Letter: Gifts to legislators must stop

To The Editor: Giving gifts to legislators is big business in our Commonwealth. Pennsylvanians were rightfully outraged when they learned legislators were accepting cash gifts, and it was all done legally. Under current Pennsylvania law, any gifts of any value can be given to legislators. Legislators only need to disclose gifts valued at over $250 or transportation and lodging valued at over $650....

Letter: Former student urges support for Lewis

To The Editor, I’m writing to urge everyone in the 74th District to vote for Harry Lewis for State Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 4th.  I am blessed to say that Mr. Lewis, or “Mr. Lew” as we called him in High School, played a big role in my life and personal development. I first met Mr. Lewis during my freshman year at Coatesville Area High School, when I decided to run track.  In addition...

Will Corbett stand up to the legislature on pensions?

How the governor plays this issue could decide the Nov. elections By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A wise attorney once told me, “never ask a question in court if you don’t know what the answer will be.” It appears that Gov. Tom Corbett failed to adhere to that maxim when he hinted he would not sign the new $29.1 billion state budget passed by both houses of the legislature — unless the...

Chamber of Business & Industry endorses three

Corbin, Hennessey, Walker earn group’s nod The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry this week announced its endorsement of three Chester County State Legislative candidates: incumbents Becky Corbin of the 157th District and Tim Hennessey of the 26th District as well as Cuyler Walker, who is seeking to replace State Rep. Chris Ross, who is not seeking reelection in the 158th District. All...

Bad state budget could wipe out Corbett and local legislators

If House plan is the final budget, GOP could face electoral doom in November By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times It looks like Gov. Tom Corbett could be winning his budget battle, but could be losing the war — and maybe a handful of state legislative seats in Chester County. We may have a better sense how bad the mess will be once a state budget is passed, maybe even by Monday. The House of Representatives...

Vaughn ousted as County Democrat chair

McGinniss slate wins narrow victory at party reorg meeting By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times In a somewhat surprising development, long-time Chester County Democratic Committee chair Michele Vaughn was defeated Thursday night in her bid for a third term leading the county’s Democrats. Brian McGinnis, an East Bradford resident, won a narrow victory at the committee’s reorganization meeting. Vaughn,...

Primary aftermath: Dinniman comes out the big winner

The state senator was not on the ballots, but he emerged as county’s top Democrat By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times While most primary elections in non-presidential years are kind of ho-hum events, Tuesday’s elections turned out to be more revealing than expected, and at minimum give us some hint of what is to come in November. Not shockingly, turnout was lousy, especially on the Republican...

Maxwell, Walker, Houghton win primaries

Wolf landslide seen as tempering Democratic turnout By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A number of closely watched races from the governor down to local state legislative races thought to be competitive turned out to be blow outs Tuesday — as Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell won the Democratic nod for State Representative in the 74th District and Cuyler Walker won the Republican nomination for State...

Letter: Frustrated with deceptive political ads

To The Editor Hear that? It’s a collective groan heard all across PA as the election shifts into full gear. We are bombarded with political ads: print ads, internet pop-ups, TV, radio and robo-calls. Primary ads are even more bizarre than general election ones. Republicans attack Republicans. Democrats attack Democrats. The ads are ugly. I think I speak for most ordinary citizens when I say I...

Young wants to fight for the American Dream

Says he worries opportunity is slipping away By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Joshua Young In the end, for Joshua Young, it’s about preserving that basic American Dream: starting with almost nothing and working one’s way into prosperity. Sitting outside the example of the auto service facility owned by his family he manages, Young, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for State Representative...