Wolf expands dining ban statewide, liquor stores close
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania was placed on a virtual lockdown by Gov. Tom Wolf — joining five counties, including Chester County, that saw all non-essential businesses being asked to close for two weeks as part of the battle to fight the COVID-19 virus spread. Additionally, all bars and restaurants can no longer allow dine-in customers.
The state is advising...
Iowa? New Hampshire? How about Pennsylvania being first for a change?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
So….does anyone know the outcome of the Iowa Caucus?
In truth, does it actually matter?
Which leads to this point: it’s time for Iowa and, frankly, New Hampshire, to take a back seat on this first-in the nation primary/caucus crap.
Truthfully, a state that often finds itself with a meaningless primary should really be first.
Pennsylvania.
Hey, it is where America...
We The People are We The Jury when it comes to impeachment
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Today, for just the third time in U.S. history, an impeachment trial of the President of the United States begins.
While the pundits will go on endlessly about the 100 U.S. Senators who will decide President Donald J. Trump’s fate, there is a greater truth.
We — the American people — are the jury. You have a duty to watch if possible, catch up and stay informed...
Houlahan deserves credit for careful consideration on impeachment
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
By now, America has absorbed the fact that President Donald J. Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.
While Republicans in Pennsylvania had little choice but to submit to the cult of Trump personality — conform or suffer electorally fatal Twitter attacks from the president — Democrats, like our own Rep. Chrissy Houlahan approached...
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...
Op/Ed: Good news on standardized testing?
By Jeff Hellrung, Member, Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education
Gov. Tom Wolf joined Education Secretary Pedro Rivera, advocates, and educators last month to announce a significant reduction in standardized testing for elementary students. One test section will be eliminated in both Math and ELA PSSA tests amounting to a 93 minute total time reduction. Also, approximately 22 minutes will be taken...
Chris Ross talks Harrisburg and good government
By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times
Former state representative Chris Ross (R-158) recently was so kind as to spend an hour and a half talking with me about his 20 years representing a district that stretches from eastern and southern West Goshen west through the Bradfords and then south as far as London Britain and the Delaware border.
I had interviewed him before back in the fall of 2012....
Abortion ban makes no religious, moral or political sense
Rushing through SB3 is a suicide play for Pa. GOP
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
On a very special Monday edition of “Why Your State Legislature Sucks,” let me chat with you for a moment about state Senate Bill 3.
With the myriad of problems facing our commonwealth, it is this bill, which addresses exactly none of them, that will likely dominate headlines this week and beyond in Pennsylvania.
With...
Op/Ed: Know your voting rights
By Pedro A. Cortés, Secretary of State, Pennsylvania
Pedro A. Cortés
It is hard to escape the fact that the November 8 general election is quickly approaching.
At the Pennsylvania Department of State, we have a deep commitment to ensuring a fair, secure and smooth electoral process. Voting is one of our most fundamental rights as citizens. As Pennsylvania’s Chief Election Officer, it is my responsibility...
State launches cheesemakers guild
A group of cheesemakers, retailers, scientists and supporters of Pennsylvania-made cheese have joined together to create a guild in support of the growing artisan industry in the state.
The proposed mission of the guild is to “promote the highest standards of cheesemaking and celebrate the diversity of the cheese community in Pennsylvania through partnerships, outreach and education,” according...
