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The illusion of Marcellus Shale gas’ economic benefits

In a recent story titled, “Marcellus Shale Coalition President Assesses State of Gas Industry”, The Sun-Gazette reported that, “While the MSC is based in Pittsburgh its ties and economic benefits for the county and its operators are unquestionable.” Actually, the economic benefits Lycoming County derives from the shale gas industry aren’t just questionable, they are at best meager and may not even offset the damage the industry does done to quality of life in the county. The only measure by which Lycoming County is prospering since the start of the shale gas boom is that ...

Which states are leading on wage growth?

Newly released data shows that two out of the top three states for average hourly wage growth in the nation are in our region. This is good news for consumers when considering regional purchasing power. Montana came in with the second-highest increase in the country, just behind Kentucky. In 2024, the Treasure State had an average wage of $27.96, and in 2025, that number rose to $29.27. Its top private sector industries include health care, retail trade, and construction. Companies are continuing to make the move from states with high regulatory burdens to states like Montana that ...

Changing my mind about the filibuster

It’s not often you hear someone in D.C. admit they were wrong, let alone horribly wrong — and the entire Democratic Party was, including me. When Democrats had the presidency and a majority in both chambers, they were frustrated with the 60-vote threshold needed to advance legislation. Senate Democrats attempted to end the filibuster to push through President Joe Biden’s agenda — an effort I fully supported during my 2022 campaign. Halfway through my first term, I now recognize how important the filibuster is and the state our country would be in without it. I thought ...

How Pittsburgh became the early alarm bell for the DSA’s rise

PITTSBURGH -- The rise of the Democratic left in Pittsburgh did not happen overnight. It was built over years through patient organizing, disciplined recruiting and a clear-eyed focus on the races that mattered most: low-turnout primaries where entrenched power was vulnerable. Mik Pappas’ 2017 race for Pennsylvania’s 31st Magisterial District judge offered an early hint that the local Democratic establishment was losing its grip on some of the contests it had once taken for granted. He was underfunded, openly aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America and not expected to ...

Why we can’t have nice things

No matter the subject, Donald Trump contends that he knows more about it than anyone ever. He refuses to listen to those with degrees in the subject or who have worked in that field for years. He has said that when making a judgment, he listens to himself. Whether it’s the reflecting pool or the Iran war, he knows best. The downside to that is when something goes wrong, there’s no one else to blame, which actually hasn’t stopped him from scapegoating others. The Trump effect is best described as the “un-Midas touch”. The White House rose garden is now a cement patio. The East ...

What you need to know about the budget deal

Pennsylvania’s 2026–27 state budget deal is an improvement over Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reckless proposal, but it still spends too much and leaves taxpayers facing an even larger long-term structural deficit. The general fund budget spends nearly $52.2 billion—counting $1.3 billion in Medicaid costs shifted to next year. That would be more than $1 billion less than Shapiro’s original $53.3 billion proposal, but still far above a fiscally responsible spending path. Shapiro’s proposal would have increased spending by billions, raised taxes, relied on $4.6 billion from the Rainy ...