Daily Record

Vol. I No. 146

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

January 24, 2011

Philadelphia

Daily Record

Political Philosopher

AT LUNCHEON at Down Town Club last week, celebrating Benjamin Franklin’s 305th birthday, Gov. Ed Rendell received Franklin Founder Bowl from Penn Nursing School Dean Afaf Meleis, left, and Don Smith, chairman of Franklin Celebration committee and executive director of Christ Church. Participating organizations included 18 organizations founded by Ben Franklin in his lifetime, which are still functioning today.

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Ballard Spahr Welcomes Gov. Rendell as Partner

vocate for accessible and affordable high-quality health care, Rendell created the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform as well as the widely touted “Prescription for Pennsylvania,” which outlined strategies for containing costs while improving care.

Ballard Spahr has announced Edward G. Rendell, who served two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania, is returning as a member of the firm in the Philadelphia office. Gov. Rendell is a former Mayor of Philadelphia, District Attorney and Chair of Rendell is probably best known, the Democratic National Commit- though, for his tireless commitment to economic development. During tee. his tenure, he developed a compreRendell brings significant experi- hensive economic development ence to the firm and its clients na- plan, making targeted and effective tionwide. His practice will focus on investments to help businesses grow public-private partnerships and is- and thrive. Rendell, along with New sues relating to infrastructure, en- York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ergy, the environment, health care, and former California Gov. Arnold and higher education.

Schwarzenegger, founded Building The Governor is widely recognized America’s Future, a national bipartias an adept policymaker who guided san infrastructure-investment coaliPhiladelphia and the Common- tion. wealth of Pennsylvania through unprecedented fiscal distress. He drew national attention as “America’s Mayor,” eliminating Philadelphia’s crippling deficit, balancing the City budget, and generating five consecutive budget surpluses. The renaissance of the City is largely attributed to his determination, inspiration, and energy.

As Governor of Pennsylvania (2003-2011), he drew praise for policymaking that dramatically improved education in the Commonwealth and helped spur economic development. The Governor spearheaded initiatives encouraging the use of alternative and renewable energy. A passionate adTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Rendell will work with all of the Ballard Spahr partners and offices, advising current public and private clients of the firm and forging new client relationships. He will play an integral role in counseling clients in a world in which law, business, and government must adapt quickly to change.

Ballard Spahr, a national firm with more than 475 lawyers in 13 offices in the United States, provides a range of services in litigation, business and finance, real estate, intellectual property, and public finance.

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Casey, Toomey To Sit Together At State Of The Union

Her tenure is historical and her ability to ensure the decorum of City Council was legendary.

In the spirit of bipartisanship, US Sens. Bob Casey (DPa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) announced today they will sit together during the President’s State of the Union Address tomorrow. Democrats and Republicans have typically sat in different sections of the House chamber during the speech.

Casey Discusses Minority Business Development with Small-Business men

“The simple act of sitting together in a normally divided chamber will send an important signal that legislating shouldn’t be about taking partisan sides,” said Casey. “Sen. Toomey and I will sit together as public officials representing all the people of Pennsylvania.”

“I am proud to sit with my fellow colleague from Pennsylvania, Sen. Bob Casey,” Toomey said. “There will be many opportunities for us to work together in the 112th Congress, and sitting next to each other is a small but important step towards setting a civil and cooperative tone for the challenging work ahead of us.”

Philly Courts To Award Pro Bono Attorneys The 1st Judicial Dist. will announce its annual Pro Bono Awards and Honor Roll Induction Ceremony, honoring Philadelphia attorneys who provided free legal service to city residents who could not have otherwise afforded legal representation this afternoon at 4 p.m. in the City Law Library in Room 600, City Hall.

Council President Makes It Official

SEN. BOB CASEY addressed minority business leaders at The Enterprise Center on Friday, aided

by TEC President Della Clark and National Director of Minority Business Development Agency David Hinson.

US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) joined David Hinson, National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, to meet with minority business leaders and small-business owners from Philadelphia on Friday to discuss ways in which Congress and the federal government can stimulate growth of minority businesses in Philadelphia and the Commonwealth. The Senator discussed legislation to protect minority- and womenowned businesses and help them succeed.

Casey said, “Especially in the current economic climate, supporting small businesses is vital to our economic recovery. Today we had a great dialogue on how we can help small and minority-owned businesses by protecting them from fraud and providing support for them to grow and create jobs.”

City Council President Anna C. Verna, the first woman to hold that position in the history of the over 300-yearold unicameral body, made it official at noon today, when she met with the ward leaders in her Council District, to advise them she will not seek another term for “I am very appreciative of Sen. Casey’s efforts on behalf the 2nd Council Dist. in the Democrat May Primary. of the minority business community and his invitation to Her decision opens a floodgate for contenders, all of attend today’s roundtable discussion,” said Hinson. whom had indicated to her they would seek the office “The nation’s minority-owned and -operated businesses only if she did not run. have demonstrated the potential to lead the way for our nation’s economic recovery and expand our footprint in 24 JANUARY, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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the global economy.”

Casey discussed two pieces of legislation he will reintroduce when the Senate reconvenes. The first will prevent contractors from fraudulently adding minority and womenowned businesses to bids without the intention of following through to deliver work to listed subcontractors. The second would authorize funding for the Minority Business Development Agency to provide technical and procurement assistance to minority-owned businesses.

There are over 2,000 minority- and women-owned businesses certified in Pennsylvania.

performed under the subcontract and the dollar amount of the subcontract.

• Failure to notify subcontractors of their inclusion on proposals will result in the following: First-time offense: fine of 20% of the overall contract; second-time offense: fine of 50% and prohibited from seeking federal contracts for one year; thirdtime offense: permanently prohibited from seeking federal contracts.

• Establish a reporting mechanism that allows a subcontractor to report fraudulent activity by a contractor.

The second piece of legislation would establish the Minority Business Development Program to provide techCurrently, prime contractors frenical assistance and contracting quently list minority business enterprocurement assistance to help prises or women business enterprises MBEs. This program will be facilias subcontractors on their bids in tated by the MBDA, under the Dept. order to strengthen their applicaof Commerce, and is the only federal tions, at times without the knowlagency specifically committed to miedge of the MBE or WBE. When a nority business economic developcontract is awarded, the MBE or ment. Specifically, this bill will: WBE is sometimes unaware of their inclusion in the contract and some- • Authorize $200 million over a fivetimes do not receive the business year period for the director of the from that contract. This bill would: MBDA to carry out the technical as• Require subcontractors identified on a solicitation for a competitive proposal made by an executive agency be notified by the prime contractor before the application is submitted. A written agreement between the prime contractor and the subcontractor must be submitted to the contracting officer that includes the identity of the subcontractor, the scope of the work to be 4|

sistance program to provide help to MBEs. This would consist of their business plan, marketing, management and financing counseling.

• Give the director of the MBDA procurement powers for the purposes of providing for the fulfillment of procurement contracts and providing opportunities for qualified minority businesses with regard to such contracts.

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Jan. 24Phila. Tea Party Patriots NW meeting at Kendrick Rec Ctr., 5800 block Ridge Ave. by Roxborough Mem. Hosp. at 7 p.m.

Speakers are Commissioner candidate Al Schmidt and 6th Dist.

Council candidate Sandy Stewart. For info Mike Lodise (2115) 487-0118 or Pat Haraburda (215) 482-7991, or teapartynw@comcast.net.

Jan. 24Rally to reelect Mayor Michael Nutter at Metropolitan Carpenters Union, 1812 Spring Garden St., 2nd fl.

Jan. 24- The Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots Northwest host 7 p.m. meeting at Kendrick Recreation Center, On Ridge Avenue beetween Rector and Roxborough avenue.

Jan. 25- Traffic Club of Phila.’s annual dinner honors James T. McDermott’s Phila. Regional Port Authority as company of year and Jeffrey L. Sustch, Pres.

SMS Rail Lines, as Person of Year at Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Penn’s Landing, 6 p.m. For info www.tcphila.org.

Jan. 26- Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., the Mayor’s Office of Community Service along Wachovia Bank host “Fiscal Workshop” from 4 to 7 p.m. a Kendrick Recreation Center, 5871 Ridge Avenue.

24 JANUARY, 2011

Washington Condemns Failed Oversight Of Abortion Doctor Expressing shock and anger over the gruesome details concerning Dr. Kermit Gosnell’s Women’s Medical Society in West Philadelphia, State Sen. LeAnna Washington is calling for a full investigation of the State and local agencies that failed to fully investigate the doctor and his clinic.

“I was shocked and enraged as the horrific details unfolded concerning Dr. Gosnell’s clinic,” Washington said. “We cannot allow those in charge of inspecting facilities like these to walk away unscathed. There is no way those involved should still be employed by the State or City.”

Dr. Gosnell, who provided abortions for minority, immigrant and poor women, is being charged with killing seven babies who were born alive and one adult female who died as a result of a botched abortion. Before his arrest, there were 46 alleged lawsuits and numerous complaints against him.

hearings immediately, to further in- Joining McGeehan and Waters at the vestigate those agencies responsible podium will be former State Attorney General and current prisoner adfor oversight. vocate Ernie Preate, Angus Love “People need to be held accountrepresenting the Pennsylvania Instiable,” Washington said. “The public tutional Law Project, Andy Hoover deserves answers and transparency of the American Civil Liberties in the process. I echo the grand jury Union and Bill DiMascio of the in stating that race, socioeconomic Pennsylvania Prison Society. status and politics were among the reasons why no action was taken.” Boyle Constituent Office “This is not a partisan issue. Under both Democratic and Republican administrations the Pennsylvania Department of State and state Health Department failed to do their basic duty to protect citizens,” Washington said. “I am calling on Gov. Corbett, the secretary of the Pennsylvania Dept. of State who oversees individual physicians, and the Secretary of the State Health Dept. to step up and offer concrete steps they plan to take to ensure that this is not happening in other places as we speak, and to prevent future failures in the oversight process.”

McGeehan, Waters To Aid Wrongfully Accused.

Washington said she was stunned State Reps. Mike McGeehan (Dthat even the death of a woman did Northeast) and Ronald Waters (Dnot create urgency from those reW. Phila.) will hold a news sponsible for oversight. conference at 10 a.m. tomorrow in “This place was last inspected by the Capitol Media Center to preview State officials in 1993, with no fol- legislation they are introducing that lowup,” Washington said. “Most would create a system by which the frightening of all, there may be other State would compensate individuals doctors and clinics like this that es- found to have been wrongfully convicted, and remove many of the caped oversight for years.” legal roadblocks to having their conWashington is calling for public viction stricken from the books.

24 JANUARY, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Now Open State Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-Northeast) said he has opened a new constituent-service office at 7518 Frankford Avenue.

The office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday. The phone number is (215) 331-2600.

Boyle said his office can assist constituents with information about many government-related services, including financial assistance for higher education, unemployment compensation, state income tax questions; help with applying for Property Tax/Rent Rebate, prescription drug assistance, children’s health insurance and more.

Additionally, Boyle announced he has been appointed to the Finance, Health and Urban Affairs Committees for the 2011-12 legislative session.

“My appointments will allow me to work on my legislative priorities, including safety and landlord issues within the city of Philadelphia,” Boyle said. “I look forward to getting to work.” |

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