Chesco Dems back Sestak, Parrish, Balchunis and Hartman
The county’s Democratic Party made key endorsements in the U.S. Senate race as well in three local congressional races at its annual party convention, Wednesday night, backing Joe Sestak for Senate and Michael Parrish in the 6th District, Mary Ellen Balchunis in the 7th District and Christina Hartman in the 16th District.
Additionally, the committee endorsed Josh Shapiro for Attorney General over...
Wolf calls GOP budget ‘garbage;’ line-item vetoes much of it
But some funds will flow to local schools and social services as dispute continues
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Updated, 3:40 p.m.: adds GOP House leadership comments.
While school districts and social service agencies in Chester County can finally look forward to seeing some state funds finally come their way after a six-month state budget standoff, Gov. Tom Wolf signaled Tuesday clearly that...
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...
Chesco legislators split on pension, budget deal
Sources say stop-gap budget likely to be sent to Gov. Wolf Tuesday
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
“Frustration.” “Confusion.”
Those two words, which repeatedly came up when speaking with local legislators about the ongoing state budget standoff, seem to best describe where things stand in the current six-month state budget standoff.
The standoff looked to come to an end this past weekend,...
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...
Op/Ed: Restore state tax exemption for active-duty military
“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” ~ President George Washington
By Tim Gwinn, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Guard Associations
Tim Gwinn
For 47 years from 1965 to 2012, a grateful Pennsylvania...
Lewis wants to unite in run for 74th
Seeks broad coalition to support his campaign
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Harry Lewis Jr. addresses supporters Wednesday night in declaring his candidacy for State Representative.
COATESVILLE — Amidst a crowded room filled with supporters, friends, former colleagues and students, Harry Lewis Jr. said Wednesday night it would take a broad coalition supporting him for him to be elected as State...
Maxwell announces run for State Rep.
Downingtown mayor becomes second Democrat seeking 74th seat
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Josh Maxwell
DOWNINGTOWN — And then there were two.
Democrat Josh Maxwell, the Mayor of Downingtown, officially announced Tuesday that he would be a candidate for State Representative in the newly created 74th District in 2014, joining Caln Commissioner Joshua Young in the race for the Democratic nomination.
Republican...
Letter: Supports anti-human trafficking bill
To The Editor:
Human trafficking doesn’t happen only “somewhere else.”
“You don’t mean here, right?” I hear that question more than 100 hundred times per year in conversations about human trafficking, modern slavery and sex trafficking in southeastern Pennsylvania—especially in the beautiful, well-off suburbs and countryside surrounding Philadelphia.
My answer is always the same. “Yes,...
