Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 15 (175)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

March 4, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

All Fired up

ACROSS PHILA., scores of candidates for municipal office are pumping up their supporters at meetings and social events – in order to get those all-important ballot signatures. This young political enthusiast at Diego’s Tavern in Bridesburg last night was letting the world know he’s backing Bobby Henon in his try for 6th City Council Dist. in May 17’s Democratic Primary.

Recession Makes State Revenue Estimates A Guessing Game

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Many states including Pennsylvania are making larger and more frequent errors in their revenue forecasts, a new report says.

The Pew Center on the States finds that half the states overestimated their revenues by more than 10.2% in 2009. Pennsylvania overshot its figure by 11%.

Study researcher Steve Fehr says sales-tax revenue became an especially difficult number to pinpoint as the recession started. “Consumers stopped spending and decided to pay off debt, so the normally reliable revenue they had from sales tax not only dropped, but they couldn’t guess from month to month how it was going to be.”

The Pew report covered more than two decades worth of revenue forecasts, Fehr says. Historically, Pennsylvania has been among the most accurate states.

“If you make an error rate of 1% to 2%, you’re doing pretty well. Over the 23 years, Pennsylvania’s was under 1%, which was one of the best numbers.”

Fehr says states with diversified tax revenues generally have more accurate forecasts. They’re also well served by investing in topnotch financial personnel.

“Gosh, they need all the help they can get with revenue, so it’s good to have a shop that can come in fairly accurately on the forecasts.”

Some states are trying to do a better job by refining their process, Fehr says. Some have taken steps to make sure lawmakers don’t portray the figures too optimistically, especially in election years. Others are doing revenue forecasts more frequently. Pennsylvania announced this week that it collected $1.5 billion in general-fund revenue in February, which is $21 million or 1.3% less than anticipated.

Catholic Group Asks Gov. Corbett To Quit Corporate Tax Cut Last week, Gov. Tom Corbett implemented a tax cut that will largely benefit Pennsylvania’s wealthiest corporations. The Center for Budget & Policy Priorities estimates that these tax cuts will cost the State of Pennsylvania $833,000,000 for the 2010 and 2011 tax years combined. The Governor’s decision comes at a THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

time when Pennsylvania is facing a $4 billion budget deficit. Pope Benedict and the Catholic bishops have long stressed economic policy decisions must serve the common good.

In response to Governor Corbett’s decision, Fr. Jack O’Malley, a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh 4 MARCH, 2011

and labor chaplain for Pennsylvania, issued the following statement: “At a time when Pennsylvania families will be asked to make historic sacrifices in order to balance the

state’s $4 billion budget deficit, Gov. Corbett is rewarding his campaign supporters with an $833 million tax break. If Gov. Corbett were serious about building an economy that serves the common good, he would reverse this misbegotten decision.”

Fattah Commends Nutter For ‘Tough Calls And Smart Choices’ On Budget Congressman Chaka Fattah (DPhila.) issues the following statement concerning the Budget Address delivered yesterday by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter: “Mayor Nutter continues to make

the tough calls and smart choices on behalf of Philadelphia and its citizens. Today’s FY 2012 budget and five year plan delivered to City Council reflect the realities of our these lean economic times, especially with the expiration of Recovery Act funding. His priorities

ring true: more police, more resources for firefighting, the courts and prosecutors, additional support for literacy, neighborhoods and young people. Mayor Nutter is to be congratulated for his focus and leadership at Philadelphia’s helm.”

Hughes To Hold ‘Show Me The Money’ Conference On Financial Aid’ High-school students, along with their parents, are encouraged to attend Show Me the Money: the Road Map to Financial Aid for College to assist with the complex issues that arise when seeking money for higher education.

There will be on-site scholarship search, an essay writing clinic, step-by-step financial aid preparation for college, electronic FAFSA filing, free income tax preparation for financial aid and open access to finan-

cial aid administrators from various colleges and universities.

Parents are asked to bring all pertinent documents including 1040s, W-2 forms, social security numbers, 1099 forms and all other tax related information to assist with the filing and completion of financial aid forms.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Tamica Tanksley at (215) 879-7777.

‘Spies, Traitors And Saboteurs’ Come To Constitution Center From the burning of the White House in 1814 to the tragic events of Sep. 11, 2001, Americans have contended with enemies within our borders since the founding days of the republic. Visitors will uncover these stories of espionage, treason, and deception in Spies, Traitors & 4 MARCH, 2011

Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America, making its Philadelphia debut today at the National Constitution Center and running through May 30, 2011. Created by the International Spy Museum, the exhibition dramatically illustrates the challenge of securing our nation THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

without compromising the civil liberties upon which it was founded.

“Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs is certain to thrill visitors with stories of intrigue and inspire them with our nation’s resilience,” said National Constitution Center Presi|

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Mar. 10St. Patrick’s Day Parade Luncheon & Sashing of Grand Marshal at Doubletree Hotel, Broad & Locust Sts., 12 m. Tickets $50.

RSVP Kathy McGee Burns (215) 872-1305.

Mar. 10Cocktail Party for Traffic Ct. candidate Fred Mari at American Pub, 1500 Market St., in Center Sq. Bldg., 5-7:30 p.m. Donation $50. For info Mark (215) 9909352.

Mar. 10Fundraiser for Controller Alan Butkovitz at Vesper Club, 226 S. Sydenham St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Donation $500. For info (412) 721-9489.

Mar. 10South Philadelphia Business Association annual Scholarship gala at Galdo’s catering, 20th & Moyamensing Ave., 6-10 p.m. Honoring DA Seth Williams, and Row Home magazine’s Dawn Rhoades and Dorette Rota Jackson. For info (215) 336-1108.

Mar. 10State Sen. Anthony Williams hosts foreclosure-prevention workshop at Ezekiel Baptist Ch., 5701 Grays Ave., 6-8 p.m.

Mar. 11Sen. Bob Casey, John Dougherty and others host St. Patrick’s Day Toast at Finnigan’s Wake, 4rd & Spring Garden Sts., 6 p.m. Contributions $35/person, $60/couple, $250/sponsor. RSVOP recommended. For info rsvp@bobcasey.com.

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dent and CEO David Eisner. “We think the exhibition stimulates dialogue about how we can defend our country while also protecting the individual rights and freedoms that are at the heart of our democracy.”

threatened by enemies within its borders, Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs depicts how responses to domestic attacks have driven counterintelligence measures that continue to affect our everyday lives. Events include:

“It’s a particularly poignant experience for me to return to Philadelphia, my home and ‘The Cradle of Liberty,’ with SPY’s high impact traveling exhibition, Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs,” stated Karen Corbin, COO of the International Spy Museum.

American Helps Japanese Pilot Terrorize Hawaiian Island After Pearl Harbor Attack – Dec. 7, 1941

To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, visitors are invited to enjoy special weekend events from today through Sunday, Mar. 6.

Throughout opening weekend, visitors will learn how hidden messages, invisible ink, and code names were used by an elaborate spy ring during the American Revolution, as part of “The Culper Ring” show in the Grand Hall Lobby. This interactive program explores the story behind the spy ring organized by Benjamin Tallmadge under the orders of General George Washington in order to track the actions of the British troops. From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., children and their families can visit special activity areas to find out if they have what it takes to be a spy. From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., guests can create their own spy gadgets such as cipher wheels and invisible ink. In connection with Women’s History Month, the Center also will offer a special program about American women involved in espionage.

Through major events and periods in history when America was THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Kremlin Launches One of the First Cold War Attacks Against the U.S. - April 1945 Radical Group Explodes Bomb in the US Capitol – Mar. 1, 1971 Massive Bomb Destroys the Federal Building in Oklahoma City – Apr. 19, 1995 Beyond Sep. 11 - Terrorism Today Artifacts, interactive displays, and themed environments accompany these stories. Highlights include: Burnt piece of the White House (1814), on loan from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. [Exclusive to the Center’s showing of Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs.]

Anarchist Globe Bomb (replica, ca. 1886) presented as evidence in the trial of the men tried in connection with the Chicago Haymarket riot.

APL Badge and ID Card (1917) carried by Operatives of the American Protective League who spied on their fellow Americans on behalf of the US Justice Dept. during World War I. Ritual Klan Red Robe (ca. 1965) worn by the Klan “Kladd”, the elected Klan officer who presided over the secret rituals and cere4 MARCH, 2011

monies of the Ku Klux Klan.

Glass and granite fragments from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, as well as a shoe that was recovered from the wreckage, on loan from the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. [Exclusive to the Center’s showing of Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs.]

Fragments of the Planes that hit the World Trade Center (2001) recovered after the attacks on Sep. 11, 2001, and used as evidence by the FBI in their ensuing investigation.

Visitor Polling Stations, unique computer interactives that allow visitors to express their opinions on questions raised in the exhibition about how the nation has responded to the historical events presented. Poll questions were developed in consultation with The Gallup Organization. Visitors also can see how Americans responded to similar questions posed by The Gallup Poll throughout history.

Admission to Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors (ages 65 and up) and students, and $11 for children (ages 4-12). Active military per-

4 MARCH, 2011

sonnel and children ages 3 and under are free. Group rates also are available. Admission to the Center’s core exhibition, The Story of We the People, including the award-winning theater production “Freedom Rising”, is included. For ticket information, call (215) 409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.

In keeping with the Center’s mission to foster discussion and citizen engagement, evening programs about current and historical topics related to Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs will take place throughout the run of the exhibition. In advance of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Center will present a discussion on the nation’s shared pain and patriotism on that tragic day, as well as our national response and the issues it continues to raise. The Center also will conclude its two-part series titled “What is national security?” with 2010-11 Visiting Scholar Richard V. Allen, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and former National Security Advisor.

Additionally, the Center’s education and public programming staff in the Annenberg Center for Edu-

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

cation & Outreach has developed a variety of resource materials and interactive activities to further augment the exhibition, including “Spy Talks” with real-life members of crime-fighting and counterintelligence agencies, educator workshops, a special student guide that teaches students how to gather intelligence and decode important information on their way to becoming secret agents, and more.

Fox 29 is the official media partner of Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also participating.

The International Spy Museum, the only public institution in the world dedicated to presenting the world history of espionage, features the largest permanent collection of international spy-related artifacts on public display.

Through interactive exhibits with state-of-the-art audiovisual effects, film, and hands-on components, the Museum traces the evolution of espionage through the people who practiced the profession and it provides a context for guests to better interpret the role intelligence plays in current events.

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