Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAWhat I DoI hold power players in Harrisburg to account and review proposals that could affect residents across Pennsylvanians as Spotlight PA’s capitol reporter. Voters may never again get to choose Pa.’s lieutenant governor candidatesA proposed constitutional amendment would allow a gubernatorial candidate to choose their running mate after the spring primary, much like the presidential race.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 23, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. House moves to get legal relief for clergy abuse victims back on spring ballot"Human error" by the Department of State derailed a constitutional amendment on whether survivors of decades-old sexual abuse should be able to sue.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 4, 2021Link copied to clipboardThere’s another path for survivors of clergy sex abuse to get justice. It faces an uphill climb in the legislature. Some survivors and their advocates believe the quickest way to remedy a Department of State mistake is to abandon the time-consuming path of amending the state constitution and pursue legislation.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 1, 2021Link copied to clipboardTop Pa. lawmakers who rejected election results denounce U.S. Capitol mob Republican leaders who have called into question the integrity of the election said objections should be handled peacefully and denounced violence at the U.S. Capitol.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 6, 2021Link copied to clipboardAs coronavirus hits home, Pa. GOP shifts messaging but still rejects mandatesStill, at least two Republican lawmakers said Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 diagnosis was proof masks and other mitigation efforts don’t work.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Dec. 15, 2020Link copied to clipboardIn rare move, bipartisan panel rejects Pa. House request to audit 2020 electionIn voting down the measure, the panel’s two Democrats said the audit would be duplicative of one already required by law.Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 23, 2020Link copied to clipboardRemaining $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash to prop up Pa. state budget rather than help ailing industriesThe action comes after outside groups like restaurants and hospitals have for months urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to use more of the relief funds to support them.Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 20, 2020Link copied to clipboardThe $1 billion plan to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts Gov. Tom Wolf’s idea relies on a hefty tax increase on high earners, which will be a nearly impossible sell to the legislature and many in the public.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 18, 2021Link copied to clipboardWolf asks for tax increase on Pa.’s top earners amid pandemic; GOP pans proposal as ‘irresponsible’The proposal is likely to be dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled legislature, whose leaders wasted little time shredding it with criticism, calling it unrealistic and hurtful to taxpayers.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 3, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. GOP lawmakers want voters to give them the power to end governor’s emergency ordersThe proposed constitutional amendment is the result of long-festering resentment against Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf over his actions to control the coronavirus pandemic.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 13, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. GOP senators refused to seat a Democrat and removed Lt. Gov. Fetterman from presidingThe new session of the Pennsylvania Senate got off to a chaotic start Tuesday, with Republicans refusing to seat a Democratic senator whose election victory has been certified by the state.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for the coronavirus, other officials in quarantine“During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19,” Wolf said in a Wednesday statement.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Dec. 9, 2020Link copied to clipboardPa. budget doesn’t raise taxes or bail out industries hit by the coronavirusHouse lawmakers were forced to vote remotely after additional COVID-19 cases were identified in the Capitol, sources said.Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 21, 2020Link copied to clipboardPa. GOP advances audit of 2020 election, says it’s not about fraudA resolution tasks a bipartisan committee that holds subpoena power with compiling a report on issues and “inconsistencies,” and hiring a firm to audit the vote.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 19, 2020Link copied to clipboardPa. voters will get the last word in struggle between Wolf and lawmakers. Here’s what you need to know. The legislature on Friday gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that would give state lawmakers the power to unilaterally end a disaster declaration.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. enacted 140 laws last year. Only 27 of them addressed the coronavirus.The nation’s largest full-time legislature — with some of the highest-paid lawmakers — emerged from 2020 having failed to address some of the public’s most pressing needs.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 3, 2021Link copied to clipboardA Pa. Republican lawmaker who marched to the Capitol before the mob attack is facing calls to resignState Sen. Doug Mastriano was seen in social media photos outside the Capitol before insurrectionists attacked the building.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 8, 2021Link copied to clipboardFrustrated by the Pa. legislature? How obscure rules kill reforms and fuel partisan gridlockThe rules put much of the power in the hands of the majority party, which Democrats and good-government groups said effectively stifles the voices of many Pennsylvanians.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboardGOP leadership silent after Pa. senator tests positive for COVID-19 after maskless election eventCoronavirus cases and hospitalizations are surging, making mitigation efforts like wearing masks and not gathering in small spaces more important than ever.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Dec. 1, 2020Link copied to clipboardPa. lawmaker claims Capitol unsafe after fifth member tests positive for COVID-19 Rep. Jim Gregory (R., Blair) announced Thursday evening he had tested positive for COVID-19.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 20, 2020Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
Voters may never again get to choose Pa.’s lieutenant governor candidatesA proposed constitutional amendment would allow a gubernatorial candidate to choose their running mate after the spring primary, much like the presidential race.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 23, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Voters may never again get to choose Pa.’s lieutenant governor candidatesA proposed constitutional amendment would allow a gubernatorial candidate to choose their running mate after the spring primary, much like the presidential race.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 23, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. House moves to get legal relief for clergy abuse victims back on spring ballot"Human error" by the Department of State derailed a constitutional amendment on whether survivors of decades-old sexual abuse should be able to sue.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 4, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. House moves to get legal relief for clergy abuse victims back on spring ballot"Human error" by the Department of State derailed a constitutional amendment on whether survivors of decades-old sexual abuse should be able to sue.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 4, 2021Link copied to clipboard
There’s another path for survivors of clergy sex abuse to get justice. It faces an uphill climb in the legislature. Some survivors and their advocates believe the quickest way to remedy a Department of State mistake is to abandon the time-consuming path of amending the state constitution and pursue legislation.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 1, 2021Link copied to clipboard
There’s another path for survivors of clergy sex abuse to get justice. It faces an uphill climb in the legislature. Some survivors and their advocates believe the quickest way to remedy a Department of State mistake is to abandon the time-consuming path of amending the state constitution and pursue legislation.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 1, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Top Pa. lawmakers who rejected election results denounce U.S. Capitol mob Republican leaders who have called into question the integrity of the election said objections should be handled peacefully and denounced violence at the U.S. Capitol.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 6, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Top Pa. lawmakers who rejected election results denounce U.S. Capitol mob Republican leaders who have called into question the integrity of the election said objections should be handled peacefully and denounced violence at the U.S. Capitol.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 6, 2021Link copied to clipboard
As coronavirus hits home, Pa. GOP shifts messaging but still rejects mandatesStill, at least two Republican lawmakers said Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 diagnosis was proof masks and other mitigation efforts don’t work.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Dec. 15, 2020Link copied to clipboard
As coronavirus hits home, Pa. GOP shifts messaging but still rejects mandatesStill, at least two Republican lawmakers said Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 diagnosis was proof masks and other mitigation efforts don’t work.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Dec. 15, 2020Link copied to clipboard
In rare move, bipartisan panel rejects Pa. House request to audit 2020 electionIn voting down the measure, the panel’s two Democrats said the audit would be duplicative of one already required by law.Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 23, 2020Link copied to clipboard
In rare move, bipartisan panel rejects Pa. House request to audit 2020 electionIn voting down the measure, the panel’s two Democrats said the audit would be duplicative of one already required by law.Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 23, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Remaining $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash to prop up Pa. state budget rather than help ailing industriesThe action comes after outside groups like restaurants and hospitals have for months urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to use more of the relief funds to support them.Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 20, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Remaining $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash to prop up Pa. state budget rather than help ailing industriesThe action comes after outside groups like restaurants and hospitals have for months urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to use more of the relief funds to support them.Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 20, 2020Link copied to clipboard
The $1 billion plan to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts Gov. Tom Wolf’s idea relies on a hefty tax increase on high earners, which will be a nearly impossible sell to the legislature and many in the public.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 18, 2021Link copied to clipboard
The $1 billion plan to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts Gov. Tom Wolf’s idea relies on a hefty tax increase on high earners, which will be a nearly impossible sell to the legislature and many in the public.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 18, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Wolf asks for tax increase on Pa.’s top earners amid pandemic; GOP pans proposal as ‘irresponsible’The proposal is likely to be dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled legislature, whose leaders wasted little time shredding it with criticism, calling it unrealistic and hurtful to taxpayers.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 3, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Wolf asks for tax increase on Pa.’s top earners amid pandemic; GOP pans proposal as ‘irresponsible’The proposal is likely to be dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled legislature, whose leaders wasted little time shredding it with criticism, calling it unrealistic and hurtful to taxpayers.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 3, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. GOP lawmakers want voters to give them the power to end governor’s emergency ordersThe proposed constitutional amendment is the result of long-festering resentment against Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf over his actions to control the coronavirus pandemic.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 13, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. GOP lawmakers want voters to give them the power to end governor’s emergency ordersThe proposed constitutional amendment is the result of long-festering resentment against Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf over his actions to control the coronavirus pandemic.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 13, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. GOP senators refused to seat a Democrat and removed Lt. Gov. Fetterman from presidingThe new session of the Pennsylvania Senate got off to a chaotic start Tuesday, with Republicans refusing to seat a Democratic senator whose election victory has been certified by the state.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. GOP senators refused to seat a Democrat and removed Lt. Gov. Fetterman from presidingThe new session of the Pennsylvania Senate got off to a chaotic start Tuesday, with Republicans refusing to seat a Democratic senator whose election victory has been certified by the state.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for the coronavirus, other officials in quarantine“During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19,” Wolf said in a Wednesday statement.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Dec. 9, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for the coronavirus, other officials in quarantine“During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19,” Wolf said in a Wednesday statement.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Dec. 9, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Pa. budget doesn’t raise taxes or bail out industries hit by the coronavirusHouse lawmakers were forced to vote remotely after additional COVID-19 cases were identified in the Capitol, sources said.Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 21, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Pa. budget doesn’t raise taxes or bail out industries hit by the coronavirusHouse lawmakers were forced to vote remotely after additional COVID-19 cases were identified in the Capitol, sources said.Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 21, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Pa. GOP advances audit of 2020 election, says it’s not about fraudA resolution tasks a bipartisan committee that holds subpoena power with compiling a report on issues and “inconsistencies,” and hiring a firm to audit the vote.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 19, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Pa. GOP advances audit of 2020 election, says it’s not about fraudA resolution tasks a bipartisan committee that holds subpoena power with compiling a report on issues and “inconsistencies,” and hiring a firm to audit the vote.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 19, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Pa. voters will get the last word in struggle between Wolf and lawmakers. Here’s what you need to know. The legislature on Friday gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that would give state lawmakers the power to unilaterally end a disaster declaration.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. voters will get the last word in struggle between Wolf and lawmakers. Here’s what you need to know. The legislature on Friday gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that would give state lawmakers the power to unilaterally end a disaster declaration.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. enacted 140 laws last year. Only 27 of them addressed the coronavirus.The nation’s largest full-time legislature — with some of the highest-paid lawmakers — emerged from 2020 having failed to address some of the public’s most pressing needs.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 3, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. enacted 140 laws last year. Only 27 of them addressed the coronavirus.The nation’s largest full-time legislature — with some of the highest-paid lawmakers — emerged from 2020 having failed to address some of the public’s most pressing needs.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Feb. 3, 2021Link copied to clipboard
A Pa. Republican lawmaker who marched to the Capitol before the mob attack is facing calls to resignState Sen. Doug Mastriano was seen in social media photos outside the Capitol before insurrectionists attacked the building.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 8, 2021Link copied to clipboard
A Pa. Republican lawmaker who marched to the Capitol before the mob attack is facing calls to resignState Sen. Doug Mastriano was seen in social media photos outside the Capitol before insurrectionists attacked the building.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 8, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Frustrated by the Pa. legislature? How obscure rules kill reforms and fuel partisan gridlockThe rules put much of the power in the hands of the majority party, which Democrats and good-government groups said effectively stifles the voices of many Pennsylvanians.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Frustrated by the Pa. legislature? How obscure rules kill reforms and fuel partisan gridlockThe rules put much of the power in the hands of the majority party, which Democrats and good-government groups said effectively stifles the voices of many Pennsylvanians.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Jan. 5, 2021Link copied to clipboard
GOP leadership silent after Pa. senator tests positive for COVID-19 after maskless election eventCoronavirus cases and hospitalizations are surging, making mitigation efforts like wearing masks and not gathering in small spaces more important than ever.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Dec. 1, 2020Link copied to clipboard
GOP leadership silent after Pa. senator tests positive for COVID-19 after maskless election eventCoronavirus cases and hospitalizations are surging, making mitigation efforts like wearing masks and not gathering in small spaces more important than ever.Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Dec. 1, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Pa. lawmaker claims Capitol unsafe after fifth member tests positive for COVID-19 Rep. Jim Gregory (R., Blair) announced Thursday evening he had tested positive for COVID-19.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 20, 2020Link copied to clipboard
Pa. lawmaker claims Capitol unsafe after fifth member tests positive for COVID-19 Rep. Jim Gregory (R., Blair) announced Thursday evening he had tested positive for COVID-19.Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA Nov. 20, 2020Link copied to clipboard