tag | pa legislature

They voted 116-86 for the GOP-backed proposal that would end emergency disaster declarations after 21 days, unless lawmakers approve an extension through a majority vote.

How Pennsylvanians vote, work and live depends on their zip code

Sen. Jay Costa is pushing sweeping campaign finance reforms that would set limits on political contributions, increase transparency and ban candidates from using campaign cash for personal benefit -- issues at the heart of a yearlong investigation published this week by The Caucus and Spotlight PA.

Campaign accounts must be used for “influencing the outcome of an election.” But what qualifies is largely open to interpretation.

Shelly Brown is one of two taxpayer-funded staffers under Senate leader Joe Scarnati who have access to a credit card issued by the top Republican’s political operation, even though neither of them has an official role with the campaign.

The proposed change to reduce oversight of their spending came just hours after an investigation revealed millions of dollars in hidden campaign expenses.

The senators gave differing explanations for the purpose of the trip and declined to disclose who joined them or exactly where they went.

Lawmakers quietly tucked a new provision into a bill that would reduce oversight and make it harder for the public to see how they spend their campaign cash.