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...
Letter: When will Rep. Lewis pay for the budget?
To The Editor,
Monday, Governor Tom Wolf announced that he would allow the bipartisan, compromise budget to become law without his signature by midnight that night unless he had an honest package with sustainable, recurring, and sufficient revenue to sign before that time.
That did not happen.
The General Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to pass a sustainable revenue package to pay for...
CASD announces new pact with custodial, food workers
CALN — The Coatesville Area School District Board of Education ratified a new two-year deal for its custodial, maintenance and food service workers Tuesday night, a new pact that means custodial workers’ jobs will not be outsourced.
The new deal between the district and the Coatesville Area Federation of Educational Employees (CAFEE) ends more than a year of talks between the board and its staff,...
CASD eyes 2.1% tax hike, deal with CCIU for Gordon
Proposed increase in line with Act 1 limits
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
Editor’s Note: Due to subsequent information, the tax increase rate, which was shown as 3.1% in some preliminary materials, was changed in the story to reflect the more accurate 2.1%. We apologize for the confusion.
CALN – As a final proposed budget was approved to be displayed and advertised to the...
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,...
Chesco touts 10 years with AAA bond rating
WEST CHESTER — With the announcement this week of the reaffirmation of all three Triple-A bond ratings, Chester County marks 10 years as a government entity that has earned – and maintained – the highest possible rating status. It is the only county in Pennsylvania that holds the three Triple-A rating distinctions, and is one of just 43 counties nationwide.
Favorable market conditions combined...
Merry @#$% Christmas: Senate sends Wolf last-minute budget
Gov. won’t say whether he’ll veto budget without pension reform, liquor fixes
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The State Senate sent Gov. Tom Wolf a most unwelcome gift — a $30.2 billion budget bill similar to one he vetoed earlier this year, after a compromise that would have included pension reform and changes to how liquor is sold collapsed, amid a bizarre series of events in the...
Despite Chesco Reps revolt, budget talks stall
GOP House members leave for holiday, no clear path ahead
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
T’was the day before the day before Christmas,
When all through the (State) House,
Various angry politicians were heard to espouse:
“Ghost voting,” “vote to reconsider” “insurgent” and “Twitter fight”
As legislators sought to finally get a state budget right…
Local State Reps (clockwise...
Wolf: I’ll veto ‘stop-gap’ budget
Local ex-State Rep. says folks should look at changes in state government after deadlock
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Gov. Tom Wolf, seen here in a visit to Chester County earlier this year, said he would veto the so-called “stop-gap” budget the State House was considering Tuesday.
Although local state legislators had hoped that Gov. Tom Wolf would accept parts of an 11-month so-called...
Toomey talks economy, odds of federal shutdown during Chesco visit
U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R) gets a tour of the facility from Lord’s Pantry Executive Director Jan Leaf, Monday in Downingtown.
U.S. Senator said he thinks shutdown is doubtful; seeks new policies to get economy moving
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
DOWNINGTOWN — U.S Sen. Pat Toomey spent much of Monday morning in Chester County, visiting a local food bank and attending a Veterans’ Administration...
