Ignoring the will of the voters won’t end well for GOP

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa “Voters? We don’t need no stinkin’ voters.” As it self-immolates into the dustbin of history, the Republican Party in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. seems to really only stand for one thing: ignoring the will of the voters. Sure, it’s bad politics and bad policy, but ignoring the will of the people seems to be just about that trick left...

It’s hard to feel like much will get done on gun safety

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The mass shootings continue — so many it is hard to keep track. And we do nothing. That’s because the gun lobby has mobilized a fanatic minority of the population to think they have some holy right to own, carry and use guns with no restrictions. “Shall not be infringed” they scream at the slightest suggestion of any common sense gun safety...

State Supreme Court picks Democrat-backed map for Congressional districts

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The new Sixth District, which looks much like the old 6th. The State Supreme Court ruled Wednesday a Democratic backed “Carter Plan” district map should be used for the 2022 Congressional elections, rejecting a Republican proposal — and likely sending the the dispute to the federal courts, as happened in 2018, when Republicans lost a...

Vogel announces run for Congress

Ron Vogel A Chester County Realtor has announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 6th District. In a letter, Ron Vogel informed the members of the Republican Committees of Chester and Berks Counties of his intention to seek the seat currently held by Democrat Chrissy Houlahan. Vogel said: “I will not stand idly by while the America we all love...

Houlahan highlights threat to local economy posed by Spotted Lanterfly

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan speaks at a media event Monday to highlight the threat to the local economy from the Spotted Lanterfly, as Braeloch Brewing owner Ken Steeves looks on. KENNETT SQUARE — If you are a beer or wine lover — or a fan of Chester County’s great agricultural products — you have a new Public Enemy, No. 1: the Spotted Lanternfly. This...

Pa., Chesco, municipalities to get funds from American Rescue Plan

Chester County and its municipalities are expected to receive an estimated $153 million in total federal pandemic relief through the recently passed American Rescue Plan (ARP), state Senator Carolyn Comitta said. According to estimates from the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee, Chester County will receive $101.82 million in estimated relief and its 73 municipalities will...

Houlahan backs effort to raise the minimum wage

U.S Rep. Chrissy Houlahan WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-6) announced she was a co-sponsor of the Raise the Wage Act of 2021. The legislation will phase in an increase to the minimum wage to $15/hr by 2025, which will give nearly 32 million Americans and nearly 100,000 Pennsylvanians right here in our community a raise. Rep. Houlahan also sponsored this legislation...

It’s happening: Democrats to outnumber GOP in Chester County

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Well, it finally happened. By Monday, it is very likely that for the first time since before the Civil War, there will be more registered Democrats in Chester County than Republicans. Last week, the gap had closed to less than 65, and Democrats had been picking up a couple of hundred registered voters a week in recent weeks. Obviously, electorally,...

Wolf’s conduct on the pipeline is impossible to explain

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times It runs like a scar across Chester County, a tear far more than a flesh wound, winding across the middle of the county as a reminder that the rich and the powerful can always buy off government at the expense of the people. It is, of course, the Mariner East II pipeline. It is appears to be back under construction because of a waiver from the Wolf Administration...

Letter: Pelosi’s drug pricing plan will hurt innovation and access

To the Editor: For people living with chronic illness, daily life can be excruciatingly difficult. But if your child is the one suffering, like my daughter who has POTS, gastroparesis, and celiac disease, life is often challenging because you feel useless. No parent wants to feel like they cannot help their child. Fortunately, our medical researchers are finding new treatments every day. Progress...