County to hike property taxes 4.95% for 2017
First increase since 2014
WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2017 budget this week. The budget calls for $460,094,845 in operating expenses and $87,504,129 for its capital budget.
“Led by our strategic priorities, including public safety and balanced growth, Chester County continues to invest in projects, programs and services that will benefit our residents...
Letter: When will Rep. Lewis pay for the budget?
To The Editor,
Monday, Governor Tom Wolf announced that he would allow the bipartisan, compromise budget to become law without his signature by midnight that night unless he had an honest package with sustainable, recurring, and sufficient revenue to sign before that time.
That did not happen.
The General Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to pass a sustainable revenue package to pay...
Chesco touts 10 years with AAA bond rating
WEST CHESTER — With the announcement this week of the reaffirmation of all three Triple-A bond ratings, Chester County marks 10 years as a government entity that has earned – and maintained – the highest possible rating status. It is the only county in Pennsylvania that holds the three Triple-A rating distinctions, and is one of just 43 counties nationwide.
Favorable market conditions combined...
Merry @#$% 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...
Wolf: I’ll veto ‘stop-gap’ budget
Local ex-State Rep. says folks should look at changes in state government after deadlock
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Gov. Tom Wolf, seen here in a visit to Chester County earlier this year, said he would veto the so-called “stop-gap” budget the State House was considering Tuesday.
Although local state legislators had hoped that Gov. Tom Wolf would accept parts of an 11-month...
Toomey talks economy, odds of federal shutdown during Chesco visit
U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R) gets a tour of the facility from Lord’s Pantry Executive Director Jan Leaf, Monday in Downingtown.
U.S. Senator said he thinks shutdown is doubtful; seeks new policies to get economy moving
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
DOWNINGTOWN — U.S Sen. Pat Toomey spent much of Monday morning in Chester County, visiting a local food bank and attending a Veterans’ Administration...
Delusions and confusion; or just another day in Harrisburg
State pols continue to labor under budget, tax delusions
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Ah, nothing says “holiday seasons” like the ongoing state budget stalemate.
Perfectly, both Democrats and Republicans continue to labor under impressive delusions about the current state of the commonwealth — and the outcomes of some proposed legislation that would provide cornerstones for a possible...
Commissioners: No tax hike expected for 2016
WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners Thursday unveiled the preliminary 2016 county budget. The proposed budget does not increase taxes for county property owners — which would mark the fourth straight year without a tax increase.
Presenting the preliminary budget to the Commissioners at Thursday’s Sunshine meeting, Mark Rupsis, County Chief Operating Officer noted that the county...
Letter: Wolf is fighting for middle class families
To The Editor,
Governor Wolf is fighting for middle-class families in Pennsylvania by reversing the damaging Republican cuts to education and human service providers. The governor’s budget invests in education, provides property tax relief, and fixes the budget deficit created by Republicans without using gimmicks or games. Standing firm in his commitment to these priorities, the governor has...
