When government priorities drift out of alignment with reality, the consequences show up everywhere — at the gas pump, in classrooms, and in public trust itself. This week’s Sunday Bulletin examines what happens when high taxes fail to deliver results, political money reshapes state power, and institutions struggle to keep pace with the consequences of their own decisions.
INVESTIGATIVE: Pennsylvania drivers are paying some of the highest gas taxes in the nation — yet roads and bridges continue to rank among the worst. Our reporting breaks down where the money goes, why infrastructure outcomes lag despite billions in revenue, and what structural choices may be driving inefficiency rather than improvement.
POLITICS: EMILYs List has named Pennsylvania a top target in its $15 million 2026 State Power Plan, aiming to lock in Democratic control by recruiting and backing female candidates up and down the ballot. The announcement signals how national organizations are increasingly shaping state-level power — and raises questions about how outside money will influence local governance.
REGIONAL NEWS: From a second reported sexual assault in Upper Dublin to a sudden death that shook the North Penn EMS community, this week’s regional coverage reflects the gravity and unpredictability of events confronting communities across southeastern Pennsylvania.
FROM THE EDITORS: Following Supreme Court arguments on Title IX, the Great Valley School District now faces a federal civil rights investigation. The case highlights the growing tension between national legal battles and local school policies — and the consequences districts face when those conflicts reach Washington.
OPINION & ANALYSIS: Our columnists weigh in on Pennsylvania’s fractured local government structure and why rising costs and institutional complexity continue to frustrate voters looking for practical solutions.
