Author

Capital-Star Guest Contributor
The Pennsylvania Capital-Star welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation on how politics and public policy affects the day-to-day lives of people across the commonwealth.
Pa.’s criminal legal system increases overdose deaths and makes recovery impossible | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - January 9, 2023
By Sean Fogler and Carla Sofronski In 2021, over 5,300 Pennsylvanians lost their lives to a preventable drug overdose. Pennsylvania policy makers and local government officials have led the charge in fueling this historic public health crisis. While there are many factors contributing to this horrific toll, Pennsylvania’s criminal legal system stands alone in its […]
An independent Pa. House speaker? Now let independents vote in primaries | David Thornburgh
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - January 8, 2023
Rep. Mark Rozzi's election has opened the door to more fully involving independent voters in our democracy.
What white people get wrong about Black dads | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - January 6, 2023
The Black men I saw growing up had only ever worked toward one goal with their children: To give them a better life than they had.
How the ancient Greeks can help us understand Jan. 6 and its aftermath | Analysis
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - January 6, 2023
The historian Thucydides, who lived nearly 2,500 years ago, can provide us with some answers and insights.
Virginia abolished biased, botched executions; more states should follow suit | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - January 5, 2023
The imposition of a death sentence gives a false impression that justice is being served.
A record number of women won governor offices in 2022. Seven things to know | Analysis
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - January 4, 2023
By William R. Wilkerson and Alana Jeydel Twelve women won a governor’s office in the November 2022 midterm election. Those 12 represent a record number of women governors, more than one-quarter of the 46 women who have ever served as governor since 1974. These women are slated to be inaugurated in early January 2023. A […]
Pelé: a global superstar and cultural icon who put passion at the heart of soccer | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - January 3, 2023
Pelé was not only skillful, he also brought great joy to innumerable people across the world over the course of decades.
Americans’ personal savings are at an all-time low. That matters if there’s a recession | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - January 1, 2023
An economist explains why that's a big deal -- and what to do about it.
We can all do more to prevent roadway tragedies. This is how | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - December 31, 2022
It’s a sobering fact: 360 lives were lost in crashes on our roads across metropolitan Washington, including Northern Virginia, in 2021.
A pastor comes to terms with the church’s idols of Trump, money and power | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - December 30, 2022
Biblical Christianity — forged in the cross, humility, and poverty — has been at war with a co-opted Christianity that forgets Jesus’s gospel of liberation.
LGBTQ Americans are 9 times more likely to be victimized by a hate crime | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - December 29, 2022
Hate crimes don't just impact victims. They reverberate through a community, causing lasting harm.
EPA needs to finalize strong, comprehensive methane standards. Here’s why | Opinion
By: Capital-Star Guest Contributor - December 28, 2022
For multiple reasons, Pennsylvanians truly have the most to benefit from this federal rule-making.