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Inflation putting squeeze on household spending

The Fed held rates where they were – 3.5% to 3.75% – and nobody was surprised. What actually mattered was the friction inside the room. Three FOMC members dissented, and not over some technical disagreement. They wanted the committee to stop pretending its next move is still a cut. They have a point. The "easing bias" language is a holdover from late last year, when the Fed was more worried about the labor market cracking than inflation flaring back up. In December, officials cut rates and talked about calibrating "the extent and timing of additional adjustments." That framing made ...

Rounding Third: Deceit flooding inbox slicker, slimier

Wow! I’ve been spammed and scammed. And this time they made it hurt … whoever “they” are. I’ll probably never know. I shop online from three clothing companies that I have enjoyed for years. I know my sizes, what will fit, and what won’t. Their return policies are accommodating, and I know they will always do the right thing by me. But a few years ago, I made the mistake of buying a sweater from a Chinese website notorious for selling junk. I learned that you don’t have to be especially gullible to be bamboozled by them. They lure their customers with low prices on ...

State needs to provide relief for high costs

“Everything just costs too much right now.” That is what we hear every day from the people we represent. Families feel it at the grocery store. They feel it at the gas pump. They feel it when the electric bill comes in or when they pay for their cell phone service. These are not optional expenses. These are the basics of modern life. When everyday essentials keep getting more expensive, the government should not make it worse. It should look for ways to provide relief. That is why we are working on legislation to establish targeted tax holidays on essential goods and ...

Ice cream fundraiser is reason for excitement

Last month, I found myself standing in Chloe’s Creamery during a fundraiser for what will become the Kinzua Discovery Center. It was a simple idea. Folks created ice cream flavors, people showed up, and the winning flavor, Discovery Tracks, will now be served all summer with proceeds helping to support the museum. I will admit, the chocolate base made it an easy favorite for me. But what stayed with me had very little to do with the ice cream itself. The place was full. Kids were lined up with their parents and grandparents, people were talking and laughing, and for a while you ...

Entrepreneurs help boost regional economies

Have you thanked an entrepreneur lately? If the answer is no, then this is a perfect opportunity as we enter National Small Business Week, May 3-9, 2026. This is my second National Small Business Week as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration; I’m reminded just how much small businesses shape the strength and character of our communities. Across our region, entrepreneurs show up, take risks, and build something meaningful – not just for themselves, but for their employees, their families, and their neighborhood. From rural towns to ...

Rounding Third: It’s not just inflation, it’s the way of life

One topic of conversation among all my friends and acquaintances is the shock of today’s prices – for everything. When I was a kid, I remember vividly that Saturday movies cost 12 cents. Granted, that was 70 years ago, but it was for three cartoons, the Movietone news of the day, two movies, with the continuing serial at the end. Looking back at it now, that was an afternoon’s entertainment for 3 cents an hour. Today it costs me 3 cents every time I sneeze – just for the Kleenex. I bought ginormous Milky Ways whenever I could scrounge up a nickel. Today’s movies cost $8. For ...