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What really threatens Fed’s independence

Concerns about the Federal Reserve’s independence have grown following repeated attacks by President Donald Trump, including this week’s decision to fire Fed Gov. Lisa Cook based on questionable allegations. But this debate is too narrowly focused on the president’s political pressure, ignoring a growing danger in our system. It is true that since the Treasury-Federal Reserve Accord of 1951, the Fed has had operational independence -- the ability to set interest rates day-to-day -- without any obligation to make government borrowing cheap. But it never had true economic ...

Shining bright in the world’s spotlight

To the locals, the two Little League World Series (LLWS) weeks in August can sometimes feel like a month, and in another instant it’s just that: an instant. The teams are here and gone, victorious and less victorious, filled with enough memories to fuel an 11- and 12-year-old’s dreams for a lifetime. But they aren’t the only ones making memories! Behind the scenes there are the employees of Little League who work year-round to make the event possible, the volunteers coaching and umpiring, working the fields, and helping at the complex during the series. There are people like my ...

SEPTA, Shapiro, House Democrats own budget stalemate

The Pennsylvania budget is, once again, late. Budget negotiations have come to a standstill over one issue: bailing out the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). So, who is derailing negotiations? Who is to blame for this political stalemate? Unfortunately, we have several culprits. First and foremost, the budget impasse started with Gov. Josh Shapiro. Last year, Shapiro diverted $153 million in federal highway funding to SEPTA, forcing millions of Pennsylvanians to subsidize trains and buses they’ll never ride. And though the governor claimed that this would ...

Israel — and the world — face a ‘Catch 22’

It is disquieting to sip one’s morning coffee with the constant roar of jet fighters overhead. Even the birds do not fly, apparently taking refuge from the roar overhead. The pigeons and the doves seek quiet under the eaves of rooftops and on windowsills until the noise quiets down. Where are the jets going? What is their mission? Are they training for the inevitable and frequent wars which Israel must fight for its survival? Are they on a mission against Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, or some other enemy who has sworn to murder all Jews and Christians in the Middle East? Later on ...

Electric bills too high? Bad energy policies are to blame

Hot enough for you? If this muggy Pennsylvania heat doesn’t have you sweating, your monthly electricity bills will. Power usage surged during recent heat waves, pushing electricity demand “to its highest level in 14 years,” according to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. This power surge, the commission concluded, will “soon be reflected in monthly electric bills.” But there’s another issue these higher electricity bills reflect: bad energy policies. Pennsylvania has abundant energy resources (e.g., natural gas, coal, nuclear, etc.). However, an unfortunate ...

Unsung heroes of Pennsylvania’s conservatism

Eileen Cunningham is a mother of four and grandmother of three with another on the way. The wife of “Goose” Cunningham -- when you are from Hazelwood, everyone has a nickname -- possesses the unique quality of bringing people together to form communities. How? The natural athlete coached girls’ hockey, track and field, cross country and basketball at the school her children attended when no one else stepped up. An engineer by trade, a substitute teacher by design, she also coached coed soccer and even cheerleading at the same school district. If your child has ever ...