Will Corbett stand up to the legislature on pensions?

How the governor plays this issue could decide the Nov. elections
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
A wise attorney once told me, “never ask a question in court if you don’t know what the answer will be.”
It appears that Gov. Tom Corbett failed to adhere to that maxim when he hinted he would not sign the new $29.1 billion state budget passed by both houses of the legislature — unless the...
Bad state budget could wipe out Corbett and local legislators

If House plan is the final budget, GOP could face electoral doom in November
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
It looks like Gov. Tom Corbett could be winning his budget battle, but could be losing the war — and maybe a handful of state legislative seats in Chester County. We may have a better sense how bad the mess will be once a state budget is passed, maybe even by Monday.
The House of Representatives...
Op/Ed: All budgets reflect values

By Susan Rzucidlo, Candidate, State Representative, 158th District
Susan Rzucidlo
Budget season in Harrisburg is in full swing. Mark Kennedy Shriver, (Former Maryland Representative and now with Save the Children), once said, “All budgets reflect values.” This is a statement with which I agree. What values does this year’s budget reflect?
As we face a $1.2 billion dollar deficit, Gov....
Letter: Objects to writer’s published comments

To The Editor,
I am reaching out once again as my initial letter was never published. I was very disappointed when I read an article regarding the stalking cases surrounding Lisa Robertson a host on QVC. An executive with this company, Kathy Brady Shea clearly stated that it was Miss Robertson’s fault that these guys were stalking her and perhaps it was her wardrobe to blame. Ms. Shea seemed...
Op/Ed: Time to fix Special Ed. funding

It’s time for a funding system based on actual needs
By Lisa Lightner, Special to The Times
Lisa Lightner, as seen with her special needs son at The White House, recently.
The time is now to reform Pennsylvania’s special education funding
Based on broad, bi-partisan support, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has introduced companion special education funding reform bills: HB 2138 and...
Letter: Real facts about Taylor library move

To The Editor,
I serve as a trustee on the Board of the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library.
We made an announcement that we were moving location two weeks ago, which has been very well received by the majority of people and patrons.
There are a few people who are disappointed and that is sad; but I felt it necessary to set the story straight, as some of the letters to the press have featured incorrect...
The coming public safety crisis

If we don’t deal with it now, fire, EMS and police issues could cost us dearly
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
You’ve probably heard about the pension crisis, maybe the school funding crisis or any number of other challenges facing the commonwealth in the coming years.
But let me clue you in to one that might just have you up nights thinking about it: the coming public safety crisis.
The...
Letter: Library board has failed on relocation

To The Editor:
Two decades ago, the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library Board announced the need for a new library facility. This facility still does not exist and apparently will not be available for at least another decade. The Boards over the years have made decisions and proposals that the community simply does not support.
The community rejected the Board’s current suggestion to use the...
Primary aftermath: Dinniman comes out the big winner

The state senator was not on the ballots, but he emerged as county’s top Democrat
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
While most primary elections in non-presidential years are kind of ho-hum events, Tuesday’s elections turned out to be more revealing than expected, and at minimum give us some hint of what is to come in November.
Not shockingly, turnout was lousy, especially on the Republican...