Cheer

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan all announced that they would work together to research and regulate self-driving and connected vehicles.

The three states vowed to work with transit agencies and universities to form a coalition that will include state departments of transportation, turnpike commissions, and Carnegie Mellon, Ohio State and Michigan universities.

That’s exactly what it’s going to take to shepherd the development and implementation of self-driving vehicles to a safe and productive finish line. There’s much to consider and investigate — from how the vehicles should behave in work zones to how the technology might be applicable for commercial use (think self-driving tractor trailers).

The coalition has a mountain of work ahead of it, but the resulting payoff could change the face of transportation as we know it — making it safer, more economical and more reliable than ever before.

Jeer

In our piece last week on the inauguration, Grove City College Professor Michael Coulter praised the event as a tradition that still dazzles many parts of the world: a bipartisan, peaceful transfer of power that represents the best of American democracy.

It’s a little less bipartisan these days, as droves of Democrats boycotted the ceremonies. That includes four Pennsylvania Democrats: U.S. Reps Bob Brady, Dwight Evans, Brendan Boyle and Mike Doyle. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Rep. Matt Cartwright, honored their pledges to attend the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Casey and Cartwright have the right idea. Trump’s Twitter attack on Congressman John Lewis — the affront which started all this — was ill-advised and flat-out untrue. It wasn’t at all presidential, and amounts to a national embarrassment. Lewis is a hero and a dedicated public servant.

But the correct response to such provocations isn’t to walk out on one of our democracy’s most important traditions. It’s leading by example and projecting strength and unity to Americans and the world.

Everyone’s duty — their privilege — on Jan. 20 was to participate in a tradition that’s bigger than any one political party or person — including the President. Those who walked away from that duty and privilege diminished themselves and the constituents they represent.

Cheer

On Tuesday the Pennsylvania Department of Health stuck to its timeline and released applications for those seeking to start medical marijuana growing facilities and dispensaries. The applications are available online, and interested parties can apply between Feb. 20 and March 20.

But the chance to become one of the state’s few permitted facilities won’t come cheap. Applicants will have to pony up a non-refundable $10,000 application fee, a $200,000 permit fee that will be returned if they’re not chosen, and prove they have $2 million in capital.

Those may seem like outrageous financial barriers that prevent normal people from throwing their hats into the ring, but that’s exactly the point.

The state has an interest in narrowing the potential pool of applicants to groups that have the expertise, money and infrastructure to deliver what will surely be a product in high demand. And despite the strict financial guidelines, DOH officials say they still expect as many as 900 individuals and corporations to apply for the 50 permits state law allows them to issue.

The important thing here is that state officials continue to stick to their timeline, and get these essential pieces of infrastructure up and running as soon as possible, and give patients access to the treatments that will improve their quality of life.