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What other newspapers are saying: Narrowing tax base would be a self-inflicted progressive wound

Editorials

One of the most consequential trends in American politics is that Democrats are increasingly discovering what Republicans have known for decades: Voters don’t like taxes. Now the gubernatorial primary in California has become an experiment in how far tax cuts might take a Democratic politician in one of the country’s bluest states. Katie Porter, one of the most progressive legislators during her six years in Congress, is running for governor and polling in the middle of a crowded field. To boost her languishing campaign, she has proposed eliminating state income taxes — for ...

Williamsport home rule — good or bad?

Other Commentaries

Recently, I received on Facebook a lobbying effort by current City Council members concerning Home Rule for the City of Williamsport. In the 2026 Primary Election to be held May 19th, city voters will get to vote on a government study Commission. Some of the members of that Commission have already revealed their views, notwithstanding that not a word has yet been written by the Commission. According to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, the state Department of Community and Economic Development has made a recommendation that the city pursue the creation of a Home Rule Charter for the ...

Can candidates deliver on jobs?

Editorials

Pennsylvania was third in the nation for job growth in 2025, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While nearly one-third of states saw a year of losses in 2025, from December 2024 to December 2025, Pennsylvania gained more than 76,000 jobs — a 1.2 percent increase year-over-year, compared to a 0.4 percent increase nationally. That’s great news if you live near one of the state’s urban areas, but doesn’t mean much in a lot of rural counties. Within the year’s growth, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh ranked as two of the top U.S. metro areas(opens in a new ...

Who does Thompson serve?

Letters

Voters across Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District are dealing with rising costs, shrinking health care access, and growing uncertainty about the future. Yet Congressman Glenn Thompson seems focused on something else entirely. Thompson wants another term representing this district. We shouldn’t re-elect him to a job he isn’t doing. His record shows he represents the interests of wealthy donors and large corporations—not the people of central and northern Pennsylvania. Too often, he’s out of touch with the concerns of the people he was elected to serve. Last week, ...

Not meeting the definition

Letters

Our two U.S. Senators and Representative must believe their constituents are stupid. Each took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, yet all three do nothing to secure the right and legal obligation of Article I section 8 clause 11 which mandates that only Congress has the power to declare war. In the past few days I have heard them describe what is happening in Iran as an excursion, kinetic activity and conflict.They refuse to utter the word “war” because their inaction will become obvious.War is defined as “a state of armed conflict between two different nations” ...

Transparency plays key role in realizing America’s values

Editorials

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” James Madison, our fourth president, made this powerful observation more than 200 years ago. As Pennsylvania Sunshine Week comes to a close, it is worth reflecting on. Our nation, now approaching its 250th year, was founded on certain goals — the creation of a society in which public affairs are conducted with the consent of the governed, in which decisions are made by men and women chosen through democratic means by the ...