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...
GOP says Wolf’s tax math doesn’t add up
And they may have a point, when it comes to sales tax hike
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
WEST CHESTER — Five of the county’s state legislative delegation pushed back on Gov. Tom Wolf’s sales tax increase proposal Friday — arguing that it would cost Chester County taxpayers an additional $177 million a year in taxes.
State Representatives Dan Truitt (R-156), Becky Corbin (R-155), Tim...
Op/Ed: The Affordable Care Act works
By Joe Sestak
Joe Sestak
I’m reminded that it was five years ago last month that Congress voted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, promising to control costs and offer better coverage to more Americans.
Back then, many argued that the ACA would be a massive failure with disastrous consequences for our state and bankrupt our nation. They claimed that the law was too...
Letter: Toomey doesn’t get it when it comes to student debt
To the Editor:
Senator Toomey doesn’t get it. For most hardworking Americans it’s no secret that student loan debt is becoming one of our nation’s most pressing national crises. Americans now suffer approximately 1.2 trillion dollars in student loan debt. This is significantly higher than either auto loan or credit card debt.
In particular it has affected the millennial generation to such...
Letter: Inspired by Sestak’s walk across Pennsylvania
To the Editor,
I am writing to share how inspired I have been by Admiral Joe Sestak’s 422 mile walk across Pennsylvania (ending on Saturday), after announcing his candidacy for Senate (running against Pat Toomey.) He truly wants to “walk in the shoes” of all Pennsylvanians, and he’s been meeting with people of all walks of life, outlining his concerns and truly listening.
This is the kind...
Op/Ed: It’s time to overhaul state’s tax code
Gov. Wolf deserves credit for starting a conversation on taxing
By Kathi Cozzone, Chester County Commissioner
Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone
Most Pennsylvanians would agree that our tax code needs some work. I talk to many residents with long-standing complaints: senior citizens having trouble coping with rising school property taxes, small business owners paying the nation’s highest...
Letter: Toomey is blocking job creation
To the editor:
Our state has a proud history as a center of manufacturing. Of course the economy evolves, but we have also sustained self-inflicted damage. US taxpayers have been paying to encourage corporations to outsource their production and even to move their headquarters abroad. What sense does that make (except to the corporations, of course)?
I recall a few years ago, IBM fired a...
Op/Ed: Attracting veterans to our state universities
State schools offer many options for those who served
By Rep. Steve Barrar, State Representative, 160th District
State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160).
I recently met with officials from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to discuss what we are doing to attract veterans and their families to Pennsylvania colleges and universities. There are so many wonderful opportunities for...
Wolf’s budget proposal brings out the silly from both sides
And…York area senator trash talks our senators, again
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
It was a bit frosty in Harrisburg this week — and I don’t just mean the “my gosh will this awful winter ever end” kind of frosty, but a less than warm reception to Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal and, because it is the time for giving (at least to political columnists), more Republican...
Op/Ed: Keep child predators out of Pa.’s classrooms
Backs federal legislation to enforce background checks, sharing of data across states
By Thomas P. Hogan, Chester County District Attorney
Thomas P. HoganLast year, news broke that the Coatesville Area School District had hired multiple convicted felons and entrusted the safety and care of children to such criminals. For example, Victor Ford’s convictions for multiple state and federal felonies...
