Op/Ed: Legislators must end funding delay for community colleges

By Marta Yera Cronin, Ed.D., President, Delaware County Community College Marta Yera Cronin Nearly six months into the fiscal year, Delaware County Community College and Pennsylvania’s 14 other community colleges have yet to receive operating funds authorized in July as part of the state’s FY 2023-24 budget. Community colleges are the only public higher education institutions in Pennsylvania...

Op/Ed: Ditch forever chemicals forever

By Kristine Howard, State Representative, 167th District State Rep. Kristine Howard Since the 1940s, the use of a group of toxic man made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been increasingly used in numerous consumer goods and industrial processes. From degreasing pots and pans to making pants stain-resistant, PFAS use has proliferated over the past eight decades. While...

Letter: Fighting for the soul of our nation

To The Editor, Our democracy is at risk. A year after that act of domestic terrorism on the U.S. Capitol, our country continues to be a battlefield over the legitimacy of our elections and the right to vote. Believing the lies spread by the former president, elected Republicans and the right-wing media, thousands lay violent siege to our seat of American government, determined to stop the certification...

Letter: Legislature needs to back Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

To The Editor, Last December, I publicly testified in support of Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). In my testimony, I talked about being a young person trying to do everything in their power to fight against climate change and my concerns for my future if we don’t. I also shared my frustration at seeing the biggest polluters across PA not being held accountable...

Wolf’s budget proposal is great…and dead on arrival

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Gov. Tom Wolf introduced his 2021-22 budget, and I have to say it is audacious, ambitious and goes a long way to solve the root problems of much of what has plagued Pennsylvania for more than three decades. It is also, sadly, deader than Elvis. That says more about Pennsylvania and Republicans in the General Assembly than it does about Wolf. Not that...

Trump, Pa. Republicans trying to steal an election they lost

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa In the last few days, Chester County has become famous — just maybe not in the way most of us would like. In the fevered dreams of some, Chester County’s officials are part of a vast conspiracy to prevent Donald Trump from being reelected President. Social media is roaring — people from thousands of miles away lecture me on what happened in...

2020 Leg. Candidate Questionnaire: Eric Roe, Republican for State Rep., 158th District

Editor’s Note: As has been our tradition, The Times sent our its annual questionnaire to all Chester County legislative candidates, via their respective party. We publish these responses entirely unedited and unfiltered to give readers an honest assessment of the candidates and their positions. They will be published as candidates return them to us. Eric Roe,GOP candidate, 158th District 1....

Op/Ed: Inequitable public schooling in a nation of equality

Zack Zahlaway, Special to The Times Zack Zahlaway In a nation built on the principle that all people are created equal, how is it acceptable for certain children to receive more school funding based on their location and family’s income than other children? The fact of the matter is that this hypocritical truth plagues public school systems, especially in Pennsylvania. In a research report done...

Letter: Study the candidates and you’ll find Ruggieri is the best for 13th District

To the Editor, 2020 is an election year and I feel safe in writing that it will be unlike any other because of the Covid 19 epidemic. I also feel pretty certain that the election may not be, at this moment, in the forefront of your mind. As you probably know Pennsylvania moved the date of the primary from April 28th to June 2nd. Another reason why this election will be so unique is that Pennsylvania’s...

COVID-19 Update 3-27: Cases continue to climb in Pa.; primary election formally delayed

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The steady growth in cases of COVID-19 and deaths continues in Pennsylvania, while growth in Chester County appears to have slowed for one day, while state government continues to add legislation and programs in order to aid the fight against the deadly virus. The new numbers, as of midday Friday from the state Department of Health said that there are 531 additional...