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Frustration with property taxes doesn’t justify a higher income tax

We understand the fear and frustration. As Lycoming County and some of its municipalities — including Williamsport — and school districts adapt or weigh the possibility of property tax increases, we recognize the strain and burden higher property taxes place on homeowners. Of course we can reiterate that local governments and school districts need to ask tough questions. They need to find spending cuts. They need to find where services and administrative functions are being duplicated and consider regionalization or consolidation. They — and we — need to remind our state ...

High suicide rate among seniors a tragedy for all

While many people will be enjoying the next few weeks surrounded by friends and family, many of our neighbors will be isolated, especially those in their senior years. This isolation can contribute to depression and other disorders, which in turn can contribute to the rising levels of suicide or suicide attempts among the senior population. A Seattle Times report revealed that Washington seniors 70 and older have experienced an uptick in the number of deaths by suicide over the last few years, while younger age groups have seen a drop in number and rate of suicides. In fact, ...

Budget’s size unmoored from reality

We agree with one assessment of our state budget The Center Square reported on in Tuesday’s edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette: The cost of the new budget is too high. That view, expressed by the Commonwealth Foundation and other conservative organizations and officials, is grounded in simple realities. Pennsylvania has to compete for employers and for families — and in the past decade to two decades, too often comes up short to states with lower tax burdens. Pennsylvania also is confronted by the same reality found across America: the cost of health care continues to be a ...

Cry the beloved European elite?

Nothing bothers the European elite as much as American conservatives praising the European foundations of their shared, but threatened, Western civilization. Europeans especially resent having their social-welfare state system critiqued by upstart, crass Americans. Their pique only increases as they push back against the condescending American idea that the U.S. could possibly offer any constructive advice, much less help a more civilized Europe follow the “American model.” Americans, in turn, are worried that Europe is not just stagnating but is on a trajectory of permanent ...

Praise given to handwritten Christmas cards

We’ve all come to dread checking the mail. And not just when property taxes are due. Most of the year, the only post we get is bills, which are depressing, or advertisements, headed straight for the trash. Our mailboxes, once filled with interest and promise, have become a breeding ground for junk. Once a year, that changes. Yes, each day’s haul overflows with glossy printouts and holiday gift guides, but they’re also stuffed with photos and letters from friends and loved ones, a return to the joyful nostalgia of those days when the mail was our primary means of ...

This holiday season, support your hometown businesses

Tens of millions of Americans will do most, if not all, their holiday season shopping with giant online retail operations this year. They will argue that it is more convenient or safer for them to do so rather than patronize local brick-and-mortar stores. Now, Fort Dodge will soon become home to one of Amazon’s last-mile delivery stations. The massive building is being constructed now. This is great news for the future of the community, but it is no reason to give up on the existing local retailers. Local retailers, from mom-and-pop specialty shops to the big-box stores, rely on ...