John Baer

John M. Baer is a graduate of Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland, holds a Masters Degree from Temple University, is a former Fellow of the American Political Science Assn. in Washington, under whose auspices he studied at the Brookings Institution and worked a year in Congress, and a Fellow of the Loyola University School of Law's inaugural Journalist Law School program in Los Angeles. The National Journal (in 2002) called Baer one of the country's top 10 political journalists outside Washington, saying Baer has, "the ability to take the skin off a politician without making it hurt too much."

Read John's blog Baer Growls
Latest post: Watch out for Wagner - 9:15am
Email John at baerj@phillynews.com

A poor excuse for justice

12:17am

A growing gap in legal aid needs to be closed for the sake of equal justice.

JESSICA GRIFFIN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Ron Castille is drawing criticism from a grassroots organization.

Grassroots group wants Castille gone

05/19/2013

Can an age issue and past controversies undue the state's chief justice?

Just one thing about politics 05/14/2013: John Baer: I've got an idea. I'm calling it "The One-Thing Rule." It works like this: Every year, our Legislature focuses on only one thing.
Memo to Guv: A 5-part comeback plan 05/13/2013: Although things look bleak, there’s time and opportunity for Gov. Corbett to win re-election.
Pa. pension-pain problems 05/08/2013: John Baer: Gov. Corbett, with his leadership in question and his job approval in the tank, promises basic societal collapse if he doesn't get his way on pensions.
Pa. gifts that keep on giving 05/05/2013: Public officials don't need gifts; a ban would help build public confidence.
Pa. gifts that keep on giving 05/05/2013: Public officials don't need gifts; a ban would help build public confidence.
Welcome to the jobs numbers game 05/01/2013: John Baer: Politicians, including embattled, poll-suffering Gov. Corbett, always promise jobs, tout jobs or point to jobs as evidence of leadership. So even 18 months before the guv is on the re-election block, those seeking to unseat him are pointing to state job numbers.
Pa. government reforms? Whaddya expect? 04/29/2013: While some reform measures actually pass the Senate, the big reform picture still looks bleak.
Meet the Pennsylvania gun club 04/24/2013: John Baer: Pro-gun activists seek further Second Amendment protection right here in the Keystone State.
Can good government gum things up? 04/22/2013: Ending earmarks and pushing “fiscal responsibility” may prevent progress.
Is Pa. traveling to the Promised Land? 04/17/2013: John Baer: Finally, we have an ambitious, comprehensive, mind-blowingly expensive transportation plan, or I should say, another one.