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‘Invent Penn State’ spreading wings

Within the current state budget cycle, governors across the country are investing more heavily in higher education. This is encouraging to those of us who firmly believe that colleges and universities have the power to elevate individuals, as well as society overall.  Progress is born from innovative ideas, diverse perspectives and access to the right resources.  Multiple studies have borne out the influential role that entrepreneurship has in economic development, the standard of living in a country, innovation that opens doors to new markets, and ...

Liquor privatization: Half full or empty?

The debate on HB 2272 has started. Should Pennsylvania get out of the business of selling liquor, essentially going with private wholesalers and retailers. As the statewide political voice for family-owned taverns, bars, and licensed restaurants, it has raised a question within our membership. What would the new liquor world look like in Pennsylvania if HB 2272 were to be successful? For these small business establishment which supply tens of thousands of jobs supporting our state and local economies, it’s a question that seems to have more questions than answers. The ...

I really do love my brothers, but …

Are you one of those people who grew up with several siblings, some of whom others used to confuse you for when you were out and about. I was, and still am. But can I first say how much I love my sister, Cindy, and my brothers, John and Tom. My sister has a heart of gold, and would drive up from her home in Warriors Mark to help you at a momentás notice. Now she might get lost on her way to Hollidaysburg, even with a GPS on her phone and in her car, but hey ... that’s for another column. And what can I say about my brothers? Both were outstanding athletes in high school and ...

Gun advocates push at capitol

The General Assembly moved forward this week with a bill that would punish local governments for passing their own gun regulations, while some municipalities move to firm up their own pro-gun policies. This week, a Senate committee passed a bill that would leave municipalities on the financial hook for legal challenges to their own gun restrictions. The bill, introduced by Rep. Matt Dowling, R-Fayette, is cosponsored by dozens of his GOP colleagues. State law already restricts local governments’ ability to pass their own, tougher gun regulations. Despite that, as Dowling noted in ...

State’s school funding inadequate

For decades, Pennsylvania lawmakers have shunned their responsibilities when it comes to school funding, severely shortchanging many school districts. The result is grave inequity that has affected generations of students and produced rising local tax rates for property owners asked to fill the widening financial gaps caused by a negligent General Assembly in Harrisburg. In a trial that is now kicking into high gear, a group of petitioners from across Pennsylvania is challenging the state funding system in Commonwealth Court. These petitioners, represented by the Education Law ...

An appeal for Sandusky’s retrial

A decade ago, a reporter for the Harrisburg Patriot-News revealed the investigation of a prominent Penn State assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky. The headline read: “Sandusky faces grand jury probe.” The story came through an unlawful and probably purposeful leak of grand jury material. A few months later, on Nov. 4, 2011, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG) released its presentment, accusing Sandusky of sexual contact with eight boys. The presentment also charged two PSU administrators with failure to report child abuse, child endangerment, and ...