Pennsylvania headed for another budget battle
SPENDING SPREE: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf plans to increase spending as a way of fighting a $2 billion budget deficit. By Evan Grossman / PAWatchdog.org Gov. Tom Wolf delivered a blistering budget address Tuesday More...
Wolf administration says it has the votes for a tax hike
By Andrew Staub | PA Independent Anna McCauslin has fought Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed taxes increases for almost half a year. But she began to feel a pit in her stomach around 11:30 a.m. Friday, as signs More...
PA Senate expands wine sales to private retailers, but leaves liquor locked up
By Andrew Staub | PA Independent The Pennsylvania state Senate won’t give Pennsylvanians the chance to have a one-stop shop that sells beer, wine and liquor. Senators this week gutted legislation that would have More...
After Sandusky wins back pension, PA senator calls for stricter forfeiture law
By Andrew Staub | PA Independent Jerry Sandusky might have gotten his public pension back, but one lawmaker wants to ensure taxpayers aren’t footing the bill for other sex offenders’ retirements. State Sen. More...
Property tax elimination vote on horizon in Pennsylvania Senate
KILLING THE TAX: The state Senate could vote on a bill eliminating school property taxes as early as next week. By Andrew Staub | PA Independent Next week could be a big week for proponents of eliminating Pennsylvania’s More...
On verge of shutdown, PA’s struggling horse-racing industry could get more help
BETTING ON SUBSIDIES: Pacer Blackjack Princess competes in a qualifying race at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The struggling sport has seen a 71 percent drop in wagers from 2001 to 2014. By Andrew Staub Pennsylvania’s More...
Study: Pennsylvania hides $53 billion in debt
By Andrew Staub | PA Independent Pennsylvania fails to list $53 billion in debt on its balance sheet, giving it the third-most hidden debt among 10 Northeast states. Maybe it’s no surprise then that state lawmakers More...
Pennsylvania Week in Review: Nope, no budget yet, but online voter registration arrives
NO DEAL: So far, the building blocks of a state budget haven’t fallen into place. By PA Independent Staff Another week down, another week without a state budget. Republican lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf — big More...
Are PA beer distributors unable to tap full potential of craft beer surge?
By Andrew Staub | PA Independent There was a time when Joe Greco and his buddies would all buy a different case of beer, then swap with each other to get a better variety of brews. They haven’t had to do that More...