THE GUARDIAN: Coastal populations put about 8m tonnes of plastic rubbish into the oceans in 2010, an annual figure that could double over the next decade without major improvements in waste management efforts, scientists warn. The mountain of plastic litter, including bags, food packaging and toys, was equivalent to five full shopping bags of debris […]
An even more healthy PA
PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL: …By all accounts, Corbett’s complicated alternative program ran into glitches from the get-go. For example, according to an account in the Inquirer, drug-and-alcohol treatment and mental-health patients were locked out of treatment centers because of glitches in the new system. Other red tape and system problems began to emerge almost immediately […]
Dems to counter state store privatization plan
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE: …House Republicans this month plan to pass a bill to sell the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board stores and system to generate an estimated $1 billion for the state. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, said he anticipates Gov. Tom Wolf will introduce liquor store modernization proposals. “It’ll be more a conversation of […]
Ukraine ceasefire deal agreed at Minsk talks
THE GUARDIAN: … Russian president Vladimir Putin was the first to announce the deal, saying: “We have agreed on a ceasefire from midnight 15 February.”… [French President François] Hollande said the deal covered all the contentious issues, including border control, decentralisation, and the resumption of economic relations, but also warned that much more needed to […]
Part 1: Pennsylvania judges make million dollar pay grab
If old judges are so wise, why can’t they clean up Pennsylvania courts?
By Bill Keisling
World Leaders Meet in Belarus to Negotiate Cease-Fire in Ukraine
NEW YORK TIMES: …The Ukrainian leader repeated a few of Kiev’s central demands, which underscored the gulf between its position and that of Moscow. Ukraine endorsed decentralization but not federalization, he said, noting that the separatist regions could be granted rights similar to those in autonomous communities in Russia. In Moscow, Sergey V. Lavrov, the […]
The “Big Three” Monument in Crimea
Since the fall of Communism no new monument of Stalin has been erected in any part of former Soviet Union. Erecting a monument to Stalin was especially protested by Crimean Tatars. By decision of the Stalin’s leadership in 1944 the entire Crimean Tatar People was deported from Crimea on charges of collaboration with the German occupiers.
Mother of man imprisoned 30 years: ‘This day is more than 10,000 days overdue’
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: …Cook County State’s Attorney’s Anita Alvarez said in a news release that “newly developed evidence” prompted the decision. Her Conviction Integrity Unit investigated his claim of innocence in the rape and stabbing of Kristina Hickey, a Rich East High School sophomore whose body was found in the bushes outside a Park Forest shopping […]
Gov. Tom Wolf outlines 5 percent tax on natural gas drilling
In addition to the 5 percent tax on the value of the gas at the wellhead, the proposal would charge producers 4.7 cents per thousand cubic feet of volume. It would include some exemptions for gas given away for free, extracted from low-producing wells and wells brought back into production.
PA Gov. Tom Wolf says he’ll push for passage of state minimum wage hike to $10.10 over two years
WILLIAMSPORT MORNING CALL: Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday that passage of a higher minimum wage in Pennsylvania is one of his priorities in the current legislative session. Wolf said he backs a bill sponsored by Rep. Patty Kim, a Dauphin County Democrat, to boost the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour over […]
Should 75 be the new 70 for when judges lose their jobs? Pa. House wants voters to decide
“It makes sense to have a cut off since older judges are most at risk of becoming incompetent,” Marks said. “Setting a specific age for retirement reduces the need for discipline that embarrasses judges and threatens public confidence in the courts.” …
The Act of Rigorous Forgiving
NEW YORK TIMES COLUMN: There’s something sad in Brian Williams’s need to puff up his Iraq adventures and something barbaric in the public response. The sad part is the reminder that no matter how high you go in life and no matter how many accolades you win, it’s never enough. The desire for even more […]
Complicated Politics of Medicaid Expansion Are Playing Out State by State
NEW YORK TIMES: In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf, a newly elected Democrat, is scrapping his Republican predecessor’s conservative approach to expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Mr. Wolf said this week that he would instead pursue a straightforward expansion of the government health insurance program for the poor, no longer charging premiums or limiting benefits for some enrollees.
LETTER: Veterans with post-traumatic stress deserve access to medical marijuana
Millions of veterans across the country are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other wounds of war. But doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs are not allowed to help them seek medical marijuana, even in states where it’s legal. Now you have a chance to help us fix this. Urge your member of […]