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Newspapers, news sites best places for public to access notices

We join the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association and our colleagues across the state in strongly opposing Senate Bill 194, which would give local governments the option of advertising public notices on county or municipal government websites. Rather, recognizing that changes have occurred in both government and the news industry, we support House Bill 1291, which allows for modernization of the process without limiting the public’s access to this critical information. Public notices keep residents informed about planned government action — zoning changes, fee hikes, tax increases, ...

Lawmaker’s efforts to ensure transparency commendable

We appreciate the efforts by state Sen. Cris Dush, R-Pine Creek Township, to address an important issue. “I find it deeply troubling that Pennsylvania’s long-standing (Right-to-Know) law mentions no criminal offense for destroying or altering records subject to a RTK request,” said Dush, chairman of the State Government Committee, according to an article in last weekend’s edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. “Not surprisingly, the rule of law is entirely thwarted whenever government officials or their staff intentionally dispose or suppress records that have been ...

‘Abundance’ is abundantly confused

The hot-selling book “Abundance” is written by liberals who bash liberals, or more precisely, try to make them feel guilty. Sure, authors Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson shed some blame on conservatives for why America doesn’t build as easily as it used to. But it’s those liberals in expensive cities, the authors insist, who are callously driving less-than-rich families to move elsewhere. Klein and Thompson argue that Democrat-run “superstar” cities have failed to provide enough affordable housing because of all their building rules and regulations and pesky zoning ...

Pass ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ then do major reforms

As Senate Republicans turn the One Big Beautiful Bill, passed by one vote in the House, into a major taffy pull, two questions hover in the background. Where is our country headed? Will Republicans retain their razor-thin margins in the House and Senate in 2026? Satisfaction regarding the direction of the country has improved markedly since President Donald Trump took office. In December 2024, per Gallup, 19 percent said they were satisfied. At the beginning of May, this stood at 38 percent. This is the highest satisfaction percent since February 2020, during Trump’s first term, ...

Why Father’s Day still matters

It’s easy to take Father’s Day for granted. The third Sunday in June appears on calendars, marked by backyard grills and last-minute cards, but too often, the day slips by with little more than a quick phone call or a tie wrapped in paper. In a world that moves fast and prizes the new, Father’s Day offers a pause — a reminder that some of life’s most important roles are lived quietly every day and often without thanks. Father’s Day is more than a calendar formality. It’s a day set aside to recognize the men who give shape and steady hands to families and communities. In ...

Civics should be required reading

It’s low-hanging comedic fruit, ripe for the picking by late-night television talk show hosts. Folks out shopping or strolling a city street are stopped at random and quizzed on their knowledge of civics, democracy and American history. An excerpt from an actual interview: Question: “What country did we fight in the Revolutionary War?” Answer: (Long pause) “France!” Question: “What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?” Answer: (After mispronouncing “Emancipation Proclamation”): “I don’t know.” Question: “You’ve heard of it?” Answer: “I have ...