GOP Gobbling Up Berks Political Map

The lone Democrat representing Berks County in Congress would be pushed outside Berks borders, allowing three Republican congressmen to take larger chunks of Berks and a fourth to extend his district into the county.

That picture became clear Wednesday when maps and district descriptions began circulating in advance of an expected vote on them by the state Senate.

Dr. G. Terry Madonna, a political analyst and professor of politics and public affairs at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, described the plan as artful and skillfully drawn to protect incumbents. 

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=352919

Phoenixville 2012 Property Taxes Skyrocket 19 Percent

Phoenixville’s 2012 $7.6 million budget includes a 19 percent tax increase.  Part of the reason for the tax increase is the debt service on an $8 million bond to build a new borough hall.  Many residents oppose this measure stating bad timing due to the economy.