Wolf pitches severance tax, education funding in Caln

Proposed act would put 5% tax on natural gas extraction, raise up to $1B By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times Gov. Tom Wolf introduces his proposal for a natural gas severance tax, with much of the proceeds to go to education funding, at Caln Elementary School, Wednesday. CALN – Gov. Tom Wolf visited Caln Elementary School Wednesday morning to introduce the Pennsylvania Education Reinvestment...

Tis’ the season for finalizing municipal budgets

East Marlborough OKs 2015 budget;  fire tax increases by .10 mils, other rates hold steady By Karen Cresta, Correspondent, The Times EAST MARLBOROUGH – The Township Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Monday night was held with a successful outcome of an approved budget for 2015.  The good news for township residents – the real estate (1.05 mils), library (.183 mils) and open space (.2 mils) taxes...

Road safety is a focus in Chadds Ford

No property tax increase in 2015 By Kris Firey-Poling, Correspondent, The Times Chadds Ford Township Supervisors Keith Klaver (left) and Frank Murphy discuss road safety issues with residents, during Wednesday night’s Board of Supervisors meeting. CHADDS FORD — Road safety dominated Wednesday night’s township Board of Supervisors meeting. Township Engineer Joseph Mastronardo presented the...

Letter: Rep. Pitts only represents the 1%, not us

Editor’s Note: The following is an open letter to U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts — and it’s author asked that it be published as a letter to the editor. Dear Rep. Pitts, I received your letter asking me to contribute to your re-election campaign and vote for you on Nov 4th.  It was good to hear from you. You expressed pride in the work that you have supposedly done for me.  Really?  That is delusional;...

Kennett’s finances remain healthy

Report to address whether to consolidate local police departments By Rick Marts, Correspondent, The Times Kennett Township Manager Lisa Moore details the condition of the township’s finances during Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. KENNETT — Wednesday night’s meeting of the township’s Board of Supervisors was highlighted by Township Manager Lisa Moore’s presentation...

Op/Ed: All budgets reflect values

By Susan Rzucidlo, Candidate, State Representative, 158th District Susan Rzucidlo Budget season in Harrisburg is in full swing. Mark Kennedy Shriver, (Former Maryland Representative and now with Save the Children), once said, “All budgets reflect values.” This is a statement with which I agree. What values does this year’s budget reflect? As we face a $1.2 billion dollar deficit, Gov. Tom...

Unionville likely to limit tax hike to 2.66%

Questions remain on use of reserve funds, revenue projections By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times EAST MARLBOROUGH — If the final number is all but set, how exactly to get there remains a bit up in the air, as consensus seemed to form amongst the Unionville-Chadds Ford Board of Education Monday night around a blended tax rate increase of about 2.66% for the 2014-15 school year budget. But the big question...

Spring brings out the senseless in politics

May brings flowers and Silly Season, Part I By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Ah yes, it’s May. The blooms are on the trees, warm sunshine is here (that is when we don’t get washed away by five inches of rain), the birds are singing and Spring is in the air. Oh, and the crazy is really ramped up in the political world. From the 158th state house district to Gov. Tom Corbett, the red mist has fully...

Pocopson says county should pay share of fire protection

Township objects to prison, Pocopson Home residents included in share funding By Kelli Siehl, Staff Writer, The Times POCOPSON — Township officials say that local residents should not be asked to pay for the fire-protection cost of residents at county-owned facilities, which now threaten to eat up one-third — or more – of the municipal budget, were the township to comply with funding recommendations. At...

Local legislators have concerns on Corbett’s budget plan

Worry that revenue projections too optimistic, pension issues not addressed By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Gov. Tom Corbett Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his 2014-15 budget plan Tuesday in a speech to a joint session of the state legislature — and it appears that some provisions, such as cutting state pension fund contributions and increasing spending without a clear way to pay for it could make...