With sales booming and complaints pouring in, some lawmakers want to reinstate a ban, but the state desperately needs the tax revenue.
Spotlight PA
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A promising year for Pennsylvania’s state budget ends with a $3.2 billion thud
The state permanently lost $444 million in June alone, with that number expected to be $5 billion overall by this time next year.
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Pa. GOP can’t unilaterally end Gov. Tom Wolf’s coronavirus disaster declaration, state Supreme Court rules
In the first of two constitutional showdowns, the court rejected the GOP’s argument that it can strip Wolf of his emergency power without his consent.
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Pa. mandates masks for anyone who can’t maintain social distancing while leaving house amid pandemic
Health Secretary Rachel Levine said the order was necessary to prevent another statewide shutdown.
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Evictions could begin before Pa. rental assistance program can provide relief
The program will begin accepting applications July 6, but with the eviction moratorium set to expire a few days later, some fear the cash won’t flow fast enough.
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Politics, fear keep some COVID-positive people from disclosing contacts. What’s the solution?
Some counties are leaning on trusted community messengers to improve contact tracing success.
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Effort to track police use of force in Pa. would lack racial data, public transparency
The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill to require use-of-force tracking and reporting, but critics contend it falls short of broader efforts elsewhere.
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‘Clear as mud’: How Pa.’s chaotic coronavirus waiver program hurt small businesses
As Pennsylvania reopens, the long-term consequences of inconsistency and a lack of enforcement are becoming evident in downtowns throughout the state.
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Prospects dimming for behind-the-scenes push to expand video gaming in Pa.
A clash of deep-pocketed lobbying interests and concerns from some rank-and-file Republican lawmakers might stall the effort, though it will probably return in the fall.
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After sudden Turzai resignation, GOP elevates new leadership in Pa. House
Lancaster County Republican Bryan Cutler assumes control as new House speaker as the legislature faces mammoth challenges with the coronavirus, finances, and police reform.
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Mother of Antwon Rose II applauds confidential police hiring database, but does it go far enough?
While Pennsylvania takes its first steps on police reform, other states are far ahead in making misconduct data and records available to the public.
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Top Pa. GOP lawmaker fast-tracking a lucrative gambling expansion that would benefit a major campaign donor
The maneuvering offers a window into the raw intersection between politics and policy-making in Pennsylvania, and how campaign dollars can drive the legislative agenda.
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Despite landmark ruling, Pa. GOP leaders in no hurry to extend LGBTQ protections under state law
Advocates say action is necessary to close gaps in equality, but a House Republican committee chair said he’ll have “to see where this ranks” with other issues.
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Pa. will give health systems $175 million to lead coronavirus response inside state’s struggling nursing homes
These collaboratives will be tasked with implementing best practices for infection control and expanding testing “to include asymptomatic staff and residents,” a critical need.
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Health officials failed to safeguard trust in Pa.’s coronavirus data, sowing confusion
The pandemic posed a massive challenge for an underfunded public health system, but experts say officials failed to heed best practices when presenting the numbers.