Op/Ed: Safe nursing staffing rules save lives

By Leah Cosgrove, Special to The Times Leah Cosgrove Today, nurses are burnt out and at their limit. There are no mandated staffing ratios in Pennsylvania. Our nurses are being spread dangerously thin in taking care of too many patients. Implementation of mandated staffing ratios will create safer patient care and happier nurses. Imagine that you’re a barista with a line of customers. One is...

Op/Ed: Candles and balloons

By Donna Bullock, State Representative, 195th District State Rep. Donna Bullock My older son celebrated his 13th birthday in January.  We shared this moment virtually with family and friends. As I decorated his backdrop with balloons and he blew out candles on a cake, it hit me. Something so innocent and joyful has been redefined by the growing number of gun deaths. A week before, a 9-year-old...

Obama expected to sign four Meehan bills

Congressman Pat Meehan looks on as Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) signs the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to send it to the President’s desk on Thursday. President Barack Obama was expected to sign four bills authored by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-7.) after all received broad bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate this week. Three of the measures were included in landmark legislation...

Dinniman introduces bill to regulate electronic billboards

State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19) State Senator Andy Dinniman has introduced legislation calling for more thorough guidelines regarding the placement of large electronic and digital billboards alongside roadways and nearby local communities throughout Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1301 calls for local municipalities to conduct public hearings before approving such billboards. Under the legislation, the...