn State scandal should be disciplinedFrank Fina violated professional conduct rules during his investigation of child sexual-abuse cover-up allegations against top Penn State officials, a disciplinary board said.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 6, 2019Link copied to clipboardWhat’s on your mind? Pa. legislators learning it’s best to think twice before sharingThough the Pennsylvania legislature has policies on social media use, lawmakers from both parties have provided a string of embarrassing online posts, including several that have gone viral.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer May 9, 2019Link copied to clipboardRacial profiling in traffic stops? We won’t know, because Pa. State Police no longer track racial data.A nationwide survey by Spotlight PA found the Pa. State Police is one of only 11 statewide law enforcement agencies not collecting race data during traffic stops. In response, State Police officials said they would reverse course and resume collection.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Daniel Simmons-Ritchie of Spotlight PA Sept. 20, 2019Link copied to clipboardWoman who accused ex-Pa. lawmaker of rape ‘credible,’ but no charges will be brought, DA saysDauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo on Monday said he believed a woman who accused a onetime Pennsylvania legislator of rape was “credible,” but that it ultimately was not in the public interest to prosecute.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted Aug. 26, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa. Sen. Katie Muth read a letter from a former homeless man on the Senate floor last week — now she’s gone viralVideo of the episode was picked up on Twitter by NowThis (@nowthisnews), which has 2.3 million followers and describes itself as sharing “stories that move.” Items highlighted on its page often go viral, quickly getting shared across the country.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer July 1, 2019Link copied to clipboardRare fight erupts on Pa. Senate floor amid debate over program for the poorSenators engaged in a rare display of tempers punctuated by loud shouts, accusations, and a walkout.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 26, 2019Link copied to clipboardPa. working to pass a $34B budget this month. These are the issues dominating talks.Few in the Capitol appear stressed over the annual horse-trading ritual. This year, there is more money — revenues are running more than $800 million higher than projected — and more realism. But there are still key policy disagreements.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 14, 2019Link copied to clipboardGrand jury now investigating ex-Pa. lawmaker accused of sexual assaultDauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo has been investigating the allegations against ex-state Rep. Brian Ellis since the start of the year. This month, his office placed the case before a grand jury.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted May 22, 2019Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
Pa. Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, charged with stealing more than $500,000 from her own charity, will resignState Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell surrendered to police in Philadelphia on Wednesday morning before the attorney general was expected to announce criminal charges against her.Justine McDaniel and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Dec. 4, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, charged with stealing more than $500,000 from her own charity, will resignState Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell surrendered to police in Philadelphia on Wednesday morning before the attorney general was expected to announce criminal charges against her.Justine McDaniel and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Dec. 4, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Sen. Mike Folmer resigns after being charged with possessing child pornographyState Sen. Mike Folmer resigned Wednesday, a day after he was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and other crimes.Andrew Seidman and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Sept. 18, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Sen. Mike Folmer resigns after being charged with possessing child pornographyState Sen. Mike Folmer resigned Wednesday, a day after he was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and other crimes.Andrew Seidman and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Sept. 18, 2019Link copied to clipboard
No criminal charges against ex-Pa. legislator accused of sexual assault, jury recommendsThe grand jury, impaneled earlier this year to investigate the allegations against former State Rep. Brian Ellis (R., Butler), cited the woman’s delayed reporting of the incident and memory lapses of key witnesses, among other factors.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted Aug. 23, 2019Link copied to clipboard
No criminal charges against ex-Pa. legislator accused of sexual assault, jury recommendsThe grand jury, impaneled earlier this year to investigate the allegations against former State Rep. Brian Ellis (R., Butler), cited the woman’s delayed reporting of the incident and memory lapses of key witnesses, among other factors.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted Aug. 23, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Gov. Wolf signs budget containing some items Democrats opposeThe Democratic governor said he will sign the $34 billion spending plan sent to him by the Republican-controlled legislature.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil June 28, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Gov. Wolf signs budget containing some items Democrats opposeThe Democratic governor said he will sign the $34 billion spending plan sent to him by the Republican-controlled legislature.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil June 28, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. GOP chairman resigns hours after an Inquirer story said he traded sexually explicit messages with a Philly Council candidateDiGiorgio, head of Pennsylvania's Republican Party since 2017, announced he was stepping down after The Inquirer reported he had traded sexually explicit messages with a GOP candidate for Philadelphia City Council.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer, Liz Navratil, and Chris Brennan June 25, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. GOP chairman resigns hours after an Inquirer story said he traded sexually explicit messages with a Philly Council candidateDiGiorgio, head of Pennsylvania's Republican Party since 2017, announced he was stepping down after The Inquirer reported he had traded sexually explicit messages with a GOP candidate for Philadelphia City Council.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer, Liz Navratil, and Chris Brennan June 25, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Calls in Pa. Capitol keep coming for Sen. Daylin Leach to resignLeach continues to defend himself from what he has called fictional or exaggerated accounts of his behavior involving women. He said he plans to remain in office.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 10, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Calls in Pa. Capitol keep coming for Sen. Daylin Leach to resignLeach continues to defend himself from what he has called fictional or exaggerated accounts of his behavior involving women. He said he plans to remain in office.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 10, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Catholic Conference to clergy sex abuse survivor: ‘Why do you have to troll here?’The exchange marked an unusual departure for the conference, which has largely tried to focus its comments on legislation, rather than individual victims.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil May 16, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Catholic Conference to clergy sex abuse survivor: ‘Why do you have to troll here?’The exchange marked an unusual departure for the conference, which has largely tried to focus its comments on legislation, rather than individual victims.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil May 16, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. legislature abruptly abandons attempt to limit public access to campaign expensesThe proposed change to reduce oversight of their spending came just hours after an investigation revealed millions of dollars in hidden campaign expenses.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Oct. 23, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. legislature abruptly abandons attempt to limit public access to campaign expensesThe proposed change to reduce oversight of their spending came just hours after an investigation revealed millions of dollars in hidden campaign expenses.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Oct. 23, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. state senator from Lebanon County charged with possession of child pornography Gov. Tom Wolf is calling for the resignation of Sen. Mike Folmer, a Republican.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Sept. 18, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. state senator from Lebanon County charged with possession of child pornography Gov. Tom Wolf is calling for the resignation of Sen. Mike Folmer, a Republican.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer Sept. 18, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Senate GOP to Lt. Gov. Fetterman: You ‘scarred the institution’In a rare rebuke, Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Senate penned a scathing letter to Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, asserting his “self-righteous defiance" of the chamber’s rules led to last week's chaotic fight on the floor, which has garnered national headlines.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil July 2, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Senate GOP to Lt. Gov. Fetterman: You ‘scarred the institution’In a rare rebuke, Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Senate penned a scathing letter to Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, asserting his “self-righteous defiance" of the chamber’s rules led to last week's chaotic fight on the floor, which has garnered national headlines.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil July 2, 2019Link copied to clipboard
ACLU lawsuit: Pa. state troopers violated law by stopping Latinos, acting as immigration officersBy usurping federal powers, troopers sent a message to communities across Pennsylvania: The state police are in the immigration business.Jeff Gammage and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 27, 2019Link copied to clipboard
ACLU lawsuit: Pa. state troopers violated law by stopping Latinos, acting as immigration officersBy usurping federal powers, troopers sent a message to communities across Pennsylvania: The state police are in the immigration business.Jeff Gammage and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 27, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa.'s $34B budget deal: More money for public education, but no minimum-wage increaseThe agreement, which still needs to be approved by both legislative chambers, contains few of Gov. Tom Wolf’s legislative priorities, such as an increase in the state’s $7.25 minimum wage and money for an ambitious program to improve infrastructure and battle blight across the state.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil June 24, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa.'s $34B budget deal: More money for public education, but no minimum-wage increaseThe agreement, which still needs to be approved by both legislative chambers, contains few of Gov. Tom Wolf’s legislative priorities, such as an increase in the state’s $7.25 minimum wage and money for an ambitious program to improve infrastructure and battle blight across the state.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Liz Navratil June 24, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Panel: Ex-Pa. prosecutor who investigated Penn State scandal should be disciplinedFrank Fina violated professional conduct rules during his investigation of child sexual-abuse cover-up allegations against top Penn State officials, a disciplinary board said.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 6, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Panel: Ex-Pa. prosecutor who investigated Penn State scandal should be disciplinedFrank Fina violated professional conduct rules during his investigation of child sexual-abuse cover-up allegations against top Penn State officials, a disciplinary board said.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 6, 2019Link copied to clipboard
What’s on your mind? Pa. legislators learning it’s best to think twice before sharingThough the Pennsylvania legislature has policies on social media use, lawmakers from both parties have provided a string of embarrassing online posts, including several that have gone viral.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer May 9, 2019Link copied to clipboard
What’s on your mind? Pa. legislators learning it’s best to think twice before sharingThough the Pennsylvania legislature has policies on social media use, lawmakers from both parties have provided a string of embarrassing online posts, including several that have gone viral.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer May 9, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Racial profiling in traffic stops? We won’t know, because Pa. State Police no longer track racial data.A nationwide survey by Spotlight PA found the Pa. State Police is one of only 11 statewide law enforcement agencies not collecting race data during traffic stops. In response, State Police officials said they would reverse course and resume collection.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Daniel Simmons-Ritchie of Spotlight PA Sept. 20, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Racial profiling in traffic stops? We won’t know, because Pa. State Police no longer track racial data.A nationwide survey by Spotlight PA found the Pa. State Police is one of only 11 statewide law enforcement agencies not collecting race data during traffic stops. In response, State Police officials said they would reverse course and resume collection.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Daniel Simmons-Ritchie of Spotlight PA Sept. 20, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Woman who accused ex-Pa. lawmaker of rape ‘credible,’ but no charges will be brought, DA saysDauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo on Monday said he believed a woman who accused a onetime Pennsylvania legislator of rape was “credible,” but that it ultimately was not in the public interest to prosecute.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted Aug. 26, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Woman who accused ex-Pa. lawmaker of rape ‘credible,’ but no charges will be brought, DA saysDauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo on Monday said he believed a woman who accused a onetime Pennsylvania legislator of rape was “credible,” but that it ultimately was not in the public interest to prosecute.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted Aug. 26, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Sen. Katie Muth read a letter from a former homeless man on the Senate floor last week — now she’s gone viralVideo of the episode was picked up on Twitter by NowThis (@nowthisnews), which has 2.3 million followers and describes itself as sharing “stories that move.” Items highlighted on its page often go viral, quickly getting shared across the country.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer July 1, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Sen. Katie Muth read a letter from a former homeless man on the Senate floor last week — now she’s gone viralVideo of the episode was picked up on Twitter by NowThis (@nowthisnews), which has 2.3 million followers and describes itself as sharing “stories that move.” Items highlighted on its page often go viral, quickly getting shared across the country.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer July 1, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Rare fight erupts on Pa. Senate floor amid debate over program for the poorSenators engaged in a rare display of tempers punctuated by loud shouts, accusations, and a walkout.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 26, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Rare fight erupts on Pa. Senate floor amid debate over program for the poorSenators engaged in a rare display of tempers punctuated by loud shouts, accusations, and a walkout.Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 26, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. working to pass a $34B budget this month. These are the issues dominating talks.Few in the Capitol appear stressed over the annual horse-trading ritual. This year, there is more money — revenues are running more than $800 million higher than projected — and more realism. But there are still key policy disagreements.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 14, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Pa. working to pass a $34B budget this month. These are the issues dominating talks.Few in the Capitol appear stressed over the annual horse-trading ritual. This year, there is more money — revenues are running more than $800 million higher than projected — and more realism. But there are still key policy disagreements.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer June 14, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Grand jury now investigating ex-Pa. lawmaker accused of sexual assaultDauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo has been investigating the allegations against ex-state Rep. Brian Ellis since the start of the year. This month, his office placed the case before a grand jury.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted May 22, 2019Link copied to clipboard
Grand jury now investigating ex-Pa. lawmaker accused of sexual assaultDauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo has been investigating the allegations against ex-state Rep. Brian Ellis since the start of the year. This month, his office placed the case before a grand jury.Angela Couloumbis, Staff Writer and Brad Bumsted May 22, 2019Link copied to clipboard