HB 1890: a perfect storm of cluelessness and cruelty

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times If you spend time on social media (my condolences), you’ve probably seen a lot of heat about a proposed Ohio law that would force women with ectopic pregnancies have their embryos/zygotes reimplanted. Whatever your views on on abortion, this is scientifically impossible — no one ends an ectopic pregnancy as a form of birth control, but literally as a life-saving...

Barrar won’t seek reelection in 2020

State Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-160) Long-time State Representative Stephen Barrar announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection for a 13th term in 2020. Barrar, a Republican, represents the 160th District which covers an area from the Kennett Square area east into Delaware County. He managed to hold off Democrat Anton Andrew by about 800 votes in 2018. With Andrew running again in 2020 — and...

The battle for the 160th: meet the candidates

By Eliza Mohler, Staff Writer, The Times PA HOUSE DISTRICT 160 – With less than a month until Election Day, the race in the 160th district is shaping up to be a battle for the ages: The Son of Darby vs. The Kid from Kennett. The veteran vs. the rookie. Goliath vs. David. Incumbent Stephen Barrar (R), who became the representative for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ 160th...

Anti-Gerrymandering bill takes hit, but supporters continue fight

By JP Phillips, Staff Writer, The Times State Rep. Eric Roe (R-158) speaks at a forum last month on ending Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania. Gerrymandering—what it is, how it’s done, how it disenfranchises voters, and how to end it—was the subject of two April town halls held jointly by State Representative Eric Roe (R-158) and Fair Districts PA Chair Carol Kuniholm. Because of population...

Letter: Barrar voted to silence our voices

To The Editor, This past week our current Representative, Stephen Barrar (R-160), voted to silence our voices. Stephen Barrar voted to pick his constituents rather than let the constituents pick their representative. This is not a new strategy to remain in power. This strategy started long ago, and is most glaringly evident by the old 7th district map. In 2011, when Pennsylvania redistricted the...

Letter: Don’t be fooled, Barrar doesn’t support gun control

To The Editor, In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida, we saw the same cycle of reaction from politicians. A lot of thoughts and prayers were offered. Some possible legislation was floated. But no real action was taken. Representative Stephen Barrar of the 160th, however, did take action. He co-sponsored House Bill 1400, which would create universal background...

Candidate Q&A: Stephen Barrar, 160th State House District

Stephen Barrar Editor’s Note: Once again, we posed the same nine questions to our legislative candidates and offered to publish them without edits or modification to allow our readers to get an unfiltered view of their positions on some of the top issues of the day in Pennsylvania. We will run the answers of all of the candidates for a given race at the same time — assuming all have responded. 1....

Barrar calls for enhanced civics education

Led by majority chairmen Reps. Steve Barrar (R-160) and Stan Saylor (R-York), the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness and Education committees held a hearing to hear testimony on House Bill 1858, which would require students to take the naturalization test as a condition of graduation. “This bipartisan bill, which has nearly 50 co-sponsors, would help to prepare our students for active,...

Barrar to host shredding/ drug take back event, Oct. 1

State Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-160) CHADDS FORD — Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) is hosting a shredding and drug take-back event on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at his district office, One Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford. The office is located at the intersection of Route 202 and Naamans Creek Road. “This is the perfect time to visit the office for anyone who might have difficulty...

Barrar rips DePasquale over VA audit report

A local State Representative is taking state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to task over his audit of care for the commonwealth’s military veterans. DePasquale’s office audited the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and cited various issues with waiting lists, admissions and other issues preventing Pennsylvania’s veterans from getting the medical care they need.