Letter: A vote for Katie Muth

To The Editor: As election day approaches I am looking forward to supporting the candidates best aligned with my beliefs and values. As a lifelong Republican I will be supporting many of the Republican candidates. For Senate in the 44th district I will be supporting Katie Muth. As a Humane Society of the United States volunteer I have had the opportunity to work with Senator Muth and her staff on a...

Dinniman announces retirement

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times State Sen. Andy Dinniman Chester County Democratic powerhouse State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced Friday night that he would not seek reelection for a fourth term — just weeks after launching his reelection. Dinniman, a former County Commissioner and Democratic Party Chair, announced Friday that family concerns meant it was time to end a three-decade career in politics,...

Endorsements: Malloy, Dinniman for state Senate

Although the headlines from the national race have grabbed the headlines, we in Pennsylvania stand at a crossroads: the state’s finances are broken, we continue struggle to manage to pay for road and bridge and repairs, policing and education. Pensions continue to strangle the state budget and boost local property taxes. Our state legislature continues to be exceptionally dysfunctional and overly...

Local legislators back bipartisan state budget

Senate, Gov. must OK $31.55 billion state spending plan By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Correction: Adds Rep. Truitt’s vote. It appears last year’s long, drawn out state budget process may be shorter — based on the bipartisan passage of a new $31.55 billion budget by the state House of Representatives, Tuesday, 132-68. The budget was supported by seven Chester County State Representatives...

Letter: ‘shameful’ attempt by legislature to end jury commissioners

To The Editor: On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives joined the Senate of Pennsylvania in a shameful attempt to circumvent a ruling of the state Supreme Court and unlawfully, once again, eliminate an elected office that has protected the public’s rights in the selection of juries for 145 years. We, the members of the Pennsylvania State Association of Jury Commissioners, are in no...

GOP turns back Democratic tide locally

Republicans hold all nine Chester County state house seats, Romney wins narrow victory By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Among Tuesday’s legislative winners in Chester County, from top left: State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-19), State Sen. Dominic Pieleggi (R-9), from middle left: State Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-26), State Rep. John Lawrence (R-13), State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160), from left left, State...

Hello 2012, welcome to the deep stuff

Hijinks in the 19th Senate District kick off election season, more silliness likely ahead By Mike McGann, Editor, CoatesvilleTimes.com Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the Internet, we’re back with the first column of 2012. Although probably not as exciting as Googling “Santorum” — and no, you really, really don’t want to do that — it’s good to be back in the saddle in...

Houghton will challenge Dinniman for Senate seat

Redistricted out of the 9th, he will challenge state Sen. Andy Dinniman for the Democratic nomination in the 19th District Former State Rep. Tom Houghton LONDON GROVE — Former State Representative, Township Supervisor and attorney Tom Houghton announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 19th District, which covers most of the greater Coatesville area. Houghton started in public...