Today's News

For all his huffing and puffing about principle and concern for the American people, Sen. Arlen Specter, now known as a Democrat from Pennsylvania, serves as only the latest in a long list of sad examples of what Washington D.C. is all about — preserving one’s own power.

Last week, the House passed the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2009, which would create new protections for consumers facing excessive credit card fees, sky-high interest rates, and unfair, incomprehensible credit card company agreements. I voted in favor of the bill. In addition, the House passed with wide bipartisan support an amendment I wrote that would require credit card companies to have a 6-month minimum period for promotional rates, or “teaser” rates, which primarily target college students.

    My column on Lori Berenson, the young American woman held prisoner in Peru, received a rather vicious and judgmental response from my conservative colleague on this page.

    Instead of calling him “doctor,” as I have in the past, I think he should be called Judge John Barnhart, because he surely sat in severe judgment of this young woman.

Bedford City Council will consider a request by city staff to increase personal property taxes in the upcoming 2009-2010 budget to help offset funding decreases in other areas.

    City Manager Charles Kolakowski presented the staff’s working budget to council Tuesday night, which includes the proposed personal property increase, but no increases in the electric rate, the water and sewer rates or the real estate tax rate.