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Musicians, singers hit right notes to make districts and beyond

For high school students throughout the Juniata Valley, music is more than a song played on the radio or sung in the shower. It’s something that pour their hearts and souls into for years, practically dutifully for hours just like an athlete playing basketball or football. They hone their craft as youngsters and, for those who stick with it, are put to the test when they reach high school band and chorus by competing at the district, regional and state levels. This year’s series of festivals are underway as many district concerts were held over the past few weeks. The lucky few ...

Lawmakers should address energy policy — not judges

A court in New Jersey has — correctly, in our view — dismissed a lawsuit state officials were attempting to bring against a number of the country’s larger oil companies. As the New Jersey Business and Industry Association notes, the ruling notes both state and federal precedent that the courts are an inappropriate venue for furthering wide-ranging climate change policy. The ability or risk that judges in one state could hinder the ability of private companies to develop and produce a critically valuable resource in all 50 states has thankfully been averted. Critics of “fossil ...

Make this Valentine’s Day count

Valentine’s Day. A day awash in red roses, heart-shaped boxes, and whispered sweet nothings. A day designated for love. But what is love, really? And why do we need a commercially-driven holiday to remind us of its importance? Love, in its purest form, is not a fleeting emotion. It’s not a commodity to be bought and sold. It’s a choice. A commitment. A quiet understanding that transcends the everyday. It’s the hand squeeze across the dinner table, the shared laughter over a silly joke, the silent support during a difficult time. It’s in the mundane, the routine, the ...

Too many municipalities stretch funding

All of Pennsylvania has too many Municipalities. West Alexander sits on the westernmost edge of Washington County, a stone’s toss from the West Virginia line. A fair happens nearby, the town has an undeniable charm and it’s steeped in history — if you stroll around its cemeteries, you’ll find stones that have been there for two centuries. West Alexander had been a borough up until 2009, when financial woes led it to shed that status and join up with surrounding Donegal Township. Now, however, some residents have experienced buyer’s remorse and, 16 years later, would ...

It’s time for Harrisburg to just get the budget done

Gov. Josh Shapiro laid out a plan for cooperation in his budget address last Tuesday. Heading into his third budget negotiation, he outlined priorities that might be consensus builders between his Democratic Party and the Republicans on the other side. He talked about seniors. He talked about kids. He talked about building up the state more as a business leader. He talked about supporting firefighters and police officers. All of those are the kinds of baby-kissing, check-presenting opportunities politicians love for a photograph. But not all of the topics on his list were popular on ...

Tariffs tangle with U.S. Constitution

The taxing power in the federal government resides in the Congress. The Constitution states that Congress has the power to “lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts” of the federal government. Indeed, in order to emphasize the location of this power in the Congress, the Constitution also requires that all legislation “for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.” So, if only Congress can impose taxes, how can the president impose tariffs? Here is the backstory. However one characterizes a tariff, since it consists of the ...