Philadelphia Daily Record

3ol. II No. 162 (322)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

October 17, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

20 Years Old!

AT KICKOFF RECEPTION at City Hall, among filmmakers and supporters of 20th Philadelphia Film Festival were, from left, filmmaker Nancy Glass; Sharon Pinkenson, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office; and Glass’s associate producer Michele Loschiavo. Nancy Glass Productions will showcase Race to the Bottom of the Earth, a documentary about Philadelphian Todd Carmichael, an explorer who trekked from Antarctica to the South Pole. Film will be shown Oct. 22 at International House and Nov. 2 at Ritz East A theater.

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Oct. 20Fundraiser for State Rep. Rosita Youngblood at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden Sts., 7:009:30 p.m. Dinner & open bar.

Tickets $75. For info (215) 7454306.

Oct. 20HAVE A BEER WITH SCHMIDT AT SCHMITZ! Donation - $100. Includes authentic German food and beer (wine, soda) Please make checks payable to: “Friends of Al Schmidt”. Checks can be mailed to: P.O. Box 18538, Philadelphia, PA 19129 Or contribute online at www.SchmidtforPhilly.com For more info, call: 215-624-1930 Oct. 20— Fundraiser for Al Taubenberger for City Council at-large at Gary B. Freedman Law Offices, 7909 Bustleton Ave., 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Guest: Former City Controller Jonathan A. Saidel. Call 267-5074282.

Oct. 20Elwyn Education Services’ 10th Annual Student Art Exhibit and Auction benefitting students with special needs at White Manor Country Club in Malvern. 5:30 to 8:30 pm Folr tickets and info call Susan Kroungold at 6100-8917624.

Oct. 21Fundraiser for Council candidate Bill Rubin at Stevenson’s Tavern, 4300 Comly ZSt., 6-8 p.m. Copntribution $35.

Oct. 2126th Ward GOP Fabulous Fall Festival at Waterfall Rm., 2015 S. Water St., 7 p.m. For info (215) 468-2300.

Oct. 2119th Ward Democrats host Meet the Candidates Beef & Beer fundraiser THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

at New Palladium, 229 W. Allegheny Ave., 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Sponsors $100, community businesses $25. For info Leslie Lopez (484) 988-2422.

Oct. 22Philly Cares Day targets S. Phila. HS at Broad & Snyder Ave., 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For info or to volunteer call Matthew Mumber (215) 564-4544.

Oct. 22State Sen. LeAnna Washington hosts Walk To End Domestic Violence at W. River Dr. & Ben Franklin Blvd., 9 a.m. registration, Walk starts 10:30 a.m. Pre-register at http://conta.cc/Walktoenddomesticviolence or call (215) 545-4715.

Oct. 23Men’s Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, host Candidates Brunch at Karff Auditorium, 9768 Verree Rd., 9 a.m. Free brunch. For info and reservations Harris Popolow (215) 676-7486.

Oct. 23Wine and Cheese fundraiser hosted

by Louis S. Schwartz for Lewis Harris, Jr., GOP candidate for Traffic Court Judge. $50 donation. For info, call 215-651-4757. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 7112 N. Broad St. Oct. 24State Rep. Michelle Brownlee hosts Older & Wiser workshop for seniors on retirement benefits at University Sq., 3901 Market St., 10 a.m.-12 p.m. For info (215) 6843738 Oct. 25Fundraiser for judicial candidate Angelo Foglietta at offices of Stephen A. Sheller, 1528 Walnut St., 3rd fl, 5-8 p.m. Supporter $150, Friend $250, Patron $500. For info Thomas P. Muldoon, Esq. (215) 545-1776, ext. 3.

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Dem Senators Want To Boost Women, Youth, Minority Jobs A group of Democratic Senators released a package of bills this morning aimed at making it to make it easier for women, minorities, and youth to find work in Pennsylvania.

They made their announcement outside the Lieutenant Governor’s office in Harrisburg at 11:30 a.m.

Senators introducing legislation include three Philadelphians: Shirley Kitchen (D-N. Phila.), Christine Tartaglione (DKensington) and LeAnna Washington (D-North-

west). They were joined by colleagues Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Lisa Boscola (DNorthampton).

Dr. Thomas Rushton of the Monroe Career & Technical Institute and David Masur of PennEnvironment also participated in the announcement.

One proposal offers tax-credit incentives to encourage small businesses to provide child and adult day care alternatives. Another would provide incentives to grow

women- and minority-owned businesses.

One bill seeks to improve schoolto-work transition through postsecondary programs offered by community and technical colleges.

Summer job alternatives for youth are also addressed.

The Senators have planned diverse training programs. One would teach skills needed in Marcellus Shale drilling operations. Another would develop a green-jobs employment and training program.

Josephs Testifies To Exempt Domestic Partners From Inheritance Tax State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-S. Phila.) testified before the House Finance Committee yesterday on her legislation that would add domestic partners to the list of relatives who are currently exempt from paying State inheritance taxes.

“I believe that the institution of marriage is sacred and quite special; however, there are many people who are in deeply committed relationships, but for personal reasons, choose not to enter into the institution of marriage,” Josephs said in her testimony.

“Some widows/widowers and divorced individuals find it unacceptable to reenter into marriage 18 OCTOBER, 2011

because of the sanctity of the institution and belief that it is reserved as a once-in-a-lifetime endeavor.

Other couples in our Commonwealth are prevented by law from entering into marriage for the sole reason that their partner is of the same gender. Nonetheless, these ‘non-traditional’ arrangements do not preclude one from loving another individual wholeheartedly and accepting the responsibilities that come along with a monogamous relationship of mutual interdependence.”

Josephs’ legislation (HB 1828) would define a domestic partnership as a relationship not defined by marriage or a civil union, but one where the two people agree to THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

mutual interdependence and take responsibility for the maintenance and support of the other.

In order to prove this relationship for the purposes of an inheritance tax exemption, the surviving domestic partner would have to provide a signed partnership affidavit and any two documents proving their: joint liability of a mortgage, lease or loan; primary beneficiary on the other’s life insurance policy or retirement plan; primary beneficiary on the deceased’s will; durable power of attorney for health care or financial management; |

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joint ownership or lease of a motor vehicle; joint checking account, investments or credit account; joint renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policy; coverage on a health insurance policy; joint responsibility for child care, such as guardianship or school documents; or

relationship or cohabitation contract.

Josephs said that she introduced the bill “in an effort to provide equity in the law as it applies to unmarried couples in committed relationships who sustain the loss of a partner during the course of the relationship.”

Currently, only spouses and parents of children under 21 are ex-

empt from paying inheritance taxes on property bequeathed them, but a domestic partner bequeathed property by his or her partner is subjected to a 15% inheritance tax.

Josephs thanked the committee for consideration of her legislation and said she hoped the committee would bring up the bill for a vote in the near future.

Youth-Service Workers Call To Bag DPW Policy That Stalls Pay Youth Services Alliance of Pennsylvania President Craig Adamson today called on the State Dept. of Public Welfare to end the Rendellera policy that has caused a 15-

month delay in providing the state’s at-risk children with needed services.

“The real losers in this are the

kids,” said Adamson. “Without funding to cover child welfare services, more and more quality service providers are shutting their doors, making it harder for kids to get the help they need.”

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DPW is currently 15 months late in the necessary process for contracting with nearly 70 private service providers that deliver essential child-welfare and juvenilejustice services to Counties in Pennsylvania. The number of providers not under a County contract is at a historically high figure.

The lack of contracts prevents providers from being paid for their services.

The delay stems from a rate-setting process implemented by the Rendell Administration in 2008.

The State Commonwealth Court unanimously ruled this process to be illegal, but the Rendell Administration appealed.

The flawed policy has created this process: Counties and providers

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

18 OCTOBER, 2011

wait from several months to over a year until reimbursement rates are established for the current fiscal year. During this time, Counties are unable to pay for services they need to help these troubled chil-

dren, some of whom are victims of child abuse and neglect. Providers are then left with the choice to continue services without funding or borrow money to stay afloat.

“Counties and providers want to get back to work improving the lives of at-risk children,” said Adamson. “But we can’t do that until this antiquated policy is put to bed.”

DeLissio Says Town Meetings Were Rewarding State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio (DNorthwest) today said her quarterly town-hall meetings last week were rewarding and informative.

Over 90 people turned out for the three meetings.

Constituents commented that in addition to hearing about what is on the legislative calendar for the next few months, they also appreciated learning about the process for passing legislation and the nuances of how the House operates.

“Attendees were particularly intrigued by the ‘math’ of the House

and Senate,” DeLissio said. “There is a majority of Republicans in both chambers – 112 Republicans and 91 Democrats in the House and 30 Republicans and 20 Democrats in the Senate. The Governor’s office is also held by a Republican. The legislative agenda is controlled by the majority party and most votes are partisan in nature.”

DeLissio added that in the House it is difficult to even amend a piece of legislation if the amendment is introduced by a Democrat. DeLissio and her constituents talked

strategy to determine how more bipartisan efforts could be put forth.

“I enjoy hearing from the residents of the 194th Dist.,” DeLissio said.

“There was great dialogue about vouchers, transportation funding, taxing Marcellus Shale drilling and privatizing the liquor stores.”

DeLissio held a set of town-hall meetings in July, and in response to constituents’ requests, agreed to schedule town-hall meetings quarterly as a way for constituents to participate in State government.

Advocates Decry Brutal treatment Of Mentally Handicapped The Arc of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corp. offered a response to the recent news reports of the alleged criminal behavior against people with disabilities.

J. Bruce Hulick, executive director of The Arc of Philadelphia/PDDC, said, “We are outraged and saddened by the recent news of the alleged kidnapping and imprisonment of four (4) people with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Philadelphia. Those of us who live and work with people with intellec18 OCTOBER, 2011

tual and developmental disabilities recognize that they are the same as any of us – we all learn and grow, hold down jobs in the community, pursue hobbies, and enjoy personal relationships. Criminal behavior of this nature is reprehensible, particularly on such vulnerable citizens.

“Pennsylvania has a forthright and clear incident management policy that is administered locally by the Philadelphia Intellectual Disabilities Services’ Risk Management Unit. They are extremely conscientious and perform admirably for the vulnerable population we supTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

port. However, if an incident is not reported, or if the vulnerable people are not registered in our system, we have to depend on our neighbors and our communities to help us identify abuse and potential wrongdoing to ensure the fair treatment of our fellow citizens. We should investigate this incident very carefully to guarantee that the appropriate oversight and our utmost attention are paid to the safety and well-being of our vulnerable populations. We must do everything in our power to prevent anything like this from happening again.” |

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