commentary
He who imposes burdens bears the burden of proof | Opinion
As a physician there have been times when I felt it necessary to take a scalpel and cut into someone. However, there exists a moral presumption against such action, even if I believe it is justified. In such a situation the burden is not on the patient to convince me to refrain. Rather, the burden is on me to convince the patient that I should proceed. This is true despite my credentials in the field.
The Wonder of It All | Opinion
It is amazing to me that we humans are still able to keep our sense of wonder and hopefulness. Equally amazing is the strength of our democracy-- still young and experimental historically, but capable of bringing us all together in unity and concern for one another. We know there is a lot of shoveling to do, but together we can do this.
In season of sharing, Pa. must show it cares | Opinion
Specifically, we propose allocating more than $1 billion towards unemployment compensation protection, as so many Pennsylvanians have lost jobs and income over the course of the pandemic. We propose $800 million in business assistance, including $300 million for taverns and restaurants so they can pay workers and rent, and be in a position to reopen safely. And we propose more than $100 million for housing assistance. Housing is a human right, and we must make affordable housing accessible always – but especially right now.
Pennsylvania needs more jobs. RGGI will create them — by investing in energy efficiency | Opinion
This opportunity arrives not a moment too soon. Pennsylvania’s pandemic recession numbers are bleak: the state government faces a nearly $5 billion shortfall over two years, and 453,000 payroll jobs will be lost this year in the Commonwealth. Leadership should do everything in its power to swiftly and sustainably rebuild the economy.
Salt for snow and ice: Effects on waterways not very nice | Opinion
By Harry Campbell Just like too much salt in your diet can be bad for your health, too much salt on our roads and sidewalks can be bad for the health of our rivers and streams. Pennsylvania is among northern states in what is referred to as the Salt Belt, named for their use of […]
Looking ahead: The 2021 Farm Show | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Associate Editor Cassie Miller here with you for the remainder of the week while John is off. Let’s dive right in! Taking place in early January, the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show has helped the Keystone State kickoff the new year for more than a century. In August, state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that the 2021 […]
The daunting task of reshaping PASSHE | Opinion
The 14-school system’s enrollment has plunged by 21 percent from its 2010 peak of 119,513 students. But while the student census has, on net, fallen precipitously, commensurate reductions in faculty, other staffing and standalone institutions that kept costs unacceptably high were not considered.
Why does the Electoral College exist, and how does it work? 5 essential reads | Opinion
The expected vote total: 306 for Democrat Joe Biden and 232 for Republican Donald Trump. It will be their votes – not the votes of the nearly 160 million Americans who cast ballots on or before Nov. 3 – that will determine whose presidential term will begin on Jan. 20, 2021.
The evidence that the Electoral College has been historically unfair | John A. Tures
As you probably know, a state’s Electoral College vote is based upon how many members of the House of Representatives a state has, as well as a pair of votes for the two senators each state has.
Washington, D.C. could learn a lot from Pa. leadership | Opinion
Faced with a nearly $5 billion budget hole, Republicans and Democrats negotiated effectively with Governor Tom Wolf and passed a remaining fiscal year budget with minimal damage to existing state programs. By using a combination of federal CARES Act funding and Rainy-Day Funds, leaders were able to come together to keep the Commonwealth moving ahead.
Corporate America’s covert attack on your family | Opinion
Wanting to make a dollar isn’t a bad thing, but we must be wary when those efforts put the personal and financial safety of our families at risk.