Vol. II No. 100 (260)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
July 14, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
Best Of The Worst‌.
FED UP WITH ALL SIDES, voters still think President Barack Obama best of a bad lot when it comes to the economy, a new poll finds. See story page 3.
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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar Jul. 14Michael Meehan and Republican City Committee hosts fundraiser for Karen Brown for Mayor at Vesper Club, 223 S. Sydenham St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets $250. Jul. 15Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell celebrates her birthday with 14th annual Celebration and Health Fair for Homeless on City Hall’s Dilworth Plaza, 12 m.-3 p.m. Jul. 15Councilman Curtis Jones celebrates his birthday with White Linen Party at Centennial Café, 4700 States Dr., Fairmount Pk., 811 p.m. Donation $50. For info (267) 912-1420 or email SamanthaJoyWilliams@gmail.com.
Jul. 15, 16Arts Bank Theatre hosts Classic Concert entertainment. $20. Hosted by Miss Black Penna. For info (267) 281-3521, Jul. 16G.O.P. Republican Motorcycle Riding Club launches 1sr annual Memorial Motorcycle Ride honnoring 20th annivdfsasy of passing of Mayor Frank L. Rizzo. All invited. Meet at Holy Sepulche Cementery, Cheltenham ave. and Easton Rd. 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.
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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
13 JUNE, 2011
Voters Blame Bush Over Obama 2 To 1 For Financial Mess American voters disapprove 5638% of the way President Barack Obama is handling the economy, but by 45-38% they trust the President more than congressional Republicans to handle the economy, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. The country is in a recession, 71% of American voters say, but by 5427% they blame former President George W. Bush more than President Obama. The President gets a 47-46% job-approval rating, unchanged from the Jun. 9 survey by the independent Quinnipiac University. That tops a 64-28% disapproval for Democrats in Congress and a 65-26% disapproval for Republicans. Obama outscores congressional Republicans on several points in the deficit-reduction battle: Voters will blame Republicans over Obama 48-34% if the debt limit is not raised; Voters say 67- 25% that an agreement to raise the debt ceiling should include tax hikes for the wealthy and corporations, not just spending cuts;
13 JUNE, 2011
By a 62-32% margin, American voters say it’s more important to reduce unemployment than to reduce the federal budget deficit. But they say 49-43% it’s more important to reBut voters say 57-30% that duce unemployment than to reduce Obama’s proposals will impact the government spending. middle class, not just the wealthy. While 71% of voters say they like “The American people aren’t very the President personally, they dishappy about their leaders, but Preslike most of his policies 48-45%. ident Barack Obama is viewed as the best of the worst, especially When it comes to Obama’s job apwhen it comes to the economy,” said proval, his base remains intact. DePeter A. Brown, assistant director of mocrats give him a thumbs up the Quinnipiac University Polling 81-11%, while disapproval is 83institute. 13% among Republicans and 5340% among independent voters. “Americans overwhelmingly disapObama gets a 50-41% approval ratprove of President Obama’s haning among women, but men disapdling of the economy, but by 2-1 prove 51-43%. they pin the blame on former President George W. Bush rather than During Jul. 5-11, Quinnipiac UniObama, who is now more than 60% versity surveyed 2,311 registered through his term of office.” voters with a margin of error of +/2 percentage points. Live interview“Given this public view, it might be ers call land lines and cell phones. reasonable to expect that President’s reelection campaign will be, as it The Quinnipiac University Poll, diwas in 2008, running against the rected by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., former President, in addition to the conducts public-opinion surveys in actual GOP nominee,” said Brown. Pennsylvania, New York, New Jer“The key voting bloc, independents, sey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virsay 49-24% that Bush is more re- ginia and the nation as a public sponsible for the economy than service and for research. Obama.” Voters say 45-37% that Obama’s proposals to raise revenues are “closing loopholes,” rather than “tax hikes”;
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
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Controller Finds 7 Big Weaknesses In City’s Financial Statements City Controller Alan Butkovitz accurately reported; today released the findings from his • failure to obtain timely financial audit of the City’s Fiscal Year 2010 statements from component units Comprehensive Annual Financial included in the CAFR; Report that included seven separate • inadequate accountability over deconditions resulting in a material partmental custodial accounts; and weakness over the City’s ability to • failure to automate the year-end properly report its finances. closing process for the city’s Aviation Fund to decrease the risk for A material weakness is determined financial statement errors. to exist when there is a “reasonable According to Butkovitz, over the possibility” that the process used to past decade, the Accounting Buprepare a financial report will not reau’s staff size has been reduced prevent or detect and correct misfrom 64 positions in fiscal year takes in the report on a timely basis. 2000 to 45 in fiscal year 2010, “Our Office is required by auditing which is a 30% reduction. standards to report material weaknesses so that management can take corrective action and ensure investors and bond rating agencies of timely, accurate, and reliable financial information for making informed decisions,” said Butkovitz.
“As a result, top managers are now being forced to prepare significant sections of the CAFR, eliminating their independent review of CAFR work that would normally be performed by subordinates – and in turn reviewed by them in their suThe seven conditions contained in pervisory role,” said Butkovitz. the material weakness include the “Consequently there was, and still remains, an increased risk of errors following: in financial reporting.” • continued staff turnover and reductions in the city’s Finance Office, “During the course of this audit my compromising the process necessary staff found $1.1 billion in errors which were ultimately corrected by for preparing an accurate CAFR; • poor procedures to ensure accu- the City,” said Butkovitz. “While I rate reporting of city receivables; understand the budget constraints fac• lack of procedures for preparing ing all city departments, it is imperathe deposits and investments tive for the Finance Office to have the footnote, which led to numerous appropriate number of staff to ensure misclassified or omitted deposit that the financial statements and information presented are accurate.” and investment accounts;
another finding included the Dept. of Human Services’ ongoing failure to submit quarterly reports of expenditures for reimbursements within the required 45 days of the end of reach quarter. For all of fiscal 2010, DHS had been consistently late in submission of the reports. “With the city experiencing fiscal constraints, timely reporting of Act 148 reimbursement invoices would have improved the City’s cash flows,” said Butkovitz. “I strongly urge DHS to comply with Act 148 and submit their reports for reimbursement within the mandated 45 days.” The Controller’s other concerns from the audit report include:
• The city’s lack of a comprehensive capital asset system. • Inadequate inventory procedures for all city real property. • Continuing concerns with the operation of the Basis 2 Water Billing System. • The failure to revise the city’s Standard Accounting Procedures to reflect various automated processing applications and practices currently in use. • Non-compliance with Act 148 reporting requirements. To view a copy of the Fiscal Year 10 Audit Report on Internal Control and on Compliance and Other Matters pertaining to the City’s CAFR, please visit the City Controller’s website at • insufficient procedures to make Along with the material weakness, www.philadelphiacontroller.org. certain the City’s Water Fund is 4|
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
14 JULY, 2011
Stack, Farnese Announce Funding For USO Program To Benefit Soldiers’ Families
BRINGING HOME bacon to USO – from left are Lt. Col. Tyrone Twyman; Joe Brooks, Liberty USO president and COO; State Sens. Larry Farnese and Mike Stack; and Col. Michael Konzman, deputy commander of 55th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.
FROM LEFT, Sens. Stack and Farnese speak to Col. Konzman and USO’s Brooks, discussing work of Liberty USO. 14 JULY, 2011
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State Sens. Mike Stack (D-Northeast) and Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.) joined the Pennsylvania National Guard yesterday to announce that significant state dollars will be made available to provide meals and comfort to military personnel and their families who pass through the Liberty USO Center at the Philadelphia International Airport. Stack and Farnese presented a $100,000 State grant to the United Service Organizations of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey (Liberty USO) at a news conference at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia. The funds will be used to provide meals and morale-boosting programs to 65,000 soldiers and their families at the center. Occupying 5,000 square feet on the tarmac level of airport Terminal A,
the Liberty USO Center offers servicemen and women and their families around-the-clock access to complimentary meals, Internet, showers, laundry, bunks, a library, game room and a home theater. “Liberty USO understands that our military and their loved ones need an ongoing support system, and the center at the airport provides that needed support,” Stack said. “The smallest comforts, like a hearty meal, a comfortable place to rest, or an opportunity to relax with family and friends can bring a little normalcy to an often chaotic life as a military family.”
service members and their loved ones. I’m honored to help provide state funding that will allow this center to continue its mission.” Liberty USO has been serving the needs of the active duty, National Guard and reserve military personnel and their families throughout Pennsylvania for more than 60 years. “It would be impossible for the Liberty USO to meet the needs of our military and their families without the support of Sen. Stack and Sen. Farnese,” said Joe Brooks, president and COO for the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. “Through this grant we can “The military is the noblest of pro- continue to deliver our innovative fessions, and while we should ex- morale, comfort and care propress our gratitude for their service, grams.” we must also take care of them and The grant was provided through the their families,” Farnese said. “LibDept. of Community & Economic erty USO provides an amazing servDevelopment. ice and is truly a blessing to our
Mayor Confirms: School Dist. Got On Same Page With Him The Mayor’s Office has certified that Nutter and the transparency and continued collaboration. On Jun. 9, Philadelphia School District have been sharing infor- Nutter, SRC Chairman Robert Archie, and Pennsylvamation fully for the past month. nia Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the request for On Jun. 5, 2011, Mayor Michael A. Nutter sent a letter improved information sharing and coordination among to the School Reform Commission, the governing body the City, Commonwealth and Philadelphia School Disof the School District of Philadelphia, to express contrict. cern over fiscal and programmatic accountability District-wide and expressed areas of concern. In his letter, On Jun. 15, the SRC and Philadelphia School District the Mayor requested additional information to promote complied with the request for information.
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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
14 JULY, 2011
Nutter To Pitch Debt-Limit Deal To Seniors… This afternoon, Mayor Nutter will visit the Philadelphia Senior Center to meet with seniors. He will make a statement and take questions regarding the debate in Washington around raising the debt limit and reducing the nation’s deficit. The Philadelphia Senior Center is located at 509 S. Broad Street (Broad & Lombard Streets). He is expected there at 1 p.m.
…And Start The Evening Slinging Verse With Youths At day’s end, the Mayor will host a City Hall Youth Poetry Night from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the members of the Philly Youth Poetry Movement, a nonprofit organization committed to helping the youth of Philadelphia discover the power of their voices through spoken word, literacy and progressive workshop facilitation. During the evening, the poets will perform original work. Members of the group have been selected to participate in the 2011 Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam, which showcases young poets. The conference will take place beginning on Jul. 20 in San Francisco, Cal. His Honor will be joined by Gary Steuer, director of the Office of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy. During the evening, Mayor Nutter will make an announcement regarding the Brave New Voices members. The word will go down in City Hall, in the Mayor’s Reception Room, Room 202.
14 JULY, 2011
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
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