Sarah Anne Hughes
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Pennsylvania, United States
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Past articles by Sarah:
Preemption, explained: How Pennsylvania's biggest city and the Legislature grapple over power
Preemption is something that comes up during a number of hot-button debates in Pennsylvania, from gun control to paid sick leave. → Read More
Pennsylvania's rainy day fund, explained: Why a $250 million deposit is getting so much attention
As part of this year’s budget, lawmakers are getting ready to do something unusual: make a deposit into Pennsylvania’s rainy day fund. On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled state House passed a budget spending bill that puts $250 million into an emergency savings account. The move was backed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who consistently said any … → Read More
Pennsylvania's rainy day fund, explained: Why a $250 million deposit is getting so much attention
As part of this year’s budget, lawmakers are getting ready to do something unusual: make a deposit into Pennsylvania’s rainy day fund. On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled state House passed a budget spending bill that puts $250 million into an emergency savings account. The move was backed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who consistently said any … → Read More
Pennsylvania marks 100th anniversary of vote in favor of women's suffrage
On June 4, 1919, the U.S. Congress passed the 19th Amendment to give women the right to vote. But that wasn’t the end of the story. To amend the U.S. Constitution, Congress sent the question to the states, where three-fourths of the 48 legislatures were required to ratify the change. On June 24, Pennsylvania became … → Read More
As Pennsylvania's budget deadline approaches, is a minimum wage increase still on the table?
Gov. Tom Wolf has made increasing the minimum wage a centerpiece of his budgets since taking office in 2015. → Read More
This program in rural Pennsylvania is teaching kids about robotics
Timothy Heffernan is the gifted support teacher at Franklin Area High School in Venango County, a rural part of northwest Pennsylvania. Each year, he lets his students tell him what they’re interested in and designs their learning around that topic. Four years ago, it was robotics. So he did what any good teacher would do, … → Read More
Lawmakers demand ‘due process’ when accused of misconduct. But what does that actually mean?
Four General Assembly lawmakers have been accused of sexual misconduct since 2017. To date, none have been expelled. → Read More
Why Pennsylvania transportation funding could be in deep trouble
In a doomsday scenario, Pennsylvania could lose $18.5 billion in transportation funding over the next 12 years. That’s according to a state Department of Transportation advisory committee, which recently released a report on risks facing the commonwealth’s highway, bridge, and transit financials from the present until 2030. Pennsylvania’s transportation budget faces threats both at the federal … → Read More
Lawsuit: Time's up for PA's Medicaid abortion ban
The lawsuit could expand low-income access to abortion. → Read More
Gov. Tom Wolf's inauguration speech: Fact-checks and takeaways
"I’m not asking Pennsylvanians to trust me," Wolf said, "I’m asking them to trust in themselves." → Read More
How hemp's new legal status could transform dozens of PA industries
This year's Farm Show featured cannabis sunglasses, kitty litter, interior vehicle panels, building materials and more. → Read More
This gun reform has bipartisan support in PA
It's not often the NRA and ACLU end up on the same side. → Read More
5 of the most impactful laws Pennsylvania passed in 2018
From criminal justice reform to actual firearms legislation. → Read More
Historical letters to Santa: 15 funny, cute, touching requests from Pennsylvania kids
At the turn of the 20th century, children asked St. Nick for money, monkeys and a "leg full of presents" → Read More
Your suggestions for fixing Harrisburg's white-only, male-dominated history timeline
Women and people of color are featured elsewhere in the state capitol welcome center — but that's not the point. → Read More
Gov. Wolf: PA should take a 'serious and honest look' at legalizing recreational marijuana
With both NY and NJ moving toward legal weed, the governor's position appears to be evolving. → Read More
A timeline at the PA capitol features one woman and no people of color. Let's do better.
What about Crystal Bird Fauset, K. Leroy Irvis, or Rachel Carson? → Read More
Everything Harrisburg is trying to fix PA's gun laws
We'll update this tracker on the General Assembly's gun reform efforts throughout the year. → Read More
This is how reporters get secret info from the government
A guide to filing Right-to-Know requests. → Read More
Reference checks for gun permits? Small staffs and privacy concerns make it tough
The auditor general is sick of waiting around for Harrisburg to make a move. → Read More