Stephen Caruso
@stephenjcaruso.bsky.social
Pennsylvania Capitol Reporter for Spotlight PA | Yankee Fan | Die Gedanken Sind Frei | scaruso[at]spotlightpa[dot]org
Pinned
These powerful interests donated $18M to PA’s top lawmakers
Lobbyists say political donations can lead to access, but PA’s weak transparency laws make it nearly impossible to trace influence.
www.spotlightpa.org
Hi folk. Maybe you realized I've been slow on stories this year. That's because for the past 3 months, I poured over the last 2 years of campaign contributions to the governor & legislative leaders. @spotlightpa.bsky.social has the first of those findings today.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/03...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/03...
Good morning everyone. Today is the start of the three week petition period in Pennsylvania, during which hopefuls for elected office can gather signatures from people in their districts to get on the ballot.
February 17, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Good morning everyone. Today is the start of the three week petition period in Pennsylvania, during which hopefuls for elected office can gather signatures from people in their districts to get on the ballot.
Reposted by Stephen Caruso
This is blackout poetry to me
February 14, 2026 at 2:26 PM
This is blackout poetry to me
What does collaboration with ICE look like in PA? ICE can access state data without a warrant. Troopers cannot ask about immigration status, but can and do tell ICE if they otherwise discover someone is undocumented. And prisons honor some ICE detainers.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
How PA agencies under Shapiro’s control cooperate with ICE
Gov. Josh Shapiro has not hidden that PA works with ICE, nor has he promised new limits on existing cooperation.
www.spotlightpa.org
February 12, 2026 at 11:50 AM
What does collaboration with ICE look like in PA? ICE can access state data without a warrant. Troopers cannot ask about immigration status, but can and do tell ICE if they otherwise discover someone is undocumented. And prisons honor some ICE detainers.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
News: Gov. Josh Shapiro pitched a $53.3 billion spending plan Tuesday that puts more money into education and transit (in 2027) while asking policymakers to tackle housing and energy affordability in earnest.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
PA budget 2026: Shapiro pitches more money for poor schools, legal weed
Shapiro wants PA lawmakers to tax slot-like skill games and legalized marijuana to help pay for new spending.
www.spotlightpa.org
February 3, 2026 at 9:44 PM
News: Gov. Josh Shapiro pitched a $53.3 billion spending plan Tuesday that puts more money into education and transit (in 2027) while asking policymakers to tackle housing and energy affordability in earnest.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
New: Gov. Josh Shapiro is expected to address housing costs, energy demand, and unfinished business like education funding and transit in his budget pitch tomorrow. W/ @katehuangpu.bsky.social
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
What to expect from Gov. Shapiro’s pitch for the PA budget
Governor Shapiro is expected to address rising housing costs, increased energy demand, and unfinished business from prior years in Tuesday's budget pitch.
www.spotlightpa.org
February 2, 2026 at 11:11 AM
New: Gov. Josh Shapiro is expected to address housing costs, energy demand, and unfinished business like education funding and transit in his budget pitch tomorrow. W/ @katehuangpu.bsky.social
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02...
News: Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is building a new manufacturing plant in the Lehigh Valley to produce weight loss drugs, the firm announced today. Pennsylvania is kicking in $75 million in grants and $25 million in tax credits to the project.
January 30, 2026 at 7:06 PM
News: Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is building a new manufacturing plant in the Lehigh Valley to produce weight loss drugs, the firm announced today. Pennsylvania is kicking in $75 million in grants and $25 million in tax credits to the project.
News: State Rep. Seth Grove (R., York), a vocal conservative who led Pennsylvania Republicans efforts to review the 2020 election while simultaneously factchecking Trump, has resigned. He was under fire for taking a second job as head of a trade group for concrete manufacturers.
PA lawmaker with second job that raised ethics concerns resigns
PA Rep. Seth Grove, who planned to retire later this year, began working for the Pennsylvania Concrete and Aggregates Association this month.
www.spotlightpa.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:14 PM
News: State Rep. Seth Grove (R., York), a vocal conservative who led Pennsylvania Republicans efforts to review the 2020 election while simultaneously factchecking Trump, has resigned. He was under fire for taking a second job as head of a trade group for concrete manufacturers.
New: Pennsylvania policymakers passed a law last year, similar to ones passed in 11 other states, to crackdown on illicit vapes and fight teen smoking. But public health experts are skeptical it'll do much, citing loopholes and limited state funding.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...
PA’s new vape registry law suffers from loopholes, other issues
PA’s first major effort to tackle vaping suffers from loopholes, insufficient funding for enforcement, and limited public health backing.
www.spotlightpa.org
January 26, 2026 at 12:50 PM
New: Pennsylvania policymakers passed a law last year, similar to ones passed in 11 other states, to crackdown on illicit vapes and fight teen smoking. But public health experts are skeptical it'll do much, citing loopholes and limited state funding.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...
Pennsylvania state law enforcement currently cooperates with ICE, per Shapiro's public comments and an administration statement. It is unclear if this tweet signals a policy change or not.
January 24, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Pennsylvania state law enforcement currently cooperates with ICE, per Shapiro's public comments and an administration statement. It is unclear if this tweet signals a policy change or not.
State Rep. Greg Vitali (D., Delaware) wants to ax the commonwealth's data center equipment sales tax exemption.
January 23, 2026 at 1:47 PM
State Rep. Greg Vitali (D., Delaware) wants to ax the commonwealth's data center equipment sales tax exemption.
New: A divide among Pennsylvania Democrats over immigration enforcement has been on display this month. But you have to read between the lines. Plus, a bunch of legislative primary and general election updates as 2026 kicks off. All in this week's Access Harrisburg.
January 22, 2026 at 4:13 PM
New: A divide among Pennsylvania Democrats over immigration enforcement has been on display this month. But you have to read between the lines. Plus, a bunch of legislative primary and general election updates as 2026 kicks off. All in this week's Access Harrisburg.
Reposted by Stephen Caruso
Outrage over a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul Sunday -- which attorney general Pam Bondi says will be "met with the full force of federal law" -- recalls even MORE disruptive church protests led by angry steelworkers in PGH in 1984. (Thread)
www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/u...
Trump officials investigate protesters who interrupted Minnesota church service, targeting ICE official | CNN
A Sunday morning church service in the Twin Cities interrupted by anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protesters is the latest flash point in escalating tensions between the Trump administration ...
www.cnn.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Outrage over a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul Sunday -- which attorney general Pam Bondi says will be "met with the full force of federal law" -- recalls even MORE disruptive church protests led by angry steelworkers in PGH in 1984. (Thread)
www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/u...
News: On a call the day before his reelection kick off, Josh Shapiro and his campaign team told top donors that they plan to raise $90 to $100 million according to two sources. That's $20+ million more than the current PA gubernatorial fundraising record (set by Shapiro in 2022.)
January 15, 2026 at 3:24 PM
News: On a call the day before his reelection kick off, Josh Shapiro and his campaign team told top donors that they plan to raise $90 to $100 million according to two sources. That's $20+ million more than the current PA gubernatorial fundraising record (set by Shapiro in 2022.)
Inbox: 18 Philadelphia Democratic state legislators, including Speaker Joanna McClinton, call in a joint statement for an end to ICE raids and detentions, accountability for its agents, and for "our Commonwealth and all local governments to renounce collaboration with ICE."
January 14, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Inbox: 18 Philadelphia Democratic state legislators, including Speaker Joanna McClinton, call in a joint statement for an end to ICE raids and detentions, accountability for its agents, and for "our Commonwealth and all local governments to renounce collaboration with ICE."
On MS Now last night, Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed the Minnesota ICE killing of Renee Good in similar terms as his reelection announcement. "This is a scary time," he said, arguing Trump's policies bring "chaos, cruelty and corruption."
youtu.be/sSymRW8vGQ8?...
youtu.be/sSymRW8vGQ8?...
Gov. Shapiro: No 'absolute immunity' for Minneapolis ICE shooter
YouTube video by MS NOW
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 2:33 PM
On MS Now last night, Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed the Minnesota ICE killing of Renee Good in similar terms as his reelection announcement. "This is a scary time," he said, arguing Trump's policies bring "chaos, cruelty and corruption."
youtu.be/sSymRW8vGQ8?...
youtu.be/sSymRW8vGQ8?...
News: State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin) says he is NOT running for Pennsylvania governor in 2026, leaving an open path for GOP establishment candidate Stacy Garrity who currently faces no serious competition for the party's nod.
January 7, 2026 at 7:37 PM
News: State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin) says he is NOT running for Pennsylvania governor in 2026, leaving an open path for GOP establishment candidate Stacy Garrity who currently faces no serious competition for the party's nod.
State Rep. Brian Rasel (R., Westmoreland) wants to require all students at any public institution of higher learning that accepts state dollars to take "a one-credit class on how communism and socialism pose threats to American ideals."
January 6, 2026 at 7:27 PM
State Rep. Brian Rasel (R., Westmoreland) wants to require all students at any public institution of higher learning that accepts state dollars to take "a one-credit class on how communism and socialism pose threats to American ideals."
Inbox: Josh Shapiro will start 2026 with over $30 million in his PAC, per campaign spox Manuel Bonder. That's roughly three times more than either Tom Wolf or Ed Rendell had entering their reelection campaigns.
January 6, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Inbox: Josh Shapiro will start 2026 with over $30 million in his PAC, per campaign spox Manuel Bonder. That's roughly three times more than either Tom Wolf or Ed Rendell had entering their reelection campaigns.
New: Control of the Pennsylvania legislature -- and of the commonwealth's policy agenda -- is up for grabs in 2026 as both major parties defend one chamber while trying to flip another. Expect expensive races from the 'burbs to farmland to coal country.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...
Control of Pennsylvania legislature on the line in 2026
Pennsylvania Democrats and Republicans will each vie to maintain control of one legislative chamber while attempting to flip the other.
www.spotlightpa.org
January 5, 2026 at 1:45 PM
New: Control of the Pennsylvania legislature -- and of the commonwealth's policy agenda -- is up for grabs in 2026 as both major parties defend one chamber while trying to flip another. Expect expensive races from the 'burbs to farmland to coal country.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/01...
A company known as "FullPAC" has run ads on two of my feeds this weekend, pitching its stock by noting that political campaigns are "one of America's top-growing industries...powered by technology, data and the American people."
January 4, 2026 at 3:44 PM
A company known as "FullPAC" has run ads on two of my feeds this weekend, pitching its stock by noting that political campaigns are "one of America's top-growing industries...powered by technology, data and the American people."
Boilo Day > Christmas Day
December 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Boilo Day > Christmas Day
New: Powered by dark money, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court retention races cost at least $18.7 million -- making it among the top 5 most expensive retention races in American history.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12...
At least $18.7M spent on PA Supreme Court retention races
Millions of dollars from outside groups helped three PA judges elected as Democrats keep their seats.
www.spotlightpa.org
December 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
New: Powered by dark money, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court retention races cost at least $18.7 million -- making it among the top 5 most expensive retention races in American history.
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12...
Why is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority advertising on my fortune cookie fortune.
December 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Why is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority advertising on my fortune cookie fortune.
Today in Access Harrisburg? Influencers at the governor's mansion, a bipartisan housing agenda is brewing for 2026, and the burgeoning market for politico-signed baseballs. All this and more if you subscribe.
December 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Today in Access Harrisburg? Influencers at the governor's mansion, a bipartisan housing agenda is brewing for 2026, and the burgeoning market for politico-signed baseballs. All this and more if you subscribe.
Inbox: State Reps. Dan Miller (D., Allegheny) and Josh Siegal (D., Lehigh) have resigned, a spokesperson for House Speaker Joanna McClinton says. The special elections for their seats will be on Feb. 24. Candidates will be picked by local party members.
December 18, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Inbox: State Reps. Dan Miller (D., Allegheny) and Josh Siegal (D., Lehigh) have resigned, a spokesperson for House Speaker Joanna McClinton says. The special elections for their seats will be on Feb. 24. Candidates will be picked by local party members.