Give lawmakers’ pay to worthy causes
Pennsylvania senators and representatives should have their pay and benefits forfeited until there is a budget! It’s over 100 days and no budget! The forfeited money should be given to no-kill shelters, food banks, etc.
James Bowser
Allentown
Natural gas isn’t data center solution
Gov. Shapiro thinks natural gas is an “environmentally sustainable” way to power the massive data centers being proposed in such numbers across the state that they would strain the grid. He favors converting coal-fired power plants to natural gas, creating a new generation of fossil fuel power plants that would provide power directly to data centers.
Shapiro has no evidence to support his belief. Thousands of peer-reviewed studies, government reports and media investigations have shown that natural gas is anything but a sustainable solution. Drilling and fracking have adversely affected the health, safety, environment, quality of life and economics of communities throughout the shale fields.
The methane that leaks during production, transportation and distribution of natural gas is exacerbating the climate crisis. Hundreds of thousands of abandoned wells that dot the state add to the leaks “beyond the grave” because they have never been properly plugged or their plugs have deteriorated.
The science is clear. We need to transition to renewable energy as swiftly as we can. It is past time for Gov. Shapiro, our legislators and regulators to stop partnering with the industry to find new ways to market natural gas and lead the transition we desperately need.
Karen Feridun
Kutztown
The writer is the co-founder of Better Path Coalition.
Medicaid helps poor improve their lives
Recent New York Times articles described the repercussions of discontinuing programs under Medicaid that were making profound improvements in the lives of fragile recipients. One article specifically talked about families in North Carolina who have been affected by cuts to the programs. In one case, a mother of two children with medical needs received nutritious food, which reduced one of her son’s trips to the emergency room. Those food deliveries have now ended. In another case, a grandmother caring for three grandchildren was dealing with her own health problems when she stopped receiving food boxes. A second article described the threat to family-planning clinics that provide comprehensive health care to underserved communities.
Medicaid programs have been providing those living in poverty a chance to improve their lives. And yet the GOP megabill that Congress passed is expected to cut about $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade, resulting in a projected loss of benefits to 8 million people by 2034.
Why would Congress not only protect Medicaid, but also even expand its benefits to more people? It’s the humane and effective means to give those living in poverty a chance to not only survive, but also help them achieve a better quality of life.
Marianne Phillips
Allentown
Hodges, Peischl are among best supervisors
I strongly support the return of Monica Hodges and Chris Peischl to the South Whitehall Board of Commissioners because their belief in transparent participative government, moderate growth and concern for community safety in the face of high-density development are principles I feel are most important for any local government official.
The present board has accomplished much. It has completed, with full citizen participation, a 10-year comprehensive plan for township growth. Board meetings are live-streamed and a welcoming environment has been established for those in attendance. The attitude is “citizens first.” The township website has been vastly improved and includes current events and advisories, recordings of past meetings, township financials and departmental information. It’s built “to serve” us, the citizens. A very responsive, citizen-oriented township manager was hired and, most recently, after an extensive search, a well-experienced chief of police was hired.
As one who has followed township activities and board meetings for nearly the past decade, my view is the board team is among the best we’ve had. I am voting for Monica Hodges and Chris Peischl to return to that very effective team. You might consider doing the same.
David Burke
South Whitehall Township
Trump deserves Nobel Peace Prize
President Theodore Roosevelt received the Nobel Peace Prize for having negotiated peace in the Russo-Japanese war in 1904-05.
The war in Gaza was far more complex. President Trump, by dogged determination and negotiating skills, deserves the Nobel Peace Prize!
Harold J. Goldfarb
Allentown
Voting to retain justices protects rights in Pa.
Our courts in Pennsylvania have done a good, nonpartisan job of protecting Pennsylvania. This has always been a nonpartisan position, based on facts and case law. Voting “yes” on the judge retention vote protects our voting rights, women’s rights, human rights, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the freedoms we enjoy in Pennsylvania.
Why would anyone want to take away these protections? We deserve experienced judges, who are, in fact, “term limited” by age. Sitting judges are not allowed to campaign. Our judges have done an admirable job in stopping partisan gerrymandering.
The “vote no” campaign is being funded by a group of extremely wealthy individuals. Voting “no” would leave us with vacancies for these positions for two years, crippling our courts at all levels. All of us need the court system to protect us as individuals.
This “vote no” plan would take the power of the courts away from the people of Pennsylvania and enable wealthy donors to campaign for judges who will side with corporations and other wealthy individuals. I don’t believe the people of Pennsylvania want to give unbridled control of the state to a few billionaires.
William Finamore
Hanover Township, Northampton County
FBI director’s priorities aren’t on ‘real threats’
The Trump administration has closed a federal investigation into border czar Tom Homan, who was allegedly recorded accepting $50,000 in cash from an undercover FBI agent in what would be considered a sting operation. FBI Director Patel said federal law enforcement needs to focus “on real threats to the American people, not baseless investigations.” Mr. Patel, how is the U.N. escalator investigation coming along?
Jim Altenbach
South Whitehall TownshipELECTION LETTERS
Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the Nov. 4 general election must be received by 10 a.m. Oct. 27. Election-related letters will not be published after Oct. 30.
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.