Vol. II No. 67 (227)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
May 19, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
Saving Day Care
3 LAWMAKERS charged GOP-proposed budget cuts for day-care centers will devastate poor working families, even to the point some parents may be unable to maintain their jobs. From left this morning, at Muir’s Little Scholars in Overbrook, were State Reps. Pam DeLissio, Ron Waters and Louise Williams Bishop; Omar Sabir, head of Muslim League of Voters; and day-care provider Lauren Muir. See related story page X.
Toomey Named Ranking Member Of Subcommittee – Pursues Cell-Phone Investigation Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has been named the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation’s Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance Subcommittee. As ranking member, the Senator will be the top Republican on the subcommittee. In his first statement in his new role at a hearing this morning, Toomey addressed concerns about consumer privacy in the mobiletelephone market. “Like most Americans, I am protective of my personal information and believe I should have control over who accesses it, how it is accessed, and ultimately how it is used by commercial entities. As the father of young children, I am also very concerned about protecting their identity and safety when
they use mobile devices or other online applications,” Toomey said. “Recent revelations that Apple iPhones have been tracking and storing user locations without consent and Facebook apps may have leaked profile information to advertisers are certainly causes for concern. These and other incidents have led many in Congress to question whether the federal government may have a legitimate interest in increasing its role in this space. I do, however, want to commend Apple and Facebook for taking swift action in both cases to correct the problem. I prefer to see the industry self-regulate, and I am eager to hear from our witnesses on what measures have been put into place to safeguard against any possible future consumer harms,” Toomey continued.
“This subcommittee plays an important role in protecting consumers from deceptive business practices and unsafe products on the market,” Toomey said. “Before Congress takes action, it is important to find the right balance that protects consumers’ personal information and does not harm innovation. I am not sure where the line needs to be drawn, and would caution against rushing to pass legislation that may have many unintended consequences.” This subcommittee’s responsibilities include overseeing the consumer protection efforts of various agencies, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Stack: State Moves Toward Divesting Public Funds From Iran, Sudan State Sen. Mike Stack said yesterday Pennsylvania is in the process of divesting funds from companies that do business with Iran and Sudan. Stack’s legislation, which was signed into law last July (Act 44 of 2010) requires the State’s public “Four Funds” — Public School Employees’ Retirement System, the State Employees’ Retirement System, the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System and the Treasury Dept. — to divest from direct investments in foreign companies that conduct business with Iran and Sudan. “This process will take some time, but I’m pleased Pennsylvania is taking the proper steps to divert any 2|
public funds from these rogue nations,” Stack said. “Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has advocated wiping Israel off the map. In Sudan, oil revenues have been used to fund militias to carry out ethnic cleansing. We should not be supporting these countries in any way, and this law sends a clear message that Pennsylvania does not tolerate their actions.” The Four Funds informed 38 companies in which one or more of the Four Funds have direct holdings about the passage of Act 44 and provided the companies an opportunity to offer plans to end business activities prohibited by the new law. The Four Funds also informed 46 companies in which they do not have di-
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rect holdings that Act 44 prohibits the purchase of any of their securities.
$198 million invested in companies that may be subject to divestment.
So far, 21 companies have responded, 17 of which the Four Funds have direct holdings. Eleven companies have been either removed from the list or may be removed based on their responses. The four funds have
“I appreciate the companies’ cooperation with our new law and I’m hopeful that the Four Funds will hear more responses soon,” Stack said.
Pa. Legislative Black Caucus Denounces Republican Education Cuts State Rep. Ronald G. Waters (DW. Phila.), chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus; State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-W. Phila.), PLBC vice chairwoman; State Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-N. Phila.), Democratic Public Health & Welfare Committee chairwoman; State Rep. James Roebuck (D-W. Phila.), Democratic chairman, House Education Committee; and State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.), Democratic chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee released the following statement on the effects of the Republican budget cuts to public education. These cuts will primarily target and further set back disadvantaged, African American and Latino children: “As members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, we have grave concerns about the cuts to basic education that Gov. Tom Corbett and the House Republicans have proposed for the 20112012 budget. “Our position is clear – we stand firmly in opposition to these cuts, which would be a detriment to our children and our future, and set back underprivileged children in
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this Commonwealth for years to come,” Waters stated. “There is no question school districts throughout the Commonwealth will be hurt if we fail to invest in our children’s futures. What’s more, neither of these budget proposals, either the Governor’s or the House Republicans’, would distribute the pain evenly throughout Pennsylvania. Rather, low-income students and students of color would suffer disproportionately. “According to a data analysis compiled by the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign, the Governor’s budget would cut education spending, on average, by $819 for a low-income student, by $867 for an Hispanic student and $1,091 for a Black student. The typical Caucasian student would experience only a $493 cut. Statewide, the average cut would be $623 per student. “The PLBC believes this analysis is the missing link, the untold story in the Republican assault on education. The Republicans would make the most vulnerable among us – poor children and children of color – bear the brunt of these disTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
astrous cuts to our schools. This is not an example of shared sacrifice, as Gov. Corbett touted in his budget address. This is an example of bait and switch, as some children will be forced to sacrifice more than others. The leaders of the Commonwealth have a responsibility to provide an opportunity to learn to all children; disproportionate cuts are antithetical to democracy and decency. “The disparities under the GOP House budget are just as glaring, although the average cut would be a little less, at $509 per student. The typical low-income student would experience a $715 cut. The spending reductions would be $781 for a Hispanic student and $1,018 for an African American student, compared to $385 for a white student. “Public education was not supposed to be this way,” concluded Waters. “State funding for education is designed to level the playing field, and bring less harm to those who need the greatest help. We should not impose more suffering on those children who are least able to bear it.”
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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar May 19Citizens Crime Commission Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Luncheon, Grand Ballroom., Park Hyatt at Bellevue, 200 SD. Broad St. Gov. Thomas Corbett to speak. May 19Phila. FIGHT opens public computing center for young adults at 112 N. Broad St., 9th fl., 3 p.m. Councilman Darrell Clarke will attend. May 21ACPS Church hosts Health Fair at 28th & Girard, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For info Eileen Mitchell (302) 438-5593. Free admission. May 21Local 57 Business Mgr. Stanley Sanders hosts annual dinner/scholarship dance honoring Mike Daniels at 500-506 N. 6th St., 7 p.m.-12 a.m. For info (215) 768-3856. May 24Phoenix Salon & Spa hosts Women Empowering Women benefit for Project H.O.M.E., 1600 Arch St., 6-9 p.m. Tickets $60 advance, $75 at door. For info Lauren Millner (215) 2327272, ext. 3045. May 27Free Clothing and Items Giveaway at Mt. Hebron Baptist Ch., 1415-19 Wharton St. Bring your own shopping bags/carts. Items for men, kids, babies, ladies, home. For info (215) 336-8163. Rev. R. Johnson Waller, Jr., PasTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
tor, Sister CP Love, Missionaries Director. Jun. 3Fundraising Banquet to purchase Asian Service Bldg. at Ocean City Restaurant, 234 N. 9th St., 6:30 p.m. For info Chairman Mohan Parmer (215) 317-8262. Jun. 4Badges of Honor 5 K run in Fairmount Park at 9 a.m. kicked off by Police Commissioner Ramsey, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, Prison Commissioner Louis Giorla and Mayor Michael Nutter. Jun. 16American Diabetes Ass’n honors Michael A. Rashid, president of AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Cos., as 2011 Father of the Year honoree at 1200 Awards Dinner at Loews Hotel, cocktail reception 5:30 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m. Jul. 10Benefit for Women Veterans hosted by Cathy Santos at Mom’s Kitchen Table Garden Courtyard, 2317 Ridge Ave., 4-9 p. m. For info Cathy Santos (215) 8344228.
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City Administration Urges Businesses To Renew Their Licenses Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Commissioner of Licenses & Inspections Fran Burns announced a new initiative from the Department encouraging businesses to renew lapsed licenses. Earlier this month, L&I began contacting the holders of licenses issued since 1995 but never renewed. Individuals operating businesses in Philadelphia without current licenses will have up to 45 days to come into full compliance. L&I will inspect the businesses of individuals who do not voluntarily come into compliance. If they are found to be operating without a license, individuals must purchase a new license including interest and penalties or have their business ceased. “Our Administration has made
tremendous gains making Philadelphia more businessfriendly and streamlining processes for business owners. We’re doing our part, and we expect business owners to be responsible and keep their licenses current,” said the Mayor Nutter. “We are issuing these notices to businesses to alert them to upcoming delinquencies so they can fulfill their obligations to the taxpayers and to the city.” Commissioner Burns added, “For the last three years, L&I has focused on improving services for business, decreasing the wait time in the Concourse from 90 minutes to less than 15, speeding up the plan review process and building inspections, and consolidating the
number of licenses from more than 130 to 38. Now businesses need to do their part to be good citizens and renew their licenses.” Over the next year, all delinquent license holders will be contacted and instructed to renew their licenses. Individuals who are no longer engaging in licensed activity do not need to undergo a renewal. Those who are engaging in unlicensed activity must begin the process of returning to compliance or face penalties and interest beginning May 31. The first 1,600 holders of lapsed licenses for Special Assembly Occupancy, Curb Markets, Hand Bills, Scales and Scanners, and Honor Boxes have received letters warning that they are not in compliance.
Keystone Mercy Plan Among Organizations That Have Saved State $5.9 Billion Keystone Mercy Health Plan is one of the managed-care organizations that have saved Pennsylvania a total of as much as $5.9 billion in State and federal funds in a little more than a decade and are projected to save the State up to another $3.6 billion over the next five years, according to a just-released report. The report also found a statewide expansion of HealthChoices, through which Keystone Mercy and other managed-care plans provide high-quality health-care pro19 MAY, 2011
grams for Pennsylvania’s 1.8 million Medicaid recipients, would save another $375 million over the next four years and up to a total of $1.1 billion through 2020. Keystone Mercy, part of the AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Cos., is Pennsylvania’s largest Medical Assistance (Medicaid) managed-care health plan, serving more than 300,000 Medical Assistance recipients in Southeastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia and Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Cos. THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
“The Dept. of Public Welfare should be proud of their partnership with Pennsylvania Managed Care Organizations,” said Dr. Jay Feldstein, DO, regional president at AmeriHealth Mercy. “Together, we have established a program that provides tremendous value to our consumers, to the taxpayers, and to our communities.” The report, An Evaluation of Medicaid Savings from Pennsylvania’s HealthChoices Program, was prepared by the Lewin Group, a nationally recognized health-care |
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policy and research organization. It was designed to measure past and future program savings compared to the traditional Medicaid fee-for-service delivery system and highlights the quality and costcontainment advantages derived from Medicaid Managed Care. It also calculated cost savings that could be obtained by replacing DPW’s ACCESS Plus program and expanding HealthChoices statewide. The Lewin Group report estimated that, compared to the FFS program that HealthChoices replaced, the Managed Care program is estimated to have yielded savings of $5.0 to $5.9 billion ($2.9 billion to $3.3 billion in State funds) over the past 11 years. It also projected that HealthChoices would save
$2.9 billion to $3.6 billion in State funds over the next five years in the existing HealthChoices Counties and between $5.4 billion and $6.6 billion for the ensuing fiveyear period (CY2016 - CY2020). In another development, KMHP was recognized yesterday with two prestigious awards for working to improve the health of its members through innovative programs. The Keystone Mercy programs received awards at the Medicaid Health Plans of America’s annual forum held at the Academy for Educational Development in Washington. “We are very honored to be recognized with these awards,” said Michael A. Rashid, president and CEO of AmeriHealth Mercy.
Winning an award in the Innovation category was Keystone Mercy’s “Embedding a Care Manager in a Physician Office” program. Through the innovative use of informatics, this program resulted in reduced hospital admissions, inpatient lengths of stay and readmissions. Keystone Mercy also won an award in the Outreach category for its “Community Baby Shower” program. It seeks to reverse the trend of African American women having the highest rate of inadequate prenatal care by connecting pregnant women with health-care providers, care managers from KMHP’s prenatal-care program, and other supportive community organizations.
Learning The Secrets Of Water
STATE REP. MIKE McGEEHAN is joined by Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug and staff members of the Samuel S. Baxter Water Treatment plant as they host a tour of students from Father Judge and Franklin Towne Charter HS students learned firsthand the exacting process of providing clean and safe drinking water to City of Philadelphia as well as environmental impacts and responsibilities associated with process. 6|
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NFL Star Promotes ealthy Living For PHA Kids
FORMER Former Atlanta Hawks star Dominique Wilkins appeared Tuesday at Phila. Housing Authority’s Wilson Park community center. He spoke to members of Boys & Girls Club about taking good care of themselves through exercise and diet, and listening to their parents.
Laborers’ Local 57 Swears In New Team
FORMER PRESIDENT Mike Daniels, of Laborers’ Local 57 swears in its newly elected administration at its Northern Liberties HQ.
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Illustrious Faces Adorn Penn Graduation
ACTOR Denzel Washington received an honorary doctorate from University of Penna. Here he is congratulated by President Amy Gutmann. Washington’s son is an undergraduate at Penn.
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR Joyce Carol Oates was seated next to trustee chairman David L. Cohen as she prepared to receive an honorary doctorate at Penn Commencement ceremonies in Franklin Field.
IN REVIEWING STAND, while thousands of students were en route to Commencement, were Penn President Amy Gutmann, honorary-degree recipient Denzel Washington and Penn chairman of Board of Trustees David L. Cohen. 8|
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