Tax Cuts

charlestown@herald-mail.com SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.VA. - Calling for action similar to a "civil rights movement," an economist who spoke at a forum on Social Security this week at Shepherd University told about 100 people Monday night to get angry over what the federal government is doing to the retirement program. Allen W. Smith has been critical of President Bush's plans to privatize Social Security and is calling attention to the way the federal government is handling Social Security funds.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The presidential nominations for the major parties have been sewn up, but Republican voters in Franklin County still will have several choices to make in the April 27 primary, including challenges from within the GOP to an incumbent U.S. senator and congressman. First elected in 1980, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter faces a challenge for his fifth six-year term from U.S. Rep. Pat. Toomey, R-15th, who was among the candidates who addressed 360 party faithful Monday night at the Franklin County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner.

ANNAPOLIS - Local lawmakers were encouraged by Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening's optimistic State of the State address Wednesday, although some took issue with specific ideas for child-proof guns and minimum wages for school building contractors. cont. from front page "It was written for the future, the millennium. He set a high tone for the state of Maryland," said Sen. Donald F. Munson, R-Washington. Munson and other lawmakers were heartened to hear Glendening underscore his long-held objectives for education, including $1.2 billion to build and renovate higher education facilities over the next five years.

By GUY FLETCHER Staff Writer ANNAPOLIS - Lawmakers kicked off the Maryland General Assembly's annual 90-day session Wednesday with much of the typical first-day air of celebration replaced by a restrained mood and some partisan fighting "It's a little more subdued than it usually would be because of the (Sen.) Larry Young thing," said Sen. Donald F. Munson, R-Washington. Despite an ambitious election-year agenda that likely will include debates over tax cuts, Pfiesteria, school funding and health care, the Young saga was the focus for much of the day, highlighted by a protest by hundreds of his supporters in front of the State House.

The bus used to launch U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster's re-election campaign stopped in Chambersburg Friday so the freshman GOP congressman could make a speech and collect signatures to get his name on the ballot. Shuster needs the names of 1,000 registered Republicans across the district on his petition. He represents the newly reapportioned 14-county, 9th Congressional District which he said "runs from the Youghiogheny and the Susquehanna rivers and everything in between. " Shuster was elected for a one-year term in a special election in May. He succeeded his father, U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster, who resigned weeks after his re-election to a 14th two-year term.

"To the Presbyterian Church that wants to relocate. Why are you thinking about leaving such a beautiful church? The $1.2 million you're going to get, why don't you use that to build homeless shelters for people or feed the poor? Right in your own town. God doesn't need a new church, you can worship in your own home. Pray for those people, go out and speak with them, that's your duty as a Christian. Go into the world and help others. Most people know about God, but do you know God?" "I live on Independence Road and I would like to say thanks to the two men who cut down the tall grass at the end of Independence onto Rockdale.

Letters to the Editor 4/23 Not another Shuster To the editor: It is not new. Factories around the area are laying off. Timeless historic landmarks are leveled and turned into parking lots. Residents are fleeing the area for better opportunities. But now is our chance to demand a better area. For the first time since Rep. Bud Shuster's nomination in 1973, the 9th District has a chance to be represented by a compassionate knowledgeable, issue-oriented candidate.

We're used to seeing charities coming hat-in-hand to government, but now it's possible that a local government may start showing up at the doors of city charities looking for a handout. This ought to be good. The City of Hagerstown says its budget is so tight that it may explore ways to wring more money out of the local tax base, 21 percent of which is tax-exempt due to nonprofit status. So if you see city finance director Al Martin standing in a soup line at the Community Action Council, he doesn't want the broth, he just needs a couple of bucks to buy a gallon or two of diesel fuel for the city fire engines.