Archive for March, 2011
Ridge Avenue: From Temple University Student to Campaign Manager
By Matthew Beck and Rebecca Arden for PhiladelphiaNeighborhoods.com / pa2012.com
Behind every good election campaign are dedicated workers and volunteers to help get the winning edge. While most are experienced politicians, others are young, motivated workers ready to take on the everyday duties of a successful campaign.
Laura Frank, a former Temple University student, was called upon to be the campaign manager of the Verna Tyner for City Council 8th District campaign. Frank has
…
Full StoryVoter ID – zombie legislation that refuses to die
For a party whose central tenet is supposed to revolve around individual rights and responsibilities, Republican strategists and policymakers seem to enjoy repression and restriction of said rights to stake out wins as of late.
Swing voters should feel cheated right about now. On the national and state level, they spoke loudly last fall, voting Republican in hopes of change, for jobs to be created, so things could get moving.
Instead, they got loud proclamations…
Full StoryIs Senator Toomey keeping campaign promises?
Nearly every newly minted U.S. senator promises some variation of “I’m going to hit the ground running.” It sounds good to their supporters flush with victory. More often than not, new senators spend a few months if not a full year getting their bearings, often being tapped to preside over the Senate in order to get a grasp of the often Byzantine rules of the chamber. Indeed, few freshmen senators get much national media exposure…
Housing Forum Urges Community Leaders to Advocate and Activate
Post by: Passion Rutledge – philadelphianeighborhoods.com
With the final version of President Obama
’s 2011 budget still pending, leaders in the Philadelphia community met yesterday to discuss the local implications of proposed budget cuts to housing and homelessness programs.
Located at 1515 Fairmount Ave., the forum was a collaboration of The People’s Emergency…
Full StoryCorbett emerges … Local impact fees not far behind.
Saying he was “surprised” at the reaction of Penn State to his calls for 50 percent in state spending cuts, Gov. Tom Corbett’s interview and editorial board meeting at Philadelphia’s 6ABC did nothing if not further frame his mindset for the viewing audience. Still adamant about not using the “T” word, Corbett continued to trot out his new consideration for “local impact fees (aka “taxes”)” when it comes to shale natural gas drilling in the…
Full StoryThose Fracking Taxes, No Fees, No Taxes …
Gov. Tom Corbett Full Story
Nuclear yes, but not without academic fireguards
In the Keystone State, nuclear has moved ahead steadily, despite the 1970s threat that was the Three Mile Island fiasco. Without reported loss of life or irreparable damage to its neighboring community, costly houses and a mall with pricey (though discounted) wares sprouted and now stand in its shadow.
Three Mile Island has gone from iconic to nearly innocuous.
Election 2011: The Next Great City?
With the 2011 Philadelphia City Council primary on May 17, the Next Great City coalition gathered at-large City Council candidates and the public for the launch of the Next Great City 2, a new agenda aimed at City Council candidates.
The Next Great City coalition is comprised of over 100 civic groups, labor unions, businesses, social service groups and nonprofits to advocate policies that will enhance the environment and strengthen neighborhoods.…
Full StoryState corrections budget points to need for sentencing reform
Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget includes a slight increase for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Under the governor’s budget, the state would spend $1.967 billion on the prison system, compared to $1.955 billion for fiscal year 2010. The state general fund, however, would also have to cover the loss of almost $174 million in federal stabilization funds.
According to a summary in the proposed budget, Pennsylvania pays $30,248 per year to lock up an inmate.…
Full StoryCorbett’s budget axe hits PaSSHE hard yet again
Disclosure: The author is a graduate of a State System of Higher Education university.
Governor Tom Corbett’s Full Story
