Business before pleasure
New bill limits insurance companies ability to take back benefits
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
When trying to decide what to name this month’s column I was stumped for awhile. Yet it seems that we are going to spend a small time talking about the current state of healthcare legislation and then laughing at the lastest fad.
The truth is that what I am going to share with...
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.
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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.
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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 has...
Op/Ed: The Constitution and why it matters
By Dan Truitt, State Representative, 156th District)
State Rep. Dan Truitt (R-156).
The longer I have been in Harrisburg, the more often I’ve found myself voting against pieces of legislation because I believe they violate the state or federal constitutions. Hanging directly above the computer screen in my West Chester office is a copy of the oath that I first took in January 2011: “I do solemnly...
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 veterans...
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 over...
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 that...
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 the...
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...
