William Lawrence Sr. Omnbit 3-6-15
It takes seven hours to build an igloo.
Day: March 6, 2015
Transition Town Media Free Store
Peg Degrassa of Delaware County News Network has a great story about the Transition Town Media Free Store in the The First United Methodist Church of Media, 350 W. State St. Media, Pa. 19064. 
Everything is free. The store run by non-profit Transition Town Media circulates items donated items to those who want them without charge.
It’s a great way of getting rid of useful items that are just taking up space and doing some socializing.
Mentioned in the story are Julie DiRemigio, a founding member, and volunteer Kate Rainey who is sometimes a commentator here.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 12 to 5 p.m., Saturday; and 12 to 4 p.m., Sunday. Drop off donations during open hours only.
Transition Town Media Free Store
Wolf Budget Costs Family Of Four $1419
Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal expands the size of government and shrinks the size of your wallet.
The governor argues that his property tax relief plan would offset the brunt of these tax hikes, but this relief is delayed until 2016-17. In the meantime, the state will collect higher taxes and retain those funds.
Should Gov. Wolf’s property tax plan pass the General Assembly, there’s no guarantee school districts will stop raising property taxes. Even if local governments did manage to hold the line on property taxes, Pennsylvanians would suffer a net tax increase of $4.3 billion in the 2016-2017 budget.
These tax hikes will grease the wheels for record levels of spending. Under Gov. Wolf’s plan, true General Fund spending in 2015-16 would reach $31.6 billion (Governor Wolf moves $1.75 billion in school pension payments to a new fund, which makes the General Fund increase appear smaller). This amounts to the largest spending increase in 25 years.
Of course, the General Fund is only a portion of Pennsylvania’s total operating budget. If each of Gov. Wolf’s proposals were enacted, Pennsylvania’s total operating budget would surpass $78.6 billion—the highest spending level in the commonwealth’s history.
Unsustainable spending growth and tax increases have been the prevailing trend in Pennsylvania since the 1970s. As a result, Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom in job, income and population growth. Governor Wolf’s proposals would accelerate this trend despite evidence of its harmful consequences.
There is a better alternative.
We need to grow the economy by limiting government. This means unleashing innovators and protecting working families—not weighing them down with higher taxes.
For a detailed look at the budget visit here.
Bob Dick is a Policy Analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives.
Wolf Budget Costs Family Of Four $1419
Ethanol Mandate Repeal Sought By Toomey
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has announced that the is working to repeal a law that drives up the cost of everything from gasoline to groceries. 
“Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and I introduced the bipartisan Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015 to abolish the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” he said.
“The RFS requires fuel suppliers to blend millions of gallons of biofuels – most often corn ethanol – into the nation’s gasoline supplies,” he said. “This results in higher gas prices, increased food costs, damage to car engines, and harm to the environment. This is nothing more than the government using corporate welfare to shower money on a favored industry and then send the bill to the general public. You deserve better.”
The mandate is strongly supported by Iowa farmers and presidential candidates notably avoid opposing the issue in that early primary state.
Guess we know Pat’s not running for president.
Ethanol Mandate Repeal Sought By Toomey
Food Drive For Needy
Due to the continued hard economic conditions, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 100 S. Penn St., Clifton Heights, Pa. 19018 is having a Spring Food Collection for the needy through Sunday, March 29. 
Those wishing to donate any canned or boxed, non-perishable food items should bring them to the Church on any Sunday before or after the 11 a.m., English Divine Liturgy.
Please help if you can!