Cynthia Fernandez

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Stories by Cynthia Fernandez

The proposal was inspired by former Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, who had a "painfully distant" relationship with Gov. Tom Wolf.

Voters may never again get to choose Pa.’s lieutenant governor candidates

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Feb. 23, 2021

Only a fraction of state education funding actually goes through a far funding formula, designed to help poor and underfunded districts.

The $1 billion plan to close the gap between growing and shrinking Pa. school districts

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Feb. 18, 2021

Currently, Gov. Tom Wolf is the only person who can end a disaster declaration. That would change under the proposed constitutional amendment.

Pa. voters will get the last word in struggle between Wolf and lawmakers. Here’s what you need to know.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Feb. 5, 2021

Rep. Mark Rozzi (seen here in 2018) announced Thursday there was support in the House for an emergency constitutional amendment.

Pa. House moves to get legal relief for clergy abuse victims back on spring ballot

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Feb. 4, 2021

“No matter how great a parent you are, if your local school system lacks the resources it needs to provide your kids with a quality education, that’s a barrier to giving them a better life," Gov. Tom Wolf said in his budget address Wednesday.

Wolf asks for tax increase on Pa.’s top earners amid pandemic, GOP pans proposal as ‘irresponsible’

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Feb. 3, 2021

Gov. Tom Wolf used his veto power to nix a record 19 bills passed by the legislature in 2020 — 15 more than he did in 2019.

Pa. enacted 140 laws last year. Only 27 of them addressed the coronavirus.

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Feb. 3, 2021

Gov. Tom Wolf and others rallied in September 2018 at the state Capitol in favor of clergy abuse reforms. Wolf on Monday signaled he would support creating a two-year window for retroactive lawsuits through the legislative process.

There’s another path for survivors of clergy sex abuse to get justice. It faces an uphill climb.

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Feb. 1, 2021

Law enforcement has erected orange fencing and deployed armed officers outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Law enforcement in Pa. preparing for possible unrest despite ‘no specific threats’ to the Capitol

by Joseph Darius Jaafari of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Jan. 14, 2021

In a statement, Gov. Tom Wolf said the proposal “would hinder our ability to respond quickly, comprehensively, and effectively” to another wave of COVID-19.”

Pa. GOP lawmakers want voters to give them the power to end governor’s emergency orders

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Jan. 13, 2021

State Sen. Doug Mastriano is facing calls to resign from state Democrats over his attendance at a rally in Washington that led to the mob attack on the Capitol.

A Pa. Republican lawmaker who marched to the Capitol before the mob attack is facing calls to resign

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Jan. 8, 2021

A mob of Trump supporters climbed scaffolding and took to the steps of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 06, 2021. Rioters breached the building following a rally, as Congress was preparing to certify President Joe Biden’s victory.

Top Pa. lawmakers who rejected election results denounce U.S. Capitol mob

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Jan. 6, 2021

Amid high emotions and partisan fingerpointing, Republicans also took the rare step of removing the Democratic lieutenant governor, John Fetterman, from running the session.

Pa. GOP senators refuse to seat Democrat and remove Lt. Gov. Fetterman from presiding

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Jan. 5, 2021

Lawmakers from both parties and the anti-gerrymandering group Fair Districts PA want the rules adopted in 2021 to emphasize collaboration, rather than partisan politics.

Frustrated by the Pa. legislature? How obscure rules kill reforms and fuel partisan gridlock

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Jan. 5, 2021

GOP lawmakers largely have not changed their position on how Pennsylvania should approach the crisis — emphasizing personal responsibility, not state mandates.

As coronavirus hits home, Pa. GOP shifts messaging but still rejects mandates

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Dec. 15, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf is currently isolating at home after testing positive for COVID-19.

Wolf temporarily suspends Pa. indoor dining, school sports

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Dec. 10, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for the coronavirus, other officials in quarantine

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Dec. 9, 2020

House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) signed onto the letter.

GOP leaders ask Congress to reject Pa.’s electors for Joe Biden

by Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Dec. 4, 2020

A hearing organized by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin), one of the chamber’s most conservative members, appears to have violated policies the chamber adopted in the wake of the pandemic.

GOP leadership silent after Pa. senator tests positive for COVID-19 following maskless election event

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Dec. 1, 2020

In voting against the state House's request to audit the election, Rep. Jake Wheatley (D., Allegheny) said it was duplicative of the Department of State's audit, which is required by law.

In rare move, bipartisan panel rejects Pa. House request to audit 2020 election

by Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 23, 2020

House lawmakers voted 104-97 to approve the main budget bill and expected late Friday to also consider the enabling fiscal code, which provides spending instructions.

Pa. budget doesn’t raise taxes or bail out industries hit by the coronavirus

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 20, 2020

House Minority Whip Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) also announced this week he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Pa. lawmaker claims Capitol unsafe after fifth member tests positive for COVID-19

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 20, 2020

The U.S. Treasury Department gives states broad discretion to use aid funding to pick up payroll costs for state employees who spend substantial time responding to the pandemic.

Remaining $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash to prop up Pa. state budget rather than help ailing industries

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 19, 2020

Though Republicans performed exceptionally well in down-ballot races — flipping two row offices and maintaining their legislative majorities — both rank-and-file members and leadership have repeatedly accused the Wolf administration and state Supreme Court of attempting to undermine the election’s integrity.

Pa. GOP advances audit of 2020 election, says it’s not about fraud

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 18, 2020

Sen. Kim Ward, a Republican, is the first woman to become majority leader in the General Assembly’s 338-year history, replacing Centre County’s Jake Corman (left).

Two women just made history in the Pa. legislature. Will that be the last thing they have in common?

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 18, 2020

Lawmakers face a Nov. 30 deadline to pass a budget for the remaining seven months of the fiscal year.

Feds reject Pa.’s plan to spend up to $300M in stimulus money for school property tax relief

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 16, 2020

Roughly two dozen lawmakers called for the creation of an investigatory committee with subpoena power to conduct an immediate audit, saying they had fielded widespread doubts about the fairness of the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Pa. GOP lawmakers to probe unverified fraud claims in election they largely won

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA

Nov. 10, 2020

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman said while he doesn’t “have any evidence of misdoing,” half of the state will not have faith in the results because of actions taken by Kathy Boockvar, the secretary of the commonwealth, in administering the election.

Top Pa. Republican casting doubt on vote while conceding he doesn’t have ‘any evidence of misdoing’

by Marie Albiges for Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 6, 2020

Volunteers open and sort mail-in ballots in Erie while poll watchers observe.

The months-long political saga that guaranteed a long vote count in Pennsylvania

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Nov. 4, 2020

In this file photo, a student walks into a classroom at Jay Cooke Elementary in North Philadelphia. Philadelphia is among the school districts most shortchanged by the way Pennsylvania funds public education, according to a new analysis in a lawsuit challenging the system.

Pa. schools need an additional $4.6 billion to close education gaps, new analysis finds

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Maddie Hanna of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Oct. 27, 2020

A worker organizes mail ballots in Chester County. Pennsylvania counties have been flooded with mail ballot requests, and the days-long process of counting them can’t begin until Election Day under current state law.

Talks collapse on a deal to let Pa. counties open mail ballots before Election Day

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Jonathan Lai of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Oct. 22, 2020

The resolution would have created a committee of five House lawmakers — three Republicans and two Democrats — to investigate and review the Nov. 3 election.

Pa. Republicans drop effort to create ‘election integrity’ panel with subpoena power

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Oct. 9, 2020

Rep. Aaron Bernstine — seen here at a reopen rally outside the Capitol in April — apologized for “jokes that went too far” during a family vacation.

House GOP leadership calls on lawmaker to resign over vulgar videos

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Oct. 8, 2020

County commissioners for months have pleaded for more flexibility to begin processing mail-in and absentee ballots before Election Day, a practice known as “pre-canvassing.”

Lawmakers mount new push to give Pa. counties more flexibility in counting mail-in ballots

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Oct. 8, 2020

The state House of Representatives canceled its voting session Thursday after a Republican lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus, delaying a crucial vote to extend a rent relief program that has just expired.

Pa. House lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19, delaying legislation on election, rent relief

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Oct. 1, 2020

The resolution would create a committee of five House lawmakers — three Republicans and two Democrats — to investigate and review the Nov. 3 election.

Pa. Republicans want to create and control an ‘election integrity’ panel with subpoena power

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Sept. 30, 2020

The Pennsylvania legislature could decide to offer its own slate of electors by invoking Article II of the U.S. Constitution.

Could the Pa. GOP bypass the popular vote regardless of who wins? Here’s what we know.

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Sept. 25, 2020

Grassroots and good-government groups have long wanted to take lawmakers completely out of the process and hand over the job to a committee of average citizens.

Lawmakers' power to redraw Pa.'s political maps could be more limited in 2021

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Sept. 22, 2020

Counties are anxiously waiting to see if lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf will extend the amount of time elections boards have to begin “pre-canvassing” mailed ballots.

Voting victories for Democrats in Pa. might have closed the door on more election reform

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Sept. 18, 2020

An at-times tense debate was the latest in what’s become a war between the executive and the GOP-controlled legislative branch over the state’s coronavirus response.

Latest Pa. GOP attempt to strip Gov. Tom Wolf of his coronavirus emergency powers fails

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Sept. 2, 2020

Drop boxes were used in Philadelphia during the June primary and have been embraced by other counties as a way to ease the anticipated Election Day burden.

Pa. GOP advances election bill that would ban drop boxes, get mail-in ballots to voters earlier

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Sept. 1, 2020

“I think what we need to do is make people feel comfortable and safe in terms of their voting,” Gov. Tom Wolf said.

Surge in mail-in ballots could delay election results, so Wolf wants to change the rules

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Aug. 27, 2020

In June, the legislature voted to force Wolf to end the state’s COVID-19 disaster declaration, which greatly expanded the Democratic governor’s powers.

Thwarted at every turn, Pa. GOP lawmakers hatch new plan to curtail Wolf’s emergency powers

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Aug. 25, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf delivered a message to lawmakers Tuesday: "We’ve got to get back to doing things that actually matter to people.”

Gov. Tom Wolf wants Pa. to legalize marijuana, provide more COVID-19 relief this fall

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Aug. 25, 2020

State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D., Chester) questioned whether the state's recommendations, in reality, operate as mandates because districts are concerned about being sued.

Pa. lawmakers concerned ‘guidance’ for schools could open the door to COVID-19 lawsuits

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Aug. 19, 2020

U.S. Capitol file photo

How arguments in Washington are holding up coronavirus relief in Pennsylvania

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Aug. 7, 2020

Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera (seen here at the Community College of Philadelphia in November 2019)

Pa. education secretary will step down in October to lead Lancaster technical college

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Aug. 4, 2020

Rep. Russ Diamond (seen here at a Capitol demonstration on May 15, 2020) has been one of the loudest opponents of a Wolf administration order requiring most people to wear a mask while in public.

Lawmaker mimics top health official’s call for transgender acceptance to defend not wearing a mask

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Julia Shanahan for Spotlight PA

July 30, 2020

In recent weeks, Gov. Tom Wolf (seen here in Harrisburg on July 9) has repeatedly justified the decision, saying he provided ample warning to counties.

Gov. Tom Wolf cited his emergency powers to withhold millions from a Pa. county. Now it's suing.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

July 22, 2020

Sen. Tom Killion (R., Delaware), seen here in the Capitol in December 2019, plans to introduce a bill that would provide additional financial assistance to individuals and small businesses.

More help may be on the way for Pennsylvanians struggling to pay utility bills

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

July 21, 2020

The debate surrounding how the state should handle the coronavirus pandemic has descended into an all-out interbranch war.

Pa. lawmakers want voters to weaken governor’s emergency powers, boost their own

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

July 16, 2020

Democrats have called the measures first steps, as they press GOP leadership to go further and take up more complex issues like curtailing when officers can use deadly force.

Everything you need to know about Pa. police reform efforts by the legislature

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

July 9, 2020

Independent research shows gerrymandering protects incumbents and strips communities of political power by heavily concentrating one party’s voters into a single district or spreading them out unnaturally.

Lawmakers will rule again over redrawing of Pa. political boundaries, but critics aren’t giving up

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

July 8, 2020

States lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow certain municipalities to ban residents from setting off fireworks.

In Pa.’s growing fireworks war, it’s fed-up residents versus cold, hard cash

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

July 3, 2020

In March, Gov. Tom Wolf issued the emergency order as Pennsylvania began reporting its first COVID-19 infections.

Pa. GOP can’t unilaterally end Gov. Tom Wolf’s coronavirus disaster declaration, state Supreme Court rules

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

July 1, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf said new "hot spots can be traced to situations where Pennsylvanians were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing."

Pennsylvania mandates masks in public for most people amid coronavirus increases

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

July 1, 2020

Black Democrats who demanded action in the wake of Floyd’s death called the reform a first step.

Effort to track police use of force in Pa. would lack racial data, public transparency

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 24, 2020

Bryan Cutler's rise comes as the state is grappling with how to best respond to a continuing public health crisis.

After sudden Turzai resignation, GOP elevates new leadership in Pa. House

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 22, 2020

Mother of Antwon Rose II applauds confidential police hiring database, but does it go far enough?

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 20, 2020

The LGBT flag flies at the Capitol building in Harrisburg.

Despite landmark ruling, Pa. GOP leaders in no hurry to extend LGBTQ protections under state law

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 18, 2020

The House Judiciary Committee considered the bills one week after Black Democrats took control of the chamber to demand Republicans consider a host of reforms in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd and widespread protests.

Pa. advances reforms to create confidential police disciplinary database, as NY, NJ take steps to make records public

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 15, 2020