Now Legislature May Repeal ‘Year of the Bible’ Resolution? [UPDATED]
Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. This morning, Rep. Mark B. Cohen of Philadelphia commented on a PhillyNow post from January 28, in which we reported that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution declaring 2012 the “Year of the Bible.” He wrote, “The significant outcry against this nonbinding resolution has convinced...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: On Rick Santorum and Tom Corbett
Yesterday was is a big day for Pennsylvania conservatives—I guess! The state’s governor gave another treacherous budget address, in which he stood his ground against raising taxes on millionaires while taking money away from the poor and educational institutions (that’ll teach ‘em for spending all that money on book learnin! Scumbagz!). Later on, Rick...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Gov. Ed Rendell ‘Believer’ in Newspapers’ Ability to Profit
Former Governor Ed Rendell is leading a so-called “civic-minded” effort to buy the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, after news reports surfaced last week saying two hedge funds with major stakes in the Philly Media Network want to sell. “They’re as big a believer as I am that the Philadelphia Media Network can turn a profit, but that’s...
Continue ReadingPennsylvania Manufacturing Jobs Going Up?
Amidst today’s positive national economic report, which found the U.S. jobless rate falling to 8.2 percent (gaining 243,000 new jobs in January) and Mitt Romney releasing a childish “Yeah, but what about the war on religion?” press release, PA politics blog Keystone Politics found some more positive, more local news by way of the conservative Commonwealth...
Continue ReadingCity Council Introduces ‘Land Bank’ Bill—Advocates See Hard Work Ahead
Today, City Council introduced its much-awaited ‘Land Bank’ bill, which would create a “quasi-public entity to hold and manage vacant land” in Philadelphia, utilizing community members, CDCs and government. About 30 people showed up to today’s hearing in support of the bill, most of whom were members of the Coalition to Take Back Public Land. Marcus...
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Philadelphia City Council Says No Deal for Mortgage Lenders
Image: Shutterstock Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution this morning calling on the Federal Taskforce of States Attorneys General to pursue legal action against banks that’ve been involved in mortgage abuse. The Resolution, introduced by Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez, is a direct rebut to the federal government, which has been working out a...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Lawyer Blames Attorney General for Joe Paterno’s Death
We love accused child torturer Jerry Sandusky’s lawyer, Karl Rominger. And not in a good way: He just has that umph! you only see in the slimiest, greasiest of defense attorneys. Now, he’s blaming the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and grand jury report about the investigation into his client, for murdering former Penn State football coach Joe...
Continue ReadingGov. Tom Corbett will ‘Relax’ Food Stamp Asset Test
Looks like Gov. Tom Corbett has finally heard your outrage. Because his administration announced today that the original asset test it announced—in which your bank account would have to contain less than $2,000 if you want to collect food stamps—has been relaxed. Now, it says it wants to impose a $5,500 limit for individuals and $9,000 for households with...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Cardinal Bevilacqua Dead
One day after being deemed competent to serve as a witness in a priest abuse trial, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua is dead. He served as Archbishop of Philadelphia from 1988 to 2003, and was made a cardinal in 1991, though will likely be remembered for his potential role in the scandal. City Controller Alan Butkovitz has reaffirmed the financial viability (or lack...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Corbett Declares ‘Obamacare for All’?
Looks like Pennsylvania may get its Obamacare after all. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has filed its application for $33 million to begin the development and design of a health insurance exchange in the state. When asked about the whole ordeal—especially since Corbett sued to block health care reform while Attorney General—State Insurance Commissioner...
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