DAILY GRINDER: Gov. Tom Corbett Signs Shale Bill in Private
Gov. Tom Corbett finally signed that Marcellus Shale extraction fee, in the privacy of his office last night. The final law was 174 pages long and establishes setbacks between wells and waterways/buildings. The most “controversial” part (because it could be construed as a “tax” and Corbett promised not to raise or create any new taxes) is the per-well...
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 ReadingDAILY GRINDER: GOP Cries Foul After their Gerrymandered Map Gets Thrown Out
See what happens when you act like children? The Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the GOP’s legislative redistricted map because it was redrawn in pretty outrageous ways to favor a reddened Pennsylvania in U.S. Congress. Even more than it already was. Now, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Max Baer says it’s possible the 2012 elections will be voted...
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Report: Mayor Nutter, Council, Other City Officials Inaugurated
Today’s inauguration, which cemented the Nov. 8th elections was anything but city-like. For one, the Academy of Music event started on time – 10 a.m. For another thing, it was all smiles. I live-tweeted the thing earlier, but here’s another rundown in another spot on the Internet with full sentences, for those who missed it. (OK, mostly full sentences.) Toward...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Gov. Corbett Decries Liquor ‘Privatization’ Plan
You think it, Tom Corbett says it! (OK, his press secretary does. This time. Sort of.) “The governor wants to privatize the LCB,” he said yesterday, as reports of House Bill 11’s new “privatization-lite” language swept the Commonwealth. According to the amended PLCB privatization bill in the House, the LCB would keep its state stores, though...
Continue ReadingDAILY GRINDER: Gov. Corbett Correctly Defends Paterno Firing
Tom Corbett went on Fox News Sunday, Meet the Press and This Week yesterday to discuss the “Penn State University coddling a child rapist and those who are aware of them scandal.,” or whatever they’re calling it now. Corbett correctly defended the university for firing Child Rapist Protector Joe Paterno this week. The governor also said he wants to strengthen...
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Another Florida Loophole Bill…Passed in Council
While you were out enjoying your sunny Thursday afternoon, sitting at a TGI-Irish bar near the open windows (if you were lucky, that is), City Council was working, man! They once again passed a bill that would close the Florida loophole. As per WHYY, this new bill, while similar to the one passed on February 3, will not only allow Councilman Clarke to stay in...
Continue Reading‘Florida Loophole’ To Be Dealt With At The Local Level?
City Councilman Darrell Clarke is doing something, at some point. We don’t want to get too excited about it, yet, but nevertheless, like we said in that last sentence, it’s something. He’s proposing putting an end to the “Florida loophole” – at least in Philadelphia. WHYY reports that, “If the loophole is closed it will almost certainly be challenged...
Continue ReadingCouncil Members Green and Sanchez Boost Staff Pay
Councilmembers Bill Green and Maria Quiñones-Sánchez have awarded raises to several staff members, Catherine Lucey reported yesterday on the Daily News’ Philly Clout blog. According to Lucey: Councilman Bill Green this month gave raises to five of his staffers, including a $30,000 bump to his Chief of Staff Sophie Bryan, bringing her salary to $100,000....
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PhillyNow Applies for the Police Advisory Commission
This morning we testified in front of City Council as part of our application to join the Police Advisory Commission (PAC). The PAC is an oversight body with the power to conduct investigations on citizen complaints and to provide recommendations for action and reforms to the police. Its mission is “to improve the relationship between the police department...
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