Op from the Ed: GOP, Insurance industry causing move toward single-payer

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Do no harm. That is the first precept of modern medical care. This doesn’t mean standing there while someone is bleeding out, of course, which is the current state of American health care. I was happy to give Guy Ciarrocchi, the president of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, his say last week about not expanding government’s role in health...

State Police fees: an idea whose time has come

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times So…so much for putting a stop to writing about stuff. Despite an ill-advised detour into politics and some mild, annoying and decidedly non-life threatening health issues, not writing was beginning to feel increasingly like not breathing, so here I am again. For now — and obviously everything on this green Earth is really “for now” — I’m going to return...

GOP Congressman laud tax bill, Democrats decry ‘gift’ for wealthy, donors

The U.S. Senate last night passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — a sweeping revision of U.S. Tax code, that depending on who is talking is either a spark for job and wage growth or a massive, deficit busting giveaway to the rich, political donors and corporate America. The House voted Tuesday to approve the package, but will have to revote Wednesday because of three provisions in the original bill that...

The AHCA: the perfect bill…to hate

Deeply flawed health-care bill will raise taxes, unemploy local Congress members By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Having read through the new Republican replacement for the Affordable Care Act, the — the American Health Care Act — I’m left with just one thought: I guess we’re going to find out how Lloyd Smucker, Pat Meehan and Ryan Costello fare in the private sector if this mess somehow passes...

County to hike property taxes 4.95% for 2017

First increase since 2014 WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2017 budget this week. The budget calls for $460,094,845 in operating expenses and $87,504,129 for its capital budget. “Led by our strategic priorities, including public safety and balanced growth, Chester County continues to invest in projects, programs and services that will benefit our residents...

CASD administrators, board meet with public to talk taxes

About 30 area residents met with Coatesville Are School District Board of Education members and administrators Sunday to talk about the budget and taxes. In a first of its kind meeting, the Coatesville Area School Board and Administrators were joined by approximately 30 community members on Sunday afternoon, March 13, to discuss the financial status of the District. The district invited residents,...

Commissioners OK 2016 budget, no tax hike

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2016 budget Thursday, resulting in no tax increase for county residents. The 2016 budget aligns with the priorities and goals of Chester County’s Strategic Plan which were updated this year. Seven years of development and implementation of the Plan have led Chester County to the achievement of a very high percentage of its...

Delusions and confusion; or just another day in Harrisburg

State pols continue to labor under budget, tax delusions By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Ah, nothing says “holiday seasons” like the ongoing state budget stalemate. Perfectly, both Democrats and Republicans continue to labor under impressive delusions about the current state of the commonwealth — and the outcomes of some proposed legislation that would provide cornerstones for a possible budget...

Commissioners: No tax hike expected for 2016

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners Thursday unveiled the preliminary 2016 county budget. The proposed budget does not increase taxes for county property owners — which would mark the fourth straight year without a tax increase. Presenting the preliminary budget to the Commissioners at Thursday’s Sunshine meeting, Mark Rupsis, County Chief Operating Officer noted that the county...

The Times’ Interview: Q&A with Dr. Cathy Taschner

Editor’s Note: Dr. Cathy Taschner, Superintendent of the Coatesville Area School District, agreed to a lengthy, sit down question and answer session last week. We present both the questions and answers as transcribed from a recording. We did not clean up language, pauses or grammar, to better reflect the exact words — and tone — of the conversation and provide Dr. Taschner with an unfiltered,...