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Our opinion: State plan spending too much

Our editorial board’s position likely will not come as a surprise. A state budget proposal that, for the first time in history, spends more than $50 billion is irresponsible. As the Associated Press notes, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal increases spending over the previous year — a budget that itself, we argued, was reckless in its spending increases — by nearly 10%. This year’s proposal would spend billions of the state’s reserve, leaving Pennsylvania less prepared for any economic downturn — and would spend those billions even if the Republican-controlled Senate agreed ...

Our opinion: Does budget help our county?

Gov. Josh Shapiro views his 2025 budget proposal as necessary to keep Pennsylvania “on the rise.” “Each of the last two years both Democrats and Republicans have voted for commonsense budgets that solve real problems,” Shapiro said from the House speaker’s podium before a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday. “We’ve moved the ball down the field and put points on the board – and we should celebrate that. But we should be hungry for more.” The budget is certainly hungry for more - $3.6 billion more, to be exact. But is the state actually rising? That’s ...

Editor’s corner: County needs to lead charge on renewables

Across the border, Chautauqua County legislators decided to take a bold stance in late January. In voting at the monthly meeting to oppose the placement of wind turbines in Lake Erie, members in attendance were unanimous in their sentiment. State Sen. George Borrello was in Mayville that ...

Our opinion: Orders sidestep compromise

Our concerns about the second Trump Administration’s executive actions on immigration are twofold: First, the White House should employ a greater focus on illegal immigration specifically and, second, executive orders violate the principles of our republic. As we noted in our editorials during the Biden Administration, executive orders circumvent the process in ways that poorly serve the public. Sweeping proposals such as Biden’s student loan forgiveness plans or Trump’s plans on immigration, as we wrote about the former in August of 2022, “should go through proper, ...

Our opinion: Pursue medical marijuana safety

Legislation backed by state Rep. Kathy Rapp creating more oversight of the state’s medical marijuana program should receive consideration soon in the state Legislature. Bill sponsor Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Pittsburgh, said House Bill 33 would give the state Department of Health the authority to oversee the labs that currently test marijuana products to determine their contents and safety to consumers. The goal, said Frankel, is to ensure product integrity by establishing oversight through audit testing, quality assurance testing, data transparency and inspections. Reports the past two ...

Our opinion: Pursue medical marijuana safety

Legislation backed by state Rep. Kathy Rapp creating more oversight of the state’s medical marijuana program should receive consideration soon in the state Legislature. Bill sponsor Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Pittsburgh, said House Bill 33 would give the state Department of Health the authority to oversee the labs that currently test marijuana products to determine their contents and safety to consumers. The goal, said Frankel, is to ensure product integrity by establishing oversight through audit testing, quality assurance testing, data transparency and inspections. Reports the past two ...