Laura McCrystal covers everything about taxes, government revenue, and how such policies impact people in Philadelphia and beyond. She previously covered news in Montgomery County, including Bill Cosby's trial.

Latest Stories
As deadline looms to appeal 2020 Philly property assessments, thousands of homeowners are left in limbo

As deadline looms to appeal 2020 Philly property assessments, thousands of homeowners are left in limbo

September 15
After 2019 and 2020 reassessments led to tax hikes for thousands of homeowners, officials are working through a backlog of cases.
As Congress debates PFAS measures, lawmakers press 3M, DuPont, Chemours on chemicals they used

As Congress debates PFAS measures, lawmakers press 3M, DuPont, Chemours on chemicals they used

September 10
Lawmakers in Congress are still debating a defense spending bill that could include provisions for cleaning up PFAS. Meanwhile, 3M, DuPont, and Chemours appeared before a House committee to discuss the chemicals.
Here’s how a Montco school district created a tax relief program that others want to copy

Here’s how a Montgomery County school district created a tax relief program that others want to copy

September 7
The program offers rebate checks to senior homeowners and renters.
The goal? Clean water. The issue? Philly-area towns and state officials at odds over treatment system

The goal? Clean water. The issue? Philly-area towns and state officials at odds over treatment system

September 5
"It's quite a setback," one township water official said of the Department of Environmental Protection's request for more testing.
Read The Inquirer’s PFAS water contamination coverage

Read The Inquirer’s PFAS water contamination coverage

August 30
Catch up on The Inquirer's comprehensive coverage of PFAS water contamination.
How three towns outside Philly became ‘trailblazers’ on clean drinking water

How three towns outside Philly became ‘trailblazers’ on clean drinking water

August 30
The trio of townships dealing with water contamination have the highest municipal water standards for PFAS in the country.
Before DuPont and 3M hearing in Congress, activists highlight companies’ history with PFAS

Before DuPont and 3M hearing in Congress, activists highlight companies’ history with PFAS

August 28
The release of hundreds of pages of internal records comes as DuPont and 3M executive are set to testify at a congressional hearing in September about the companies' history with the harmful chemicals.
Latest female Philly cops harassment lawsuit echoes decades-long problem

‘If you want to be a man, then you’re going to act like a man’: Latest female cops harassment suit echoes decades-long problem

August 23
Amid national attention on sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement, experts say little has improved for female cops.
Philly soda tax: Here’s how much money it has raised, and how it’s been spent

Philly soda tax: Here’s how much money it has raised, and how it’s been spent

August 21
The tax has been in effect for 2½ years, withstanding legal challenges, opposition by the beverage industry, and Democratic primary challenges to Mayor Jim Kenney.
New Jersey’s rental tax has changed. Here’s how to know if your Shore home will be taxed.

New Jersey’s rental tax has changed. Here’s how to know if your Shore home will be taxed.

August 16
New Jersey's tax on short-term rentals was recently modified to help Shore homeowners. A guide to how the new exemptions work.