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...

EDITORIAL: Leach should withdraw, but not resign, yet

State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17). We live in a time of reckoning for men (and some women) who have refused to see the appropriate boundaries of personal and professional behavior — and now state Sen. (and would-be Congresman) Daylin Leach (D-17) has been implicated in a deeply reported, multi-sourced story in Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer. The allegations — from 11 people — range from inappropriate...

George withdraws from 16th District race

John George The crowded field to take on freshman Congressman Lloyd Smucker got a little less crowded Wednesday after John George announced he would withdraw from the race, saying he didn’t think he would be able to mount a competitive race. “I have informed the Democratic Committee that I am suspending my campaign for Congress in the 16th District for 2018,” george said in a statement,...

Lewis announces plans to retire from the House after 2018

State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-74) today announced that his second term in office, which will end with the 2017-18 session, will be his final one as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. His retirement will follow 56 years of public service. “Because of the citizens of the 74th District, I proudly worked in Harrisburg – despite the inevitable bureaucratic limitations...

A tragic loss hits Chester County’s political world

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Just days after their biggest win in more than a century, Chester County’s Democrats are now grieving one of the biggest losses — a life ended far too soon. Adam Swope, 38, who served as County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone’s Administrative Analyst and myriad other roles with the county party died Saturday afternoon in a fiery crash at the intersection of U.S. 202...

GOP putting the ‘mean’ in meaningless legislative efforts

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Fall, that time of year when a young man’s fancy turns to…a budget crisis, political dysfunction, a renewed health care mess and, oh, yeah, off-year elections. So, let’s see, the state still lacks a revenue plan to pay for a spending plan it passed some months ago, so now some bills aren’t being paid. The state House Republicans have come up with a wacky plan...

Pryor announces bid for 74th District state house seat

Frank Pryor EAST FALLOWFIELD — A township man announced Wednesday he will seek the 74th District State Representative seat in 2018. Frank Pryor said he would seek the democratic nomination for the seat currently held by State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-74). “As State Representative, I will advance opportunities for jobs & economic development, advocate for quality education and state of the art...

Cozzone pledges to continue bipartisan work in bid for Lt. Gov.

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times State Rep. Carolyn Comitta speaks during Tuesday’s formal announcement by County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone that she would run for Lt. Gov. WEST CHESTER — County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone formally announced her candidacy for Lt. Governor, Tuesday, surrounded by supporters, friends and family on the steps of the historic old courthouse. The formal decision...

Cozzone to announce bid for Lt. Gov

Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone will formally announce Tuesday that she plans to run for Lt. Governor in 2018. She plans a formal announcement on the steps of the Historic Courthouse in West Chester at 2 p.m.

Nobody asked me, but…

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times To be clear, the small number of misguided souls who call themselves Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists and the like should have no serious place in our public discourse (I’ll make the same argument for anyone, left, right, middle or otherwise who would use violence or intimidation to further their political aims). And aside from the small group of vocal, angry folks...