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GOP lawmaker tests positive, Democrats are fuming

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The Investigator

Your guide to the Capitol & stories holding the powerful to account

May 28, 2020 | spotlightpa.org

Democrats in the Pennsylvania House are demanding answers after learning Wednesday a GOP colleague tested positive for COVID-19 — a week ago.

Rep. Andrew Lewis said in a statement he sought a test May 18 and received a positive result two days later. He said he had been in the Capitol as recently as May 14. At least one of his colleagues, Rep. Russ Diamond, self-quarantined after being told of Lewis' test result. The GOP is refusing to say who else was notified of the test result because they might have come in contact with Lewis.

The revelation brought the House to a standstill, as Democrats scrambled to figure out their risk of exposure. Several have called for Republican leaders to resign. 

Meanwhile, the state Senate pressed on and sent Gov. Tom Wolf a short-term budget that does not raise taxes and keeps funding level for all state departments. Lawmakers are also moving forward with plans to start spending some of the $3.9 billion in discretionary federal dollars the state has been sitting on for weeks.

Finally, we're excited to welcome three new partners: 
Mon Valley Independent in Monessen, North Penn Now in West Point, and Saucon Source in the greater Saucon Valley area. We now provide our journalism to 35 newsroom partners in all corners of the state.

Sarah Anne Hughes, Spotlight PA

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"So we are going to do some unusual things."

— Gov. Tom Wolf on the plan to pass the state budget in waves, giving lawmakers time to figure out how deeply state revenues will be impacted by the coronavirus
LATEST ON THE NUMBERS: There have been an average of 664 new cases and 72 deaths each day over the past week in Pennsylvania. These charts show 7-day moving averages since March 8.
 
 
 POSITIVE CASES | PENNSYLVANIA 

70,042
 DEATHS | PENNSYLVANIA 

5,373
As of 12 p.m. May 28
Note: The Pennsylvania Department of Health changed how it counts coronavirus deaths in April. This resulted in two sharp increases and a drop in cumulative deaths.
Latest from Spotlight PA
» Facing nearly $5 billion shortfall, Pa. lawmakers plan to pass short-term budget
» All Pa. counties will be in ‘yellow’ coronavirus reopening phase by June 5
» Pa. health officials quietly alter nursing home case, death counts as providers cry foul
» Pa. is mixing coronavirus test results. That could distort our view of the disease.

From across the state
» THE ATLANTIC: Lack of local news leaving small towns in the dark about COVID-19
» INQUIRER: April's coronavirus death count could be as much as 9% higher than thought
» INQUIRER: Thousands of voters may not get mail-in ballots in time for the primary
» PA POST: Wolf endorses Biden for president, Biden endorses Wolf's reopening plan
» PENNLIVE: Superintendents weigh what will be needed to safely open this fall
» PENNLIVE: Fewer drivers, more speeding on Pa. Turnpike during coronavirus
» POST-GAZETTE: Pennsylvanians going to neighboring states for haircuts
» PUBLIC SOURCE: Meet the unelected leaders sitting on crucial Pittsburgh boards 
 
THE RIDDLER

Send your answers to newsletters@spotlightpa.org.

Dime in a Bottle (Case No. 40): A dime is inside a wine bottle with a cork in the top. How do you remove the dime without pulling out the cork or breaking or cutting the bottle?
 
Stumped? Get a hint. Feeling smart? Challenge a friend.

Last week's answer: The third child is named Casey.

Congrats to Lois I., who will receive Spotlight PA swag (when we reopen our office!). Others who correctly answered: Phil C., Kimberly J., Jeff W., Karen S., Kathy W., Kevin M., Annette I., Dave D., Michele M., Claudia M., Curt H., Rick S., Hagan H., Jon N., Sandy O., Michael L., Eric M., George S., Joseph Q., Drew C., Lucy B., Susan A., Liza Jane B., Rodney S., Stephen A., Kenneth J., Edward N., Michael M., Melanie B., Bruce C., Joseph S., Brian B., Barry A., Dale W., Carl B., Robert R., Karen K., Ellen F., Rebecca D., Steven B., John S., Lou R., Norman S.A., Brigitte S., Robert K., Ed N., Heather B., Jean H., Stewart G., and Joan C. 
» This week's Riddler hint: You have all the facts you need.
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