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Our Opinion

Our opinion: Immigrant licenses need checking

A group of state House Republicans aren’t with their proposal for PennDOT to periodically check the immigration status of legal immigrants who have holding Pennsylvania driver’s licenses and photo identification cards. Good luck convincing Gov. Josh Shapiro and House Democrats of that. The federal government needs to do a better job of making sure its records are up to date. Good luck convincing President Donald Trump and U.S. House Republicans of that fact. It’s a microcosm of why we find ourselves mired in this depressing state of affairs in our politics. We should all be ...

Our opinion: Road salt becomes sticky situation

Pennsylvania residents who watched as the just-concluded 2025-26 state budget-preparation debacle played out might be thinking that the Legislature surely might now be able to find an issue that it can handle more quickly and more efficiently. But, in fact, will it? There’s an issue “out there” involving road salt, but state lawmakers have found a way to make it more difficult than it ought to be. Some state lawmakers — and presumably some non-elected officials — believe that road salt’s use ought to be curbed in order to reduce environmental damage stemming from ...

Our opinion: Improved sign brightens holiday

The addition of LED lights to the trees behind the “Warren Wishes You Merry Christmas Happy New Year” sign along the Allegheny River at Crescent Park are a splendid addition to the holiday season in Warren. Nine sponsors have donated enough money to light nine trees behind the sign, with donations still being accepted. Business owners can have a tree decorated and a plaque will display the business name near the tree. In addition to those nine trees, a community tree will be the largest tree along the area and this year they aim to cover in lights as much as possible on the ...

Our opinion: Proficiency rates are worrisome

If Gov. Josh Shapiro was a parent, he would ground the state Education Department for the laggard proficiency rates on 2025 PSSA tests taken earlier this year by third- through eighth-graders throughout the commonwealth. That’s how bad the Education Department did on this part of its report card. Total proficiency for elementary and middle scholars was 48.5% in ELA and 41.7% in math. To their credit, Education Department officials didn’t waste their time trying to pat themselves on the back when they released the PSSA test results back in November. Only sixth-graders on the ELA ...

Our opinion: Phone ban worries can be addressed

State lawmakers across the country are considering bans on the use of cell phones by students during the school day. Pennsylvania is one of those states, with a joint legislative committee hearing testimony on the issue recently that included several education officials pushing state lawmakers to implement a bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools. Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, was part of that hearing, saying afterward she has concerns about the state implementing a bell-to-bell ban. Some of her concerns - who pays for the systems to secure student cell phones or who is responsible ...

Our opinion: Waiting periods won’t reduce crime

Legislation before both the state House and state Senate would set a 72-hour waiting period before law-abiding Pennsylvanians could complete a purchase of a firearm. Similar bills have been considered — and failed to secure passage — before. We are skeptical this measure warrants the time and effort for debate and voting. Supporters have given no indication that the additional time is necessary or valuable in conducting background checks. Assurances that a waiting period is constitutional hinge on how reasonable the length of the mandated wait is — and considering the aversion ...