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....

Candidate Q&A: David Cleary, 160th State House District

David Cleary 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....

It’s not just Coatesville: funding crisis coming to your school, too

As poorer districts struggle, they are everyone’s future without state action By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times If you’ve been in and around Coatesville recently, you may have seen picketing teachers — as was the case at the district’s three middle schools Thursday night. The contract between the district and the Coatesville Area Teachers Association expired in late August and there...

Barrar hosts War College students for policy talk

Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160) and other legislators were presented with a certificate of appreciation Tuesday from United States Army War College students following a policy issues discussion that he hosted. HARRISBURG — State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160) hosted a discussion with other members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees about policy issues affecting...

Chesco Dems back Sestak, Parrish, Balchunis and Hartman

The county’s Democratic Party made key endorsements in the U.S. Senate race as well in three local congressional races at its annual party convention, Wednesday night, backing Joe Sestak for Senate and Michael Parrish in the 6th District, Mary Ellen Balchunis in the 7th District and Christina Hartman in the 16th District. Additionally, the committee endorsed Josh Shapiro for Attorney General...

Wolf calls GOP budget ‘garbage;’ line-item vetoes much of it

But some funds will flow to local schools and social services as dispute continues By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Updated, 3:40 p.m.: adds GOP House leadership comments. While school districts and social service agencies in Chester County can finally look forward to seeing some state funds finally come their way after a six-month state budget standoff, Gov. Tom Wolf signaled Tuesday clearly...

Merry @#$% Christmas: Senate sends Wolf last-minute budget

Gov. won’t say whether he’ll veto budget without pension reform, liquor fixes By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The State Senate sent Gov. Tom Wolf a most unwelcome gift — a $30.2 billion budget bill similar to one he vetoed earlier this year, after a compromise that would have included pension reform and changes to how liquor is sold collapsed, amid a bizarre series of events in...

Despite Chesco Reps revolt, budget talks stall

GOP House members leave for holiday, no clear path ahead By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times T’was the day before the day before Christmas, When all through the (State) House, Various angry politicians were heard to espouse: “Ghost voting,” “vote to reconsider” “insurgent” and “Twitter fight” As legislators sought to finally get a state budget right… Local State Reps (clockwise...

Chesco legislators split on pension, budget deal

Sources say stop-gap budget likely to be sent to Gov. Wolf Tuesday By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times “Frustration.” “Confusion.” Those two words, which repeatedly came up when speaking with local legislators about the ongoing state budget standoff, seem to best describe where things stand in the current six-month state budget standoff. The standoff looked to come to an end this past weekend,...

One man stands between the people and medical marijuana

Our dysfunctional legislature hits new highs for foolishness By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Greetings from one of the last Internet outposts not hacked by the Chinese (we don’t rate) or calling from (allegedly) Microsoft Technical Support to assist you with your computer issues once you give us your password, credit card number and home address information. In comparison, the recent shenanigans...