Spotlight PA

In voting down the measure, the panel’s two Democrats said the audit would be duplicative of one already required by law.

Years of financial oversight through Act 47 has prepared cities that were thought to be doomed by the pandemic, while others face cuts and potentially massive tax hikes.

House lawmakers were forced to vote remotely after additional COVID-19 cases were identified in the Capitol, sources said.

The 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.

A long line of service providers and industries — including restaurant owners — are still seeking coronavirus bailouts, but increasingly fear the cash might go toward the state’s budget.

School districts are still owed millions and have already passed budgets and set tax rates, putting more pressure on lawmakers in Harrisburg to come up with a solution.

Officials say the state is in a different place than 6 months ago, but without more testing, contact tracing, and efforts to isolate sick people, cases — and deaths — will continue to rise.

While Pennsylvania already conducts post-election audits, Republicans say they will launch hearings to investigate the election.

The state’s three-phase plan will prioritize health-care personnel, frontline and emergency workers, and those working with vulnerable populations.