Author

Ray Landis
A former spokesman for the Pennsylvania AARP, Ray E. Landis writes about the issues that matter to older Pennsylvanians. His work appears biweekly on the Capital-Star's Commentary Page. Readers may follow him on Twitter @RELandis.
Commentary: The politics of aging, 2024 edition
By: Ray Landis - October 26, 2023
Older voters may be set to reassert themselves in 2024 because, in a country which seems hopelessly divided along partisan lines, an issue not necessarily heading the list for squabbling politicians is top of mind of many seniors. That issue? The dramatic increase in the cost of food and other necessities and the resulting impact on those with relatively fixed incomes.
Bravo for expanding the property tax/rent rebate program. Now let’s find a better way to fund it.
By: Ray Landis - August 18, 2023
Gov. Josh Shapiro and members of the General Assembly are taking a victory lap around Pennsylvania touting the expansion of the commonwealth’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate program. There’s a great deal more to this legislation than the expansion of a popular program for low-to-middle income seniors, however. It speaks to the use of lottery […]
Commentary: Pennsylvania should ban utility shutoffs in extreme summer heat
By: Ray Landis - August 2, 2023
Headlines around the globe this summer have featured the heat and extreme weather impacting the Northern Hemisphere. Fires, floods, and record setting temperatures have stretched from Europe to North America to China as governments and people try to adjust to what appears to be a new normal for our climate. A growing concern as temperatures […]
Pa.’s voucher debate isn’t over. It’s just on hold. We’ll see how it ends | Ray E. Landis
By: Ray Landis - July 17, 2023
Meanwhile, funding for scores of state programs and school districts remains in limbo.
While Congress fiddles on immigration reform, central Pa. embraced Bhutanese migrants | Ray Landis
By: Ray Landis - June 25, 2023
An immigration know-nothing in the White House would just make a bad situation worse.
Shapiro’s master plan for older Pennsylvanian has good first steps | Ray E. Landis
By: Ray Landis - June 11, 2023
Taking words on a page and making them real will take work. But it can happen if we work together.
Here’s the risk to Pa. — and other states — from our national disunion | Ray E. Landis
By: Ray Landis - May 25, 2023
A national divorce would put the most vulnerable at risk. They must be protected.
Sure the budget jockeying is interesting. But don’t forget it impacts real people | Ray E. Landis
By: Ray Landis - May 8, 2023
The one-vote majority Democrats hold in the lower chamber could also be more a curse than a blessing in budget negotiations.
If you pay them, they will come | Ray E. Landis
By: Ray Landis - April 23, 2023
Waiving degree requirements was a good idea. But if you want to attract the best, pay a competitive wage.
A bank crashes. A train derails. And you wonder why we need government regulation? | Ray Landis
By: Ray Landis - April 9, 2023
Everyone says they don't need the government -- until they really need the government.
What to do about the problem that is Medicare Advantage? | Ray E. Landis
By: Ray Landis - March 23, 2023
Medicare Advantage plans are offerings by private insurers which replace standard Medicare coverage.
PPL’s problem proves it, electricity shopping isn’t in consumers’ best interest | Ray E. Landis
By: Ray Landis - February 26, 2023
Pennsylvania’s electric deregulation law has again let down consumers. Here's how.