What is Pennsylvania Independent?
Pennsylvania Independent is a public interest journalism project dedicated to promoting open, transparent, and accountable state government by reporting on the activities of agencies, bureaucracies, and politicians in Pennsylvania. Our mission is to promote greater civic engagement and encourage discussion about public policy, politics, government, and other matters of statewide importance.
Pennsylvania Independent is a project of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, a national non-profit journalism organization. Our reporters adhere to the highest standards of professional journalism and follow the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics.
Who are we competing against?
In short, no one. Our goal is not to displace the remaining reporters on The Hill, but to enhance the coverage of statehouse news for the citizens of Pennsylvania and provide other media outlets with reliable statehouse coverage.
Are you really non-partisan?
Without a doubt. We don’t care about political parties; we care about the facts of the matter. If you are engaging in activities that harm the public interest, we’ll come after you whether you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or whatever. We endeavor to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable – at least those who have become comfortable abusing their power and the public trust.
Aren’t you biased?
Everyone is biased. Anyone who suggests they aren’t is lying. We all have a lens through which we look at the world and events, and reporters are no different. But having a bias doesn’t mean you can have your own facts. The facts are the facts, and Pennsylvania Independent is committed to providing them to you. We’re not asking you to just trust us. Test us by reading and commenting on our stories.
Who funds Pennsylvania Independent?
People like you! Pennsylvania Independent is funded through voluntary contributions to the Franklin Center. We neither seek nor accept taxpayer grants or public subsidies, and we do not engage in contract work, fee for service, or quid pro quo contributions.
We do, however, protect the identity and ensure the anonymity of our financial supporters — our reporters and editors don’t even know who is funding their journalistic endeavor, eliminating any potential conflict of interest between those reporting the news and those who are paying the bills.
Our Reporters
Eric Boehm is Bureau Chief / News Reporter for Pennsylvania Independent.
He covers legislative activity at the state Capitol while also working on investigative pieces.
Eric received his B.A. from Fairfield University in 2009, where he majored in both History and Communications. Prior to joining Pennsylvania Independent, he interned with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle during the summer of 2009. He has also worked part time with the weekly Town and Country newspaper, published in his hometown of Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. Eric currently resides in Camp Hill, and enjoys traveling whenever possible.
Melissa Daniels is a News Reporter for Pennsylvania Independent.
Melissa Daniels, an upstate New York native, covers state government for Pennsylvania Independent.
Prior to joining the Independent, she reported on municipal and state government for Messenger Post Media in Rochester, N.Y., and also worked as an assignment editor and web producer at NBC affiliate WHEC. In 2010, Melissa graduated with a degree in newspaper journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, where she served as news editor of the award-winning independent student newspaper The Daily Orange.
Jim Panyard is an Investigative Reporter for Pennsylvania Independent.
Jim has covered politics and state government in Pennsylvania and Delaware as a reporter and editor for several newspapers, including the original Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. He was also Editor of Delaware Today magazine.
Jim graduated from the University of Pennsylvania.