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...
Letter: Wolf is fighting for middle class families
To The Editor,
Governor Wolf is fighting for middle-class families in Pennsylvania by reversing the damaging Republican cuts to education and human service providers. The governor’s budget invests in education, provides property tax relief, and fixes the budget deficit created by Republicans without using gimmicks or games. Standing firm in his commitment to these priorities, the governor has consistently...
One man stands between the people and medical marijuana
Our dysfunctional legislature hits new highs for foolishness
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Greetings from one of the last Internet outposts not hacked by the Chinese (we don’t rate) or calling from (allegedly) Microsoft Technical Support to assist you with your computer issues once you give us your password, credit card number and home address information.
In comparison, the recent shenanigans...
Is it time to look at the role of standardized tests in schools?
Also: if teacher unions demand raises, they should say what to cut from education programs to pay for it
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The rising tide against Common Core continues to obscure a growing, but still under discussed debate about the value and quality of standardized testing in our schools.
While it seems increasingly likely that a passing grade on the Keystone tests will not end up...
City Council passes 2014 budget; taxes to rise 3.5 mills
Plan includes contingencies to increase accountability of administration
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
COATESVILLE – City Council adopted the preliminary budget for 2014 at its meeting Monday night.
The budget, set at just over $10 million, includes a 3.5-mill tax increase to make the new rate 9.415 mills. The budget also includes stipulations in order to stimulate redevelopment in the...
City to take $1.4 million from trust fund to cover 2013 expenses
Withdraw of money will prevent tax hike but is only a stopgap solution
COATESVILLE – The City Council reversed itself and voted in favor of borrowing $1.4 million from a trust fund in order to cover various city expenses for the rest of the year at its meeting, Monday night.
City Council voted against borrowing the money earlier in the month, but the absence of two members and the remaining members...
Council votes against using trust fund to cover budget
City must compensate for over-budgeting; may look to increase taxes
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
COATESVILLE – In a hotly debated decision, Coatesville City Council voted 3-2 against using trust fund money to cover over-budgeted city expenses for 2013 at its meeting at City Hall on Monday night.
In December, while budgeting for this year, City Council realized that they would be over-budgeting...
Time for common sense on both sides of cliff talk
Both sides seem more focused on talking points than facts
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Before, we get started here, my thoughts and prayers to the people of Newtown, Conn. It is a community so much like so many parts of Chester County, it is impossible not to feel both sympathy and horror.
As a parent, it chills the blood. I’m not sure there was anything different that could have been done by...
School board votes to move Caln students to Scott
Moves won’t happen until new North Brandywine Middle School is built
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
The Coatesville Area School District voted to approve eventually moving students and staff at Caln Elementary School to a new elementary school that would be housed in what is now Scott Middle School. Middle school students currently at Scott would move to a new North Brandywine Middle...
