Month: January 2018

After all the last-minute politicking and outcry over the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the tax overhaul bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last month, it quietly went into effect earlier this week.  There still are many American asking what the tax changes will mean to them.  On Wednesday’s Smart Talk, we look at a few of them.

The initial iterations of the law had many in the home buying and building industry concerned that the elimination of property tax and local and state deductions could hamper home sales.  The final wording of the bill offered some relief for both builders and buyers.  On Wednesday’s Smart Talk, we discuss the impact the tax overhaul could have on regional home sales with Todd Umbenhauer, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors.    We’ll also speak with Sherry Labs, president of the Pennsylvania Tax Collectors Association to clarify the rules regarding pre-payment of 2018 property taxes to deduct from 2017 taxes; what the federal, state and local laws are for people looking to squeeze one more deduction into April’s filings.

The prison riot at New York state’s Attica prison in 1971 is considered one of the nation’s worst.  Thirty-nine men, including eight hostages, were killed when state police stormed the prison to retake it from inmates.  It’s taken 46 years but Heather Ann Thompson has written the definitive account of what happened at Attica in her book Blood in the Water.

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On the Tuesday January 2nd, 2018 edition of WITF’s Smart Talk:

On the first edition of Smart Talk in 2018, we would like to talk to you, the listeners, about the issues and discussions you want to hear this year.  Many of the topics from the past year will continue into 2018.  We are committed to shining a spotlight on the region’s opioid crisis, legislative re-districting, the impact of the state’s natural gas boom, the #MeToo sexual improprieties movement, the tenor of political and civil discourse and topics in the news in both our communities and around the world.

The year 2017 will be remembered for issues that had a great impact on the lives on Americans and Pennsylvanians.  The first year of the Trump Administration brought with it a significant change in direction for the country and its policies — changes that generated sometimes loud and passionate discussion.  Can the pace of bombshell news continue in 2018?  Already, the president has accused Pakistan of taking billions of dollars in American aid without helping in the fight against the Taliban and terrorism.

Politics will be a big part of our reporting and Smart Talks in 2018.  Pennsylvania has a gubernatorial election, Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey is up for re-election and so are all the members of Pennsylvania Congressional delegation as well as the entire state House and half the Senate.

Often the media was taken to task by President Trump and his supporters.  One of the charges was that some journalists were out of touch with news consumers.  Tuesday’s Smart Talk is the perfect opportunity to identify the issues and stories important to you.

Host Scott LaMar will be joined by WITF news director Tim Lambert to discuss both the stories on the horizon and take your phone calls and emails on what topics and stories you would like to hear on Smart Talk this year.

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