Vol. II No. 12 (173)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
March 2, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
Who’s Got The Money?
YESTERDAY, CONGRESS’S General Accounting Office reported there are hundreds of duplicated federal programs which collectively costs taxpayers billions.
Corbett Appointments Stay West Gov. Tom Corbett continues to be western oriented as more and more appointments to his Administration continue to favor other areas of the Commonwealth rather than the Southeast. Among the latest is William K. Lieberman, of Squirrel Hill, who has been named chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
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“It’s more important than ever to focus on operating efficiently,” said Lieberman, 63, in a statement after he was named chairman on Tuesday. Lieberman, appointed to the commission in May, is president of The Lieberman Cos., an insurance and pension provider. A State Senate panel approved the nomination of C. Alan Walker to head the State Dept. of Community & Economic Development. Walker, 66, of Clearfield County, was Corbett’s first Cabinet nomination. His nomination now goes before the full State Senate, which must approve it with a majority vote. He is charged with helping to attract and retain businesses in Pennsylvania and providing support to develop and enhance communities.
Casey: After Senate Voted To Block Congressional Pay During A Shutdown, House Should Follow Suit U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Cal.) today lauded the Senate’s unanimous vote to pass their legislation that would prevent Members of Congress and the President of the United States from being paid during a shutdown of the federal government.
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“This is an important step for fairness that should also put more pressure on those threatening a government shutdown that could cause pain for millions of Americans,” said Casey. “The House should quickly pass this legislation.” Boxer said, “If we fail to keep the government operating, which is our basic responsibility, then we don’t deserve a paycheck. I am hopeful that this legislation will help convince our colleagues not to shut down the government, and I urge Speaker Boehner to quickly pass this bill.”
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Republican leaders have refused to take the threat of a government shutdown off the table, even though a shutdown would affect the lives of millions of Americans by disrupting Social Security checks, benefits for THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
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veterans and paychecks for our troops. The legislation would prevent Members of Congress and the President from being paid retroactively after a government shutdown, and would also prevent them from being paid if the public-debt limit is reached and the government defaults on its financial obligations. Currently, Members of Congress and the President are treated differently from millions of other Federal Employees because they are paid through mandatory spending required by law (2 U.S.C. 31 and 3 U.S.C 102) rather than through the annual appropriations process.
The legislation fixes this inequity by saying that the President and Members of Congress “shall not receive basic pay for any period in which there is more than a 24 hour lapse in appropriations for any Federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution OR if the Federal Government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the debt limit … has been reached.” The bill, S 388, was introduced in the Senate earlier this month by Boxer and Casey. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, where Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) has introduced a similar bill.
Sen. Kitchen Warns Of False Flyer About Parole State Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-N. Phila.) warns the public a flyer is circulating through the prison system with erroneous information involving parole eligibility for prisoners with life sentences. The flyer states “Support Sen. Shirley Kitchen’s bill for parole eligibility for Pennsylvania lifers.” It also states that the flyer was paid for by Mahanoy Residents Betterment Organization. Although Kitchen is a long-time advocate of alternative sentencing
and second-chance legislation for non-violent ex-offenders, she has not introduced a measure involving parole eligibility for prisoners with life sentences. The Senator has received numerous letters from prisoners and their families from across Pennsylvania regarding the information on this flyer. “I want to set the record straight for the prisoners and their families who are receiving this false information because they deserve the
truth,” Kitchen said. “I am very concerned about prison overpopulation and ensuring justice for all, but I have not written any legislation involving prisoners with life sentences. “But rest assured, I am working on second-chance legislation that would provide more-efficient and effective ways to help nonviolent ex-offenders gain post-incarceration employment, rent apartments, obtain mortgages and other opportunities that would improve their quality of life,” she said.
Tartaglione Bill Alters Local Share Of State Police Fines A bill designed to boost State Police training efforts while creating a fairer funding system passed a key Senate committee, said State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Kensington). 2 MARCH, 2011
SB 237 will redirect millions of dollars collected in fines toward cadet-training efforts, while municipalities that provide less than 40 hours of local police coverage would lose their share of fines collected through State Police traffic stops.
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Mar. 2Petition party for Mayor Michael Nutter at W. Phila. YMCA, 5120 Chestnut St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Mar. 3Reception for Council candidate Verna Tyner and Councilman Bill Greenlee at Ceisler Media, 1525 Locust St., 6th fl., 5:30-7:30. For info (610) 271-5365. Mar. 4Happy Hour with State Rep. John Taylor at Head House Craft Beer Café, 122 Lombard St., 5:30-8 p.m. $75/person, $125/couple. For info (215) 5452244. Mar. 6St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraiser at Springfield C. C., 400 W. Sproul Rd., Springfield, Pa., 3-7 p.m. Adults $25, Children $10. Live music and stepdancing. For info Linda Bradley (610) 449-4320. Mar. 7Fundraiser for Councilman Bill Greenlee at Cobre Restaurant, 812 N. Broad St., 5-7 p.m. Donation $100. Mar. 10St. Patrick’s Day Parade Luncheon & Sashing of Grand Marshal at Doubletree Hotel, Broad & Locust Sts., 12 m. Tickets $50. RSVP Kathy McGee ZBurns (215) 872-1305. Mar. 10South Philadelphia Business Association annual Scholarship gala at Galdo’s catering, 20th & Moyamensing Ave., 610 p.m. Honoring DA Seth Williams, and Row Home magazine’s Dawn Rhoades and Dorette Rota Joackson. For info (215) 336-1108. Mar. 10State Sen. Anthony Williams hosts foreclosure-prevention workshop at 4|
“Police coverage is increasingly complex and expensive,” Tartaglione said. “This bill will help ease the coverage complications and financial pressure on the State Police while creating a fairer funding system for all Pennsylvania taxpayers.” Under current law, half of the traffic-enforcement fines collected through State Police patrols in a local municipality are returned to the municipality through a Motor License Fund formula – even if the municipality relies only on the State for police protection. “Taxpayers in hundreds of cities foot the bill for most police services through local property taxes, while more than 1,500 municipali-
ties pay nothing, and get money back,” Tartaglione said. “This puts strain on our most vulnerable communities and tough economic times make it worse.” The bill would deny distribution of traffic-fine revenue from the Motor License Fund to any municipality that does not provide locally for at least 40 hours of coverage per week through its own force or a regional contract. An amendment inserted today exempts municipalities with fewer than 3,000 residents. It passed the Senate Transportation Committee today unanimously. The bill is expected to affect about 1,200 municipalities across Pennsylvania and steer more than $4 million toward State Police cadet training.
Bishop, McGeehan Propose Solution To Sex-Abuse Cases State Reps. Louise Williams Bishop (D-W. Phila.) and Mike McGeehan (D-Northeast) are teaming up to find an avenue to allow criminal and civil action against child sex abusers after the legal statute of limitations has run out. At a news conference in the Capitol Rotunda, the two proposed two strategies to give the victims their day in court. Bishop’s legislation (HB 832) would abolish the statute of limitaTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
tions on both criminal and civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse and McGeehan’s bills (HB 853 and HB 878) would open a two-year window to bring civil suit for victims of childhood abuse whose statute of limitations have expired. “I don’t want this suffering to affect another generation of children, because many adults who were abused as children still carry the torment and suffering caused by these assaults,” Bishop said. “Cutting off the ability of victims to pursue criminal prosecution or 2 MARCH, 2011
civil action against their attackers after a certain age is unfair and allows many criminals to go unpunished.” Bishop, Democratic chairwoman of the House Children & Youth Committee, and McGeehan argued the trauma of sexual abuse to a child is something that can take the
victim years to sort out, and often not until they are adults. “The societal and economic ramifications of childhood sexual abuse cannot be underestimated. We can fill this Capitol building with testimonials,” said McGeehan. “In the end, the betrayal of our children … the angst of parents who didn’t
protect their kids … the erosion of our faith in our institutions … all of it cries out for justice. When victims are ready to speak, their voices should be heard.” State Rep. Ron Waters (D-W. Phila.) also spoke in support of the two measures.
Big Rebate Check For Cheney
CHEYNEY University President Dr. Michelle R. Howard-Vital, 2nd from left, accepts check for $86,903 from Romulo L. Diaz, Jr., PECO VP of governmental and external affairs, far left, and Mellanie Lassiter, PECO corporate-contributions manager, 2nd from right, as part of PECO’s Smart Equipment Incentives. University received rebates as part of its efforts to save energy by installing energy efficient lighting in 23 buildings across its campus. Also pictured is Robert W. Bogle, Cheyney University Council of Trustee. Photo by Martin Regusters, Leaping Lion Photography
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