by KYW's vice president and general manager David Yadgaroff
In the midst of the tumult surrounding this year’s high octane presidential campaign, it’s very easy to lose sight of the fact that other names are on the ballot. They represent positions that can have a more immediate and even greater impact on our daily lives than the occupant of the White House.
The president, whoever he is, has a whole country to worry about. But he isn’t much in tune with the day-to-day lives of people here in the Delaware Valley. Or things like putting up cash to fix beaten highways, the daily sales taxes that are paid every day, aid for local schools, and long sought after property tax relief.
That’s the job of state lawmakers, many of whose offices are also on the line. In Pennsylvania there’s the shadow of indictments in the “Bonusgate” probe (see related news stories). There’s been controversy over the impact of targeting Democratic leaders in Harrisburg, while any possible Republican mischief won’t get public attention till after election day (see additional related stories).
In New Jersey there are serious budget issues that affect everything from highways and bridges to crippling property taxes (additional related story). They will be decided in Trenton, not Washington.
So while it is important to stay up to speed on presidential campaign issues, it may be more important in the next few weeks to get a crash course on local candidates, their positions, and their records.
To submit a comment or reply to this editorial, send an e-mail to yadgaroff@KYW.com.
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