PA Legislature introduces bipartisan Nondiscrimination Act to protect LGBT citizens
History was made this morning as a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania legislators introduced two bills—House Bill 300 and Senate Bill 300, the Pennsylvania Nondiscrimination Act—which would put an end to discrimination throughout Pennsylvania as it affects the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Several members of the Legislature, as well as advocates,...
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Meet indie media activist-turned-Traffic Court candidate Inja Coates
Inja Coates and Fergie (via Facebook) West Philly resident Inja Coates wants to be a traffic court judge. And so do a lot of people. Twenty-seven candidates in all (25 Democrats, of which Coates is one; two Republicans) for three vacant positions. The difference is, she says, is that she’s coming at the office from an outsider community activist and media organizer...
Continue ReadingUnion hits Corbett on liquor privatization; says will ‘destroy business’
Governor Tom Corbett says he wants the state Senate to give him a liquor privatization bill by June 30th. And until that time, the union representing liquor store workers, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1776, will be airing television and radio commercials calling an end to the state monopoly a “reckless scheme” that will “raise our...
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PhillyNow Calendar: Civic Events, May 6-10
Did you really want to weigh in on Philly getting a second city casino but were just too bamboozled to head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center last month to say anything about it? No worries, young problem gambler! Because there’s another chance to sound off—this week! Wednesday!—at Lincoln Financial Field. This is your last chance, so get on it. And...
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Meet Chris Hoeppner, the Socialist Workers Party candidate for city controller
Standing next to a table full of books with titles like Coal Miners on Strike, The Communist Manifesto and Trade Unions, Chris Hoeppner was going out of his way on May Day to speak to whomever would listen in Elmwood Park. Come November, he plans on running for City Controller, a job that’s come under much scrutiny over the last few months as the race between...
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Update: Former Mob Boss Ralph Natale Sues the Feds
Former Philadelphia mob boss Ralph Natale (Kyle Cassidy) Last summer, I sat down for an exclusive interview with former Philadelphia mob boss Ralph Natale—released from prison in 2011—at an undisclosed location. Looking dapper and relaxed and sporting a tan as deep as his leather loafers, Natale disclosed, for the first time, that he was going blind and that...
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Southwest Philly May Day Attendees Call for Revival of Labor Politics
Charlie McCollester speaks at Philly May Day A pro-labor Americana band played on while Jim Moran, former director of the Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health, talked May Day. “I found out about May Day and its history back in the early 70s while in labor school for the auto workers in Black Lake, Michigan,” said Moran. “I was in...
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Equality Forum: Q&A with Rabbi Nancy Wiener
An author and teacher on many issues within the Jewish faith, New York City-based Rabbi Nancy Wiener was instrumental in crafting a resolution on officiating ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples at the Central Conference of American Rabbis. She will be speaking at the Equality Forum’s Religious Colloquy this week and PW spoke with her about her various ventures...
Continue ReadingPA House Declared Today ‘National Fast Day’ Because of Effort to ‘Erase’ God
We hope you’re not too hungry, because last month the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a resolution calling April 30th “National Fast Day.” The uncontroversial resolution was introduced by Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny; of ‘Year of the Bible’ fame) and is meant to remind Pennsylvanians to thank their God for his blessings and remember that...
Continue ReadingGov. Corbett Implies Pennsylvania Unemployed Are Drug-Addicted
During a recent appearance on the Pennsylvania Matters radio show, Governor Tom Corbett attempted to explain away Pennsylvania’s dismal job numbers by suggesting the state’s unemployed are drug addicted and cannot pass a urine sample test required for employment. “The other area is, there are many employers that say we’re looking for people but...
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