Letters to the Editor | May 25, 2025

The forever promise of Republicans has been that tax cuts would generate so much economic growth that the government would take in more dollars than it would have through increased taxes. They do not even pretend that this claim has ever proven to be true, and now they are just pushing to make Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent because … well, actually, they do not even give a make-believe answer anymore. The 2017 tax cut was labeled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and it was supposed to pay for itself with increased taxes from all of the growth. It did not happen. All it did was add at least $1 trillion to the deficit, and now they acknowledge that the 2025 version will add a few trillion dollars more to our national deficit. Party of fiscal prudence and restraint? Absolutely not.

Tom Taft, Chalfont

It is outrageous that so many actions of the Trump administration are plainly illegal, and that members of the administration are suggesting the illegalities continue and court orders to the contrary be disregarded. Republicans in Washington should consult the Constitution. Article II, Section 3 says that the president “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” Article I, Section 8 says, “The Congress shall have the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States or in any department or officer thereof.” These two sentences make it plain that the president is to be the servant of Congress, which is the servant of the people. Congress must take steps to end the lawlessness.

Curtis Hoganson, Downingtown

When I moved to Philadelphia in 2018, I was recovering from injuries resulting from being hit by a car by a reckless driver. After that, I no longer drove a vehicle. There are folks like me who cannot drive. SEPTA is how we get to live our lives. It is unthinkable and frightening to me that our public transportation system is at such great risk, when so many rely upon it to get to work, school, medical appointments, access to food, shopping, places of worship, recreation activities, and more — all social determinants of health that contribute to healthy individuals, families, and communities if available.

Quality, affordable, and reliable transportation is a bedrock amenity for our communities. I ask our elected officials from both sides of the aisle in Harrisburg to work toward a permanent funding solution for SEPTA. And in this moment, provide the funding needed to prevent the proposed fare hikes and drastic service cuts. These cuts will be catastrophic for everyone in our region, even those who do not think they will be affected. They need to think again.

Janice Tosto, Philadelphia

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