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Closing pay gap needs to happen more quickly

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” — The Declaration of Independence Two hundred and forty-eight years after those words were written, equality in America is still an illusion in so many ways – most notably on payday. Sixty-one years after the federal government passed the Equal Pay Act of 1963, women in America are still left behind on payday – even after the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 tried to make things more equitable, we’re still fighting for a simple issue of fairness for all women. It’s hard to imagine that in ...

Fighting government secrecy

Politicians in Harrisburg come and go, and political majorities shift over time. But one enduring constant no matter who’s in power is a reflexive inclination to shield information from the very people who pay the bills — we, the taxpayers. Our state and local governments exist to serve our communities. We pay our taxes each year, and in return, we the taxpayers have a right to know what our government is doing, how it’s spending our money, and whether we’re getting the services we deserve. But there are fewer and fewer journalists on the front lines, keeping government honest ...

Some Democrats push back against extremism

In a sign of how far left the Democratic Party has veered, once-avowed progressives are now hesitant to embrace eco-fundamentalism — the dogmatic ideology that vilifies affordable energy, oversells “green” initiatives and advances ruinous policies. Consider Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.). They’re both loyal, party-line Pennsylvania Democrats. But they’re also politicians who know which way the wind is blowing with the American people. So they broke ranks with President Biden on his liquid natural gas (LNG) export ban. “If this decision puts ...

Schools need to be wary of political leanings of programs

An event took place last week that is of grave concern to me and should be of concern to every parent whose children (primarily 7th & 8th graders) attended a play at the Community Arts Center entitled Mad River’s “Keep on Marching”. According to the C.A.C. website, the event was sponsored by UPMC. I cannot critique the play because I did not see it. Its focus was to be on the Martin Luther King Jr.-led 1963 March on Washington. The speech Dr. King gave at that event has become one of the most recognized and beloved speeches in American history. Arguably, its most well known line ...

Congress must act to protect police

It’s never been more dangerous to be in law enforcement. In Pennsylvania and across the nation, ambush-style shootings of officers have become all too common. On Feb. 6, 2023, McKeesport Police Officers Sean Sluganski and Chuck Thomas responded to a domestic incident. While appearing to be walking away, the assailant suddenly turned and shot both officers, killing Officer Sluganski and seriously wounding Officer Thomas. On June 17, 2023, Pennsylvania State Trooper Jacques Rougeau, Jr., was supposed to be off, but put on his uniform and went to work when his station was attacked. ...

Maryland puts grid to the test while Pennsylvania pays bill

Last year, the Maryland General Assembly announced plans to reduce its output of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions 60% by 2031. The Climate Pollution Reduction Plan was sold as a roadmap to achieve near-term climate goals and a path to reach net zero emissions by 2045, setting the tone for environmental and energy decision-making throughout the state. The problem with this roadmap is that it leads to nowhere but disruption to the reliability of our electric supply and a higher cost to all ratepayers, including Pennsylvanians. Yes, Pennsylvania ratepayers will pay part of the costs generated ...