Vol. II No. 21 (181)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
March 14, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
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LABOR AND POLITICS led St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Parkway. Identified in this photo are Register of Wills Ron Donatucci, Dan Savage, State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, Controller Alan Butkovitz, Councilman Frank Rizzo, State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson, Councilman Bill Greenlee, Jonathan Saidel, Judge Kevin Dougherty, State Reps. Kevin and Brendan Boyle, Judge Michael Sullivan and Congressman Bob Brady. More pictures page 2. Photo by John J. Kline
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OPPOSITES ATTRACT: Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, left, shares a green moment with Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley. THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
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Penna. GOP Is Pleased With Corbett’s Balancing Act The Republican Party of Pennsylvania believes it has a winner with its new Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed 2011-12 budget, which closed a $4.1 billion shortfall without raising taxes. RPP Chairman Rob Gleason issued a statement saying the Governor’s budget “symbolizes a significant victory for Pennsylvania taxpayers as he fulfills the commitment to fiscal discipline that Pennsylvania
voters demanded last year.” “The days where taxpayers are forced to dig even deeper into their pockets to pay for increased government spending are over,” he continued, “as Gov. Corbett has stood up and forced our government to live within its means. Gov. Corbett’s fiscally responsible budget empowers Pennsylvania families to better navigate this lackluster economy by keeping
more of their hard-earned dollars in their own wallets, rather than handing them over to the government. “After eight years of more taxes and increased government spending, it’s refreshing to see a leader like Gov. Corbett putting Pennsylvania’s finances back on the right track by putting taxpayers first.”
Casey Calls For Ban On ‘Bath Salts’ US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) is supporting legislation to add MDPV and mephedrone, synthetic chemicals being sold across the country and marketed as “bath salts” and “plant food”, to the list of controlled substances. The chemicals have a similar effect on the body as cocaine and methamphetamines. The dangerous ingredients in the salts, MDPV and mephedrone can be snorted, smoked and injected to receive a deadly high. “There is ample evidence these socalled bath salts are a dangerous substance being used like meth or cocaine,” said the Senator. “Action needs to be taken to get bath salts off the shelf and out of our communities.” There have been numerous reports of bath salts being linked to violent 14 MARCH, 2011
behavior and deaths. An individual in Scranton charged with attacking a priest was reported to be high on bath salts at the time of the attack. The Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act (S 409), introduced by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), would immediately add the ingredients in bath salts to the list of controlled substances. While the US Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration have announced they are currently investigating the effects of the synthetic drugs, this legislation would immediately add the synthetic drug to the list of controlled substances rather than waiting for the lengthy pharmacological research process. MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and mephedrone are the main ingredients of these soTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
called ‘bath salts,’ and are now being sold online, at convenience stores and in smoke shops under names like Tranquility, Zoom, Ivory Wave, Red Dove and Vanilla Sky. According to numerous reports, the chemicals found in these bath salts and plant foods cause effects similar to those caused by cocaine and methamphetamines, including hallucinations, paranoia and suicidal thoughts. The harmful impact of these powders has been recognized around the world and countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Israel have acted quickly to ban these substances. Similarly, several states, including North Dakota, Florida and Louisiana have now banned the sale of these chemicals within their jurisdictions. |
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Sen. Toomey Tours U.C. Science Center
Mar. 12Nat’l Italian American PAC hosts Carnevale at Loews Hotel, 1200 Market St., 6 p.m-12 a.m. Honoring Risa Vetri Ferman, Marc Vetri, State Sen. Christine Tartaglione, and Richard Kryzanowski. Event co-chairs Donna M. Fluehr, Barbara Augustine, and Anthony DiSandro, Sr., Hon. Amato Berardi, PAC Chairman. Mar. 16Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown hosts Rising Stars VIP Reception at 5 p.m. in Mayor’s Reception Rm. & Conversation Hall, City Hall, 5 p.m. Honorees include Cynthia Figueroa, Rebecca Foley, Kat Houston, Cyrstal Jacobs, Nikki Johnson-Houston, Esq., Yian Liu, Florcy Morisset, Desiree Peterkin Bell, Rebecca Quinn-Wolf, Roslynn SampleGreene, Fon S. Wang, and Tia Watson. For info Katherine Gilmore (215) 686-3438. Mar. 17Judge Jimmy Lynn’s Salute to St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast at Plough & Stars, 2nd & Chestnut, 7:30-11 a.m. Tickets at door $25. Mar. 17Public Record invites all to join as it marks its 12th year in existence and its selection of Samuel Staten, Jr., as “Public Servant of the Year 2011” at Galdo’s Catering, 20th & Moyamensing Ave., 6-9 p.m. Expect a merry good time! Open bar, international buffet. For info John David (215) 755-2000 or (267) 259-6654. 4|
This morning, Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) toured the University City Science Center’s business incubator, accompanied by Science Center Chief Executive Officer Stephen Tang. The University City Science Center is the largest and oldest urban research park in the country, supporting technology economic de-
velopment in the Philadelphia region. The business incubator provides space and support for entrepreneurs and helps them launch and grow their companies. Ninety-three companies have graduated from the incubator and remain in the Greater Philadelphia area, employing 15,000 people at an average salary of $89,000.
Johnson Backs Bill To Halt State Forest Drilling Leases State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson (DW. Phila.) said he has signed onto co-sponsor legislation (HB 150) that would put a three-year moratorium on additional State forestland being leased for Marcellus Shale natural-gas drilling.
half of the 1.5 million acres of State Forest that lie above the Marcellus Shale formation to gas drillers. This legislation would not stop drilling on land the State has already leased, or on privately owned land.
Johnson said that although Gov. Corbett did not propose leasing additional State forestland for gas drilling during his budget address this week, there is still cause for concern.
A version of the bill passed the House last legislative session on a 157-33 vote, but it died in the Senate. Former Gov. Ed Rendell in October signed an executive order that put a moratorium on additional gas leases in State Forests, but Corbett can rescind it at any time.
“As we take the next steps forward in crafting a State budget, there will be more pressure to lease additional State Forests,” Johnson said. “I will stand with the 75 other sponsors of this bill to see that this moratorium on drilling leases for State lands is enacted.” The State has already leased about THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
Sen. Williams To Talk Education On AntiDefamation League Panel State Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-W. Phila.) will participate as a panelist Wednesday in discussion 14 MARCH, 2011
on education hosted by the AntiDefamation League and moderated by Chris Satullo of WHYY. The panel, “Our Schools at a Crossroads: Where Does the Future Lie?”, will take place on Wednesday, Mar. 16 at noon at the offices of Mellon Wealth Management, 1735 Market Street, 8th floor, for members and guests of the ADL. Williams will join an array of panelists who work in the field of edu-
cation to discuss issues ranging from diversity and bullying, to non-traditional educational approaches. He will share his experiences advocating for school-choice legislation. “I’m grateful the Anti-Defamation League is hosting this panel because our schools are facing numerous challenges today,” Williams said. “I look forward to sharing my thoughts on the state of our schools with other education experts, and I hope we can all gen-
erate a positive discussion that will ultimately benefit students.” He is a co-sponsor and a leading proponent of the Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act (SB 1), which would provide families with a chance to send their children to a public, private, parochial or charter school of their choice, as well as increase Earned Income Tax Credit funding by $25 million.
Andy Toy: New Jobs Commission Is Just A Start City Council At-Large candidate Andy Toy released a statement on City Council’s vote to create a Jobs Commission: “I’m glad City Council is taking the initiative to create jobs in Philadelphia. I think it is important to bring people together and work towards creating solutions to these problems. However, I suspect the commission will tell us many things that we already know — that our city does not do enough to promote job growth. “For the last 25 years I have worked in both City government and in the nonprofit sector to empower residents to create and improve their businesses. Part of my campaign is based around the fact I have created jobs and I have a plan to create even more. My plan in part includes: • Eliminating the 3-month summer recess for council members. Businesses often have to wait for council to come back into session in order to receive assistance on regulatory and business matters. • Creating a night court so that small business owners don’t have to close their stores for an entire day to go 14 MARCH, 2011
to court and risk losing new customers. • Making City government more transparent so we can eliminate the illusion you have to know someone in City Hall in order to get things done. • Streamlining the City’s bureaucracy so that new businesses don’t have to wait for approval on vital plans for their businesses. Many permits should be online so entrepreneurs don’t have to travel to City Hall to receive paperwork for their businesses. • Revitalizing our commercial corridors by creating tax rebates for new businesses that open in our commercial corridors and create incentives for storefront businesses to develop residences in the second and third floors of their buildings. • Reduce the City wage tax, gross receipts tax and business privilege tax. These burdensome taxes push companies and small businesses away from Philadelphia. “On May 17, I have no doubt voters will approve this much-needed commission. I am also confident they will choose to elect me because I am a proven leader in job creation and neighborhood revitalization.”
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
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Amy’s View Offers Engaging Drama, Thought-Provoking Dialogue
SARAH LYNN DEWEY as “Amy” brings her subtle character vividly to life on an intimate stage.
by Adam Taxin Amy’s View, a drama running through Sunday, Mar. 27 at the Walnut Street Theatre’s Studio 5, is an exploration of the challenges facing three generations of British women, set over four scenes taking place in 1979, 1985, 1993 and 1995. The main plot and conflict of the Sir David Hare play deals with, as the printed program’s “Director’s Notes” section describes, “family, love and loss.” In the process of 6|
telling its story, the play offers clever insights into, among other topics, response to adversity, British gentility, whether the role of journalists is parasitic and the not-exactly-new question of whether theater is in permanent decline. “Amy” is played by Sarah Lynn Dewey, a newcomer to Philadelphia productions. Embodying her character as if resigned to her fate, Dewey brings to mind “Julie Jordan” of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. Dewey’s subtle THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
yet extremely expressive face, very visible to the entire audience due to the intimate nature of the small theater, makes her performance quite engaging. “Esme Thomas,” the aging stage actress mother of the title character, is portrayed compellingly by Renee Weisband, who is also the producing artistic director at Moorestown, N.J.’s ISIS Productions, which put on the production. The script of Amy’s View is quite intelligent, and there are numerous 14 MARCH, 2011
lines delivered in thought-provoking manner at every part of the play. For example, regarding to the break-up of a marriage, Esme sums up her long suspicion with “I always knew this man would trade up.” In the context of a longer discussion of the role of theater, the journalist character Dominic
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Tyghe scolds Esme that “people love things that you think are vulgar.” And I, perhaps more than other members of the audience, appreciated Dominic’s defense of his professional work in his statement that “criticism can be just as creative as writing a story.”
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
Adam Taxin, a Center City attorney, can best be contacted via Facebook or at adamtaxin@gmail.com.
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