It’s business as usual at budget time in Harrisburg

A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them.

DART: It’s July 1. So do you know where your state budget is? They think they have a deal in Harrisburg, though no one seems quite sure how they’re going to pay for it. Business as usual takes on a whole new meaning this time every year on the Susquehanna.

DART: To Republicans in the Legislature. They control both the House and Senate. They actually expanded their majorities in recent elections. But even they can’t seem to agree on a way to balance the state’s budget.

DART: Yes, we are on a roll with these budget Darts. Once again Pennsylvania is poised to tap into the be-all and end-all for every financial crisis in the state. Hey, let’s expand gambling. Now they’re putting video gaming terminals in bars and taverns. How many rent checks do you think will get washed down the drain?

LAUREL: To Gov. Tom Wolf. At least he had enough common sense not to go down the same road he traveled with his first two budgets. He nixed those calls for across-the-board increases in the state sales and income taxes. Didn’t seem to help all that much.

DART: To road rage. Be careful out there. Before you confront another motorist, realize you just don’t know how some people are going to react. It’s still hard to believe a promising young teen’s life could be snatched away by a man with a gun who was in fullon road rage.

LAUREL: To the life of Jack Hontz. The longtime music director in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District passed away last week, leaving a gaping hole in the school community. He – and all of that sweet music – will be incredibly missed.

LAUREL: To the huge spike in jobs tied to the burgeoning natural gas business in the state. A report this week said 6 million jobs will be added to the Pa. economy by the natural gas industry.

DART: None of that has managed to ease the growing concern in the community that this is not something that should be going through residential neighborhoods or schools. Don’t look for this argument to be settled anytime soon.

LAUREL: To state Sen. Tom Killion, R-9, of Middletown. He’s proposing using some of the impact fees on gas drillers be used for safety programs in communities affected by the pipeline plans.

DART: Of course, Republicans in Harrisburg remain for the most part dead set against a possible extraction tax to help ease the state’s fiscal woes. This despite the fact that Pennsylvania is the only major gasdrilling state that does not do so.

DART: To the lowlifes who ripped off the equipment used by the Chester Township Cougars Athletic Association. Vandals destroyed thousands of dollars of equipment, and stole some other stuff. Nice.

LAUREL: As usual the community is rallying to the kids’ side. They’ve already set up a fund to replace the damaged and stolen equipment.

DART: To the two young women who have triggered what amounts to a twowomen crime wave in Upper Darby. They’ve robbed a couple of cabbies at gunpoint, and even more egregiously roughed up and ripped off an 86-year-old woman. Let’s hope police get this gruesome twosome off the streets soon.

DART: To the Baker family of Chester County. Barry Baker Jr. is the guy charged with sucker-punching a cerebral palsy victim in a video that got national attention. This week his father, Barry Sr., was one of 46 people arrested in a drug and opioid sting termed “Operation Wildfire.” And to top it off, Barry Jr.’s fiancee was charged this week with helping him during his two weeks on the lam from law enforcement.

LAUREL: To the HEADStrong Foundation. They are preparing to open their second facility in Swarthmore. The stately old home will become a haven for caregivers of cancer patients who are in the region getting treatment. Welcome to the neighborhood!

LAUREL: To the muchneeded message that was delivered to more than 200 who attended a vigil in the fight against addiction last weekend in Upper Chichester. They heard something from Brandon Novak that is not often stated in this argument. There is hope. Novak is a professional skateboarder and actor. He also is a recovering addict. It can be done.

LAUREL: To the county for expanding their drug drop-off program. The county rolled out its mobile drug collection unit. It will be used at community events, fairs and other gatherings, offering a safe way for citizens to dispose of unwanted or unneeded prescription drugs. Too often these drugs cause problems when they are abused or get into the hands of people who don’t need them.

LAUREL: To Marcus Hook Borough. Happy 125th! The borough celebrated with a big party last week and heard from no less than native son, former mayor and U.S. Congressman Curt Weldon, who reminded everyone that it’s the people the ‘The Hook’ that make it so special.

LAUREL: To the Springfield firefighters who went above and beyond recently in rescuing a dog that had become trapped under a large log from a downed tree. One firefighter, Bob Tracy, even laid down with the pooch to offer it comfort. Unfortunately, the dog had to be put down because of a variety of ailments.

DART: To William McKinlay. He’s the Philadelphia resident who was stung by the Delco D.A’s office after he allegedly tried to set up a sexual tryst with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl. If that’s not bad enough, he tried to pass himself off as “Dirty Old Santa.” Nice.

DART: To the Phillies. They keep making the same dumb mistakes, giving every indication that they just don’t seem to care all that much. This is a lineup in need of a major shakeup, but for some reason the team’s brass just doesn’t seem interested in doing it. Maybe when they realize that fans aren’t interested in watching this team, the message will be delivered. How many people do you think are going to be in Citizens Bank Park come late August and September.

LAUREL: On the other hand, there’s the Sixers. They now have added another No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft to their lineup. Markelle Fultz will join Ben Simmons in a star-studded lineup, if the team can ever get them on the floor at the same time. And the fans have noticed. The team has announced it has sold 14,000 season tickets and expects all home games next year to be sold out. Trust the process.