Vol. II No. 90 (250)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
June 27, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
Robbing Nutter To Pay Paul
FOR SUSQUEHANNA COMMUNITY FESTIVAL, Mayor Michael A. Nutter made a check presentation on Saturday to sponsors State Rep. Jewell Williams and Bob Jackson, of Susquehanna Neighborhood Advisory Council. $5,000 contribution from Nutter for Mayor campaign helped fund day’s entertainment, headlined by veteran singer Billy Paul. Without Nutter’s check, festival could not have afforded Paul. Festival drew thousands to area around Susquehanna Street in N. Phila. and celebrated its 22nd year. Photo by Donald Terry
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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar Jun. 28SEPTA and State Sen. Anthony Williams co-host career clinic for potential SEPTA employment at Sayers Memorial United Methodist Ch., 61st & Catherine, Sts., 3 p.m. For info Don Cave or Desaree K. Jones (215) 492-2980. Jun. 29Montgomery, McCracken et al. invite all to portrait presentation of Hon. Judge Gene D. Cohen at City Hall Rm. 653, 4 p.m. Reception follows in Conversation Ha., 2nd fl. RSVP Stephanie Redding (215) 772-7260. Jun. 29PRO-ACT 2-hr. workshop on “How to Talk to Your Legislators & Get Them to Hear You, ” at PRO-ACT Recovery Training Ctr., 444 N. 3rd St., Suite 307, 6 p.m.
Again on Sat., Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. at the same location. Free. Call William Webb (215) 923-1661. 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) 834-4228. Jul. 19Fundraiser for Council candidate David Oh at McGillin’s Ale House, 1310 Drury St., 6-8. Free buffet, open bar. Contribution $50. Cash or money order. No Corporate checks. Jul. 23Brady Bunch get-together at Keenan’s at 113 Old New Jersey Av., North Wildwood, N.J., 4-8 p.m. Tickets $35. For info Tommy (215) 423-9027 or Charlie (215) 241-7804.
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budget that lays off 11,000 teachers and raises local property taxes in over 75% of Pennsylvania school districts, while carrying this kind of surplus, is beyond reason,” said Hughes. “This is draconian, and almost US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a leading voice in the Sen- appears a fiscal crisis is being manufactured.” ate for action to address ongoing prescription drug shortages, joined a bipartisan effort to urge the US Hughes, the Democratic chairman of the Senate ApproDept. of Health & Human Services to hold a public priations Committee, commented, “Despite the burhearing on the dangerous issue of prescription-drug geoning revenue surplus, the Governor has refused to shortages as soon as possible. In a letter to HHS Secre- use these surplus funds to fill in funding gaps and retary Kathleen Sebelius, five other Senators joined lieve pain. Casey in expressing a growing urgency to deal with While the Governor and legislators must be responsible shortages that are adversely affecting patient care. and prudent when using the surplus, it is inappropriate and unfair to the people of Pennsylvania to put massive “Given the growing severity of this problem, we amounts of the surplus into reserve, the West Philadelstrongly urge you to hold a public hearing on this issue phia lawmaker said. as soon as possible in order to help facilitate a meaningful discussion of potential solutions to address these To convey the magnitude of the revenue surplus, shortages,” the Senators wrote. Hughes pointed out that each property taxpayer could
Casey Pushes for Immediate Action on Prescription Drug Shortages
be given a rebate check of $300 if the surplus were diThe FDA has a public meeting scheduled in September, vided among all Pennsylvania homeowners. but the Senators today expressed the need to quicken the pace of action. Sens. Casey and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) have Dem Senators Resist University introduced the Preserving Access to Life-Saving Med- Cuts In Vain ications Act, which will require prescription drug manufacturers to give early notification to the FDA of any State Sen. Mike Stack called Friday’s party-line vote to cut Temple University’s State appropriation an “asincident that would likely result in a drug shortage. sault on the middle class.”
Daily Surplus Countdown: $700 Million Year End Surplus in Sight, Says Hughes Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.) announced state tax receipts for Jun. 23 added $40 million to the budget surplus, getting Pennsylvania closer to a $700 million surplus for the State budget.
The Governor’s budget plan called for a 52% cut to Temple University’s State funding compared to last year. The Senate Republican plan (SB 1124) would cut Temple’s appropriation by 19% compared to last year. Stack introduced an amendment to fully restore Temple University’s state appropriation to last year’s funding level of $164 million. The amendment was ultimately defeated 30-20. All Senate Democrats voted in favor of the legislation.
“At this rate, we will clearly make the $700 million number by Jun. 30. How this State can agree to a His colleague Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila. pushed 13 JUNE, 2011
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back against the Governor’s budget agreement that decimates education by introducing an amendment to SB 1125 that would have restored funding to Lincoln University to last year’s state funding level, without adding any new fees or taxes. It too was defeated.
ther deteriorating our economic situation.
“An investment in higher education is an investment in our future,” said Stack, “but this evening’s vote shows that the Republican agenda is focused on sheltering their wealthy corporate interests and cutting out the Hughes’ amendment would have restored $1.9 million middle class.” to Lincoln University. Such funding would have taken the school to the 2010-2011 funding levels, minus the Likewise, Senate Republicans defeated similar amendfederal money from the American Recovery and Rein- ments proposed by Senate Democrats to fully restore vestment Act of 2009, or a total of $13.6 million. The the appropriations to Pennsylvania’s two other state-refunding to restore Lincoln University would have come lated universities, Pennsylvania State University and from looking at cost efficiencies within the Dept. of the University of Pittsburgh. Corrections budget and federalizing inmate health care provided outside institutions. “These cuts are an assault on the middle class,” Stack said. “We are trying to make education more affordable for all students. We want to give middle and working class families hope that they can afford to send their children to college. Our State-related universities are offering a world-class education, but we’re putting a Temple University degree out of reach for too many hard-working families because of this legislation.” “Since the Governor’s budget proposal in March, I have been a staunch advocate for the restoration of higher education funding – it is the very foundation of the health of our State and a worthwhile investment,” said Hughes.
House Passes Lowery Brown Bill To Tighten Pawn Regulations The House passed, 196-0, State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown’s (D-W. Phila.) bill that would help people recover goods stolen from them and sold to a pawn shop, aid law enforcement investigations and protect consumers from inadvertently purchasing stolen merchandise. HB 720 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The bill would change State law to require pawnbrokers to hold goods they buy for at least 90 days before selling them. It also would allow law enforcement to put a 90-day written hold order on items in a pawnbroker’s possession they believe are stolen. Under Lowery Stack noted Senate Republicans have no problem givBrown’s bill, police could hold items for use at a trial, ing a pass to the natural gas industry by not enacting a and then they would be returned to the owner. severance tax on Marcellus Shale drilling while burdening students and families who may suffer from in- The bill also would require pawn shop owners to obtain creased tuition as a result of these cuts. a seller’s identifying information, including a photocopy of valid photo ID issued by State or federal gov“Families are already struggling to help put their chil- ernment. It also would require shop owners to take a dren through college in this economy, and most of our digital photograph of the seller at the time of the transstudents leave college $30,000 in debt on average,” action. Stack said. “These cuts are only going to put our students into more debt after graduation. We’re only fur- “These commonsense changes would make pawn 4|
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shops use more caution about what they buy and from in cyber charter schools are performing substantially whom they buy it,” Lowery Brown said. “The bill has lower than those in traditional schools. gained a considerable amount of support, and I’m hopeful the Senate will soon pass it.” Lowery Brown said pawn-shop owners would face a five-year revocation of their license under her legislation.
‘Voter Beware,’ Says Black Caucus As House Passes ID-Card Law
The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus voted a reLowery Brown said she is more determined to enact sounding “no” to a Republican bill that has the potential strong pawnbroker legislation after learning a Philadel- to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters phia woman whose bicycle was stolen while volunteer- across the Commonwealth. ing had to pay $253 to get it back. That was the amount On Thursday, Republicans forced a vote on the bill, cutthe pawn shop paid for the bicycle. ting off debate before several members of the Black “She was victimized twice – once by a thief and once Caucus were able to voice the opinions of hundreds of thousands of their constituents on the floor of the House by lax laws,” Lowery Brown said. of Representatives.
Hughes Decries Poor Charter Performances State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.) lamented Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcome’s “Charter School Performance in Pennsylvania” report, which showed the poor performances of the State’s charter schools. Charter schools started in Pennsylvania in 1997 when the charter school law was passed. They are funded by taxpayers and overseen by their own boards. Charter schools are exempt from some State regulations but students must participate in the State’s standardized testing. Currently, there are 135 charter schools, with 74 in Philadelphia.
HB 934, sponsored by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (RButler), would require nearly all voters to provide a current, valid government-issued photo identification every time they vote. About 700,000 Pennsylvanians lack the necessary photo identification, including many elderly, young, disabled or urban voters, who often rely on public transportation and do not have a driver’s license. In the past, Metcalfe has sponsored anti-immigrant legislation modeled on controversial Arizona legislation, which would take away birthright citizenship from children of illegal immigrants.
“At the same time the Republicans’ draconian budget cuts spending for public education, health care and public transportation, they are passing legislation that Cyber charter schools are public, virtual charter would silence the voices of those who are most affected schools. There are 12 in Pennsylvania with 3,460 by these unfair cuts, such as minorities and the elderly,” said State Rep. Ron Waters (D-W. Phila.), chairman of Philadelphia kids enrolled. the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. While in the aggregate, charter schools overall appear “What is perhaps most revealing is the fact that they to be performing on par with traditional schools, there cut off debate on this legislation, silencing their critics were areas of weakness. Furthermore, students enrolled in the House in the same manner they intend to silence 27 JUNE, 2011
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the voices of people at the ballot box,” Waters said.
time when important programs are being slashed due to the Republicans’ budget cuts,” Waters said. “This Republicans rejected amendments that would have almoney would be far better spent on educating our chillowed other forms of identification to be used, such as dren and improving our public-transportation system. voter registration cards, college IDs, or hunting licenses. Additionally, they rejected efforts to exempt “HB 934 is a solution without a problem. The bill’s voters over 65 and victims of domestic violence from sponsor claims it is needed to fight voter fraud. But in the photo-ID requirement, as well as attempts to require the past 10 years, there have been fewer than two dozen notification of this new requirement to be published in voter-fraud convictions in Pennsylvania, according to Spanish as well as English. the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing; and that’s out of 39.4 million ballots cast,” Waters said. “This legislation will cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars. This is completely unacceptable during a
Fattah Joins With NOAA Chief On Climate Change
CONGRESSMAN CHAKA FATTAH greets Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, upon her visit to Phila. on Jun. 24 to sign a joint agreement promoting climate awareness between NOAA and the American Public Gardens Association, which was holding its annual meeting at Loews Hotel.
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An Old Shoemaker Grad Salutes Its Second Life
IT WAS A nostalgic trip “home” for Congressman Chaka Fattah last week when he delivered graduation address at Mastery/Shoemaker. The photo shows him addressing parents and guests at University of Penna.’s Irvine Auditorium – with entire first-ever high-school graduating class of Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus arrayed behind him on Irvine’s stage. Fattah attended Shoemaker when it was a middle school, and a very different place in other respects. She takes over Warden’s duties at DC. DC is a dormitorystyle minimum-custody facility with about 1,000 inmates. It houses the Prison Health Services Wing – the infirmary Beginning today, new Wardens Karen Bryant and – with beds for medical and behavioral-health patients. Juanita Goodman will take up their posts at Alternative & Special Detention and Detention Center, respectively; Joyce Adams, who has led the Detention Center for the and Warden Joyce Adams will be reassigned to the past two years, will take over at the women’s jail, as Riverside Correctional Facility. Bryant and Goodman long-time Warden Kenneth Brown retires. Adams has were promoted to Warden on Apr. 13 and have spent the also served as Warden at Philadelphia Industrial Corpast two months in transitional training – “shadowing – rectional Center and House of Correction. RCF is the intake facility for all women at PPS, running a current in all facilities, before taking on their new positions. census of about 750.” Karen Bryant is a 20-year veteran, formerly deputy warden at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Cen- With the retirements of Wardens Blackmon and Brown, ter. She takes over Warden’s duties at ASD following we were fortunate to promote these experienced and talthe retirement of Arthur Blackmon. The Alternative & ented women to Warden,” said Prisons Commissioner Special Detention program manages six scattered-site Louis Giorla, adding, “We were able to give added exfacilities for sentenced inmates in minimum custody posure to the Warden’s duties in each of our facilities and community custody programs, including the Roots before they took over their current assignments.” to Reentry Program, the Work Release Program, WeekThe other Wardens are Michele Farrell at House of Corender program and Mural Arts program. rection, William Lawton at Philadelphia Industrial CorJuanita L. Goodman, formerly deputy warden at the River- rectional Center, and John P. Delaney at Curran-Fromhold side Correctional Facility, started with PPS 26 years ago. Correctional Facility.
New Wardens Assigned Philadelphia Prison System
27 JUNE, 2011
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Leach Enjoys 50th Birthday Bash
SUPPORTERS of State Sen. Daylin Leach who attended fundraiser in honor of Leach’s 50th birthday were, from left, State Sen. Jay Costa, Montco Coroner Walter I. Hofman, MD and former Congressman Patrick Murphy. Photos by Bonnie Squires
CHOPS on City Avenue was site of Leach’s birthday celebration. Here he is seen welcoming host of the fundraiser Leslie Anne Miller, Esq., former Penna. General Counsel, and Montco Democratic Chairman Marcel Groen.
LEACH’S Democratic leadership colleagues came down from Harrisburg to salute him. From left are State Sen. Vincent Hughes and his lovely wife actress Sheryl Lee Ralph; State Sen. Jay Costa; and Leach. 8|
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