Smart ways to use your tax refund
By Joe Oliver, Columnist, The Times
It’s almost that time of year when many people start receiving their tax refunds. If you get one, what will you do with it?
Of course, the answer will depend somewhat on how big your refund is. Last year, the average refund amount was about $2,750, according to the Internal Revenue Service’s Filing Season Statistics report.
Whatever the size of your refund,...
It’s not about ‘parental rights,’ it’s about greed
By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa
You’ve probably heard a lot about “woke” “CRT” and “DEI” relating to public schools. And like most people, you may not be entirely sure what these terms mean and how they might impact your kids.
And maybe this might be a good time to offer a primer on what these terms mean, as it seems increasingly likely they will be thrown around a...
PA is a third-world state because of funding issues
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
Pennsylvania has a funding problem. Yes, right now, there is a budget surplus, but for decades state government has slowly been starving essential services such as police, education and roads/infrastructure.
There are a lot of issues — too many loopholes and tax exemptions for corporations (a shocking number of profitable companies pay nothing in...
Kennett Sq. presents proposed 2023 budget, 8.1% tax hike eyed
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget, totaling $5.1 million, was presented to the Kennett Square Council.
The presentation highlighted positive indicators of economic development in the Borough, including a 19% increase in growth-based revenue due to enhanced economic activity (Local Tax Enabling Act) over a five-year period. The proposed budget also reduces administrative...
Don’t let anyone tell you differently, your vote matters
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
There’s a temptation to throw up one’s arms and say “it is hopeless. There is nothing I can do.”
I fear a lot of people may have that point of view when it comes to voting on Nov. 2. Fatigued from so much bad news, frustration and acting out by a small number of people, I understand why people would just want to ignore all of this, watch Netflix...
Letter: Why this former Kennett Democratic primary candidate is now voting for a Republican
TowTo The Editor,
For generations, every member of my family, on both sides, has voted for Democrats. I have been left with no choice but to break with that tradition in this year’s election and vote for the Republican running for Kennett Township Supervisor, Geoffrey Gamble. My entire immediate family, and an increasing number of other loyal Kennett Democrats, are doing the same.
I must...
Businesses can now offset PA tax liability with donation to The Barn at Spring Brook Farm
The Barn at Spring Brook Farm in West Chester is announcing that starting July 1st, businesses can substantially offset their Pennsylvania tax liability with a donation that qualifies them for an Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC). The Barn at Spring Brook Farm is the only known organization in the Greater Philadelphia area that utilizes a variety of miniature and small-sized farm animals...
COVID-19 Update, April 15: Pa. case numbers slide, as cases, deaths tick up in Chester Co.
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
As the state legislature debates a bill that would reopen some Pennsylvania businesses, statewide cases continued a slow slide, as fatalities continued to mount — and Chester County saw an uptick in both cases and deaths from COVID-19.
The sate Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,145 new positive cases — bringing the statewide total to 26,490 — and 63 new...
Letter: Avondale can’t afford Borough Hall upgrades
To The Editor,
At a recent Avondale Borough council meeting, I learned that some council members are moving forward with a proposal to renovate and add on to the borough building.
As a taxpaying resident of the borough, I am in disagreement with this decision and wish to make other borough residents aware of the situation and how Avondale Borough’s money is being spent.
The joy (not) of paying the GOP tax
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Say what you will about Donald Trump, but a lot of what either thrills or angers folks is decades in the making. Essentially, Republicans being Republicans.
For me, personally, that means grabbing money from me and my family and cheerfully reassigning it to wealthy people and corporations. Until I recently did the math, though, I had no idea how bad those numbers...
