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Tony Auth archives | tauth@phillynews.com

Take the deal on sick pay: Inquirer editorial: Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Gov. Christie seem close to ending the ill-advised, multimillion-dollar sick-time payouts to government employees.
Can solve voting's flaws without requiring ID: A national survey showing flaws in voter record-keeping offers further proof that Harrisburg and other Republican-run state capitals pushing to require government-issued photo identification to vote are ignoring a glaring problem while battling virtually nonexistent voter fraud.
Success amid crisis in Chester: The Chester Upland School District's budget crisis has been national news, partly because of underlying fears that a similar fate could befall other districts struggling with reduced local tax revenues and eviscerated state budgets. While the focus on what went wrong in the district is understandable, we shouldn't overlook what's working in Chester.
Letters to the Editor: Smart people and family planning Many things in Karen Heller's column "What? Birth control? Again?" (Sunday) are false and offensive, but the claim that the Catholic Church endorses "the rhythm method, which is contraception for stupid people," takes the prize.
A few win, many lose in foreclosure deal: Watching the country's biggest banks, 49 states, and the federal government stumble toward a $25 billion mortgage foreclosure settlement brought back memories: Just like the 1998 Big Tobacco deal, this is a complex agreement with many moving parts. And just like the tobacco settlement, it's far more than a legal matter; it's a grand spectacle built around money, politics, and lots of heated rhetoric.
Gas drillers' new Wild West: Pennsylvania's long-awaited Marcellus Shale legislation, signed by Gov. Corbett this week, reflects an approach to managing the state's resources that is reminiscent of the Wild West-style energy extraction of the late 19th century.
Dredging is a step closer: Inquirer editorial: The federal budget may fund an effort to make the Delaware River more accessible to big barges.
Camden schools show need for NCLB overhaul: The failure of the federal No Child Left Behind education law can be easily seen in the Camden public schools, where 76 percent of the students scored below proficient in language arts, and 69 percent did so in math.
Letters to the Editor: Evolving problems with pipelines Hats off to The Inquirer for investigating pipelines in Pennsylvania ("Loophole limiting pipe inspections," Sunday)! Problems with unregulated and unmapped pipelines in rural areas of our commonwealth are complex and evolving.
Defending and defaming faith: The Obama administration is requiring health insurers to cover contraception, even for employees of Catholic institutions that are opposed to the practice. Most of the Republican presidential candidates have characterized that as an assault on the cherished American doctrine of religious liberty. Rick Santorum recently accused the president and others of trying to "marginalize faith," going so far as to suggest that American Christians are on their way to the guillotine.
One Great Idea: Jerry Blavat: Jerry Blavat talks about the importance of being neighborly to help reduce violence in Philadelphia.
Fumbling budget to score political points: Gene Sperling's sports metaphors collided so often during the White House budget rollout, it's a wonder the man didn't pull a hamstring.
Corbett to state: Pick your poison: Gov. Corbett's new budget proposal makes drastic cuts to state funding for education and other services while attempting to shroud them in false claims of more flexibility for local communities.
Down payment on housing fix: The $25 billion settlement among 49 state attorneys general, the Justice Department, and five major banks to compensate victims of wrongful foreclosures is a small but significant step toward easing the housing crisis.
Memorable singer, and a cautionary tale: Inquirer editorial: The story is familiar. Beautiful, talented singer, actor, and dancer, and on down the list, succumbs in a tragic likely accident that may have involved drug abuse.