Philadelphia's Proposed Teacher Contract: Rock Bottom

Buckle your seatbelts, we're heading into turbulence.  Normally I stay out of Philadelphia politics but this deserves mention.  The Philadelphia School District has issued its opening salvo in contract talks with teachers.  According to "No seniority?  No water fountains?  More on the contract," by Kristen Graham, Philly School Files (Inquirer blog) 2/27.

Check out the list of things schools will no longer guarantee.  Things like water fountains, a sufficient number of textbooks, desks for teachers, private space and locked file cabinets for guidance counselors, librarians, the right for teachers to defend themselves , no limits on class size, no limit on the amount of classes a teacher teaches outside their subject area, and that's not including pay cuts and increased health care costs.  Read Graham's blog post and weep.

What is even sadder is that I doubt these policies, if implemented, will be implemented across the board.  Check back a year from now and see if Masterman High School still has a librarian, textbooks, and desks for teachers.  I'd bet the farm that it will, even if other schools don't.

Graham's post today (Thursday) provides Superintendent William Hite's response ("Hite:  need a more modern, professional teachers' contract").

Bloomberg and the Banks

from our friends at the Agenda Project:

- A recent Bloomberg View study found that the 10 largest U.S. banks receive an annual taxpayer subsidy of around $83 billion, or about 3 cents of every tax dollar. 

- The first year of sequestration cuts will cost around $85 billion or . . . wait for it . . . about 3 cents of every tax dollar.

Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength

This group has been around since 2010 but I just heard about them this week.  Patriotic Millionaires are individuals earning over $1 million a year who think their income group should pay higher taxes.  There were some names there that surprised me.  Rick Steves, whose television show and books have been a favorite in my house for years, is on the list.  Apparently his bliss led him to a sizable income.

FI Hawks Return to Nest

Franklin Institute Hawk fans rejoice!!!  The Hawkwatcher blog reported on Tuesday that the Red Tailed Hawks are returned to the nest at the Franklin Institute.  They are also exhibiting bonded pair behavior.  So it is likely they will rebuild the FI nest and raise their young in it.  They are bringing sticks to the nest to rebuild it.   This is great news!

Changing the Rules to Rig Elections

State Sen. Dominic Pileggi has introduced SB 538.  This bill would change the way Pennsylvania awards its electoral votes.  This affects presidential elections.  Right now Pennsylvania, like all but two other states, awards all its electoral college votes to whichever candidate wins the popular vote in the state.

Pileggi's bill would award two of Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote and divide the other 18 votes by percentage of popular vote results.  Dividing electoral votes was suggested by Republicans (including RNC Chair Reince Priebus):

Republicans alarmed at the apparent challenges they face in winning the White House are preparing an all-out assault on the Electoral College system in critical states, an initiative that would significantly ease the party's path to the Oval Office.

Senior Republicans say they will try to leverage their party's majorities in Democratic-leaning states in an effort to end the winner-take-all system of awarding electoral votes. Instead, bills that will be introduced in several Democratic states would award electoral votes on a proportional basis. ("The GOP's electoral college scheme," by Reid Wilson, National Journal 12/17/2012).

These bills are only being introduced in states that have voted Democratic in recent presidential elections.  Republican states are keeping the "winner take all" standard electoral plan.  Thus Republicans would gain electoral votes in Democratic states without losing any of the votes in Republican states.   

The Republican State Senators in Pennsylvania who supported Pileggi's bill are:

PILEGGI, SCARNATI, WARD, ALLOWAY, MENSCH, EICHELBERGER, RAFFERTY, FOLMER, ERICKSON, GREENLEAF, TOMLINSON, BROWNE AND YAW

If your senator is on the list and you have strong feelings you might get in touch with them.

Gosling and Upton Explain Sequester

Gawker has published an online comic book featuring Ryan Gosling and Kate Upton explaining the upcoming sequester.  Entertaining:  http://gawker.com/5986069/kate-upton-and-ryan-gosling-explain-the-sequester

Sequester Effects on Pennsylvania

This evening the White House released reports on the sequester's impact on individual states.  The Pennsylvania report is several pages long so in lieu of re-posting it, I'm providing the link:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/sequester-factsheets/Pennsylvania.pdf

Check your local papers for more nuanced stories on the report.

Harrisburg's Klan Haven

Rummaging around the Internet this week I stumbled over something I hadn't known before; an odd trivia bit from Pennsylvania's history.  The Ku Klux Klan operated an orphanage in Harrisburg that burned in 1926.    Apparently a new building was constructed.  The orphanage was called Klan Haven.  If you search Google books you can find some background information on it.  Who knew?

Whatever Happened to Those Blog Features

There are a few standard blog features that have fallen by the wayside.  Perhaps some explanation is in order:

PA in the WSJ:  I used to note all the Pennsylvania-related stories in a week's worth of Wall Street Journals. For some time most of the news was bad.  No one likes reporting bad news, so I stopped.  Maybe I'll pick it up again later.

Bain in PA:  I started a series of posts about companies based in PA that received significant funding from Bain Capitol.  The first few were easy enough that was low-hanging fruit.  The others required a greater understanding of financial matters than I possess.  So I stopped.

Campaign finance reports:  Last year was a busy at work so there was less time for blogging.  Also there were not only the standard campaign reports, but some candidates had more than one committee.  Following    all the relevant committees would have required more time than I had available.  Maybe this year it will be more feasible.

Free Admission at Constitution Center on Sunday

On Sunday, February 24, the National Constitution Center is welcoming the public, free of charge, to enjoy the museum.  This includes the main exhibition The Story of We the People, the multimedia presentation Freedom Rising, Signer's Hall, and the special exhibit on the Rise and Fall of Prohibition.  There are also special programs for African American History Month, including a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln and a copy of the first printing of the Dred Scott Decision.  The free admission is courtsey of PwC.com

I've visited the NCC, most  recently this past fall.  Their main exhibit is interesting and there are a lot of interactive spots along the way.  You can sit in a jury box, go into a voting booth, see yourself taking the presidential oath of office, listening stations for major events in US history.  Kids like it and I did as well.  The Freedom Rising show includes live actors, video, audio, and great visual effects.  It's a great show.  The Signer's Hall has life sized statues of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  Ben Franklin's hand is shiny from people shaking it.  I just have one note, for Dr. Who fans -- don't blink while in the Signer's Hall.  You'll know what I mean when you see it.

If you don't have other plans for Sunday, make a point of taking advantage of this free offer.

Dress Code for the PA Legislature

Jenice Armstrong wrote an article for the Philadelphia Daily News today, "Pa. state rep. gets snubbed for violating dress code."  The article focuses on the refusal of the representative standing in for the speaker to acknowledge a representative who was wearing African garb.  Apparently there is a dress code for state reps and men are supposed to wear a suit and tie.  

I noticed this sentence:

Brown's outfit was within the dress code for female representatives, which requires them to wear a dress or skirt.

Seriously??!!! Women in the state house can't wear pants to work in Harrisburg?  I am flabbergasted.  That's just bizarre.  In the depths of winter, on a day like today, if a female representative knows she will have to be out in the elements for part of the day can't wear nicely tailored wool slacks to keep warm?

No wonder so few women run for state rep.  One hopes the rule book allows women to drive and own property, but maybe not ....

White House Interns for Spring 2013 Announced

The White House Internship Program announced today the participants for the Spring 2013 session. The mission of the program is to make the White House accessible to future leaders around the nation and to prepare those devoted to public service for future leadership opportunities.

A White House Internship provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. Interns work in one of several White House departments, including the Domestic Policy Council, the National Economic Council, the Office of Cabinet Affairs, the Office of Chief of Staff, the Office of Communications, the Office of Digital Strategy, the Office of the First Lady, the Office of Legislative Affairs, the Office of Management and Administration, the Office of Presidential Correspondence, the Office of Presidential Personnel, the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Office of Scheduling and Advance, the Office of the Vice President, the Office of the White House Counsel, and the Office of White House Fellows.

Additional information about the White House Internship Program is available here: www.whitehouse.gov/internships.  The application for the Fall 2013 program is available on the website.

Interns from Pennsylvania or attending Pennsylvania colleges:

Cho, Grace Hometown: Vienna, VA; The Pennsylvania State University, PA
Davey, Sarah Hometown: Holland, PA; American University, DC
Feltz, Luke Hometown: Williamston, MI; Gettysburg College, PA
Jones, Marisa Hometown: Coopersburg, PA; The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, PA
Maisel, Michael Hometown: Philadelphia, PA; New York University, NY
Mayers, Katarina Hometown: San Marino, CA; Villanova University, PA
Nembhard, Travis Hometown: Commack, NY; Villanova University School of Law, PA
Richardson, Camille Hometown: Berwyn, PA; Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
Schermer, Phillip Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA; University of Michigan, MI
Venkataramanan, Rajiv Hometown: Philadelphia, PA; Georgetown University Law Center, DC

Patrick Murphy on Guns

Another MSNBC blog entry from the former PA congressman:

"Message to Congress:  It's been two months since Sandy Hook.  Act!" by Patrick Murphy,  MSNBC 2/12/2013

Sequester in PA

from the inbox:

Study: Sequester Would Cut 78,454 Jobs in Pennsylvania. According to a 2012 study by George Mason Professor Stephen Fuller, the automatic spending cuts affecting Department of Defense and non-Department of Defense discretionary spending would lead to significant job losses in every state.
·         Sequester Would Cost Pennsylvania $4 Billion in Total Lost Income. [The Economic Impact of the Budget Control Act of 2011 on DOD & non-DOD Agencies, Professor Stephen Fuller, 7/17/12]

Study: Sequester Would Slash Critical Maternal and Child Health Services. The American Academy of Pediatrics studied the impacts that sequestration will have on Pennsylvania and projected that:

·         21,100 mothers and young children would lose access to food assistance and critical health care.

·         8,250 fewer children would receive vaccinations.

·         95,400 fewer women, children and families would receive critical preventive health care.

·         $160 million would be cut from the NIH’s research projects based in Pennsylvania 

[American Academy of Pediatrics, 10/1/12]
 Study: Sequester Eliminates $91 Million in Education Funding, Affecting Thousands of Pennsylvania Students. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analyzed how sequestration would impact education in Pennsylvania and concluded that the state would lose $91,931,000 in federal funding for critical education programs. These cuts include:

·         $21.8 million would be cut from special education funding, affecting 13,410 students.

·         $2.2 million would be cut from grants for career and technical education, affecting 8,330 students.

·         $2.1 million would be cut from need-based grants that would help 68,500 low-income Pennsylvanians pay for college. 
[NEA, February 2013]

Auditor General Cuts Costs

modified press release:

 In his first month in office, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today said he is already reducing costs, improving efficiency in the face of budget and technology changes. 

“I said in my swearing-in speech that we would start by getting our own house in order and we are doing just that,” DePasquale said. “We’ve already made changes to printing practices that will save more than 3.3 million sheets of paper annually — that’s enough paper to line the PA Turnpike from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, twice."

In the past month, the department began cutting operational costs and conducting a comprehensive review of its out-dated information technology infrastructure.

Aside from reducing printing and paper cost, DePasquale highlighted a variety of actions to reduce costs and improve efficiency, including: 
• Reducing the department’s fleet by 44 automobiles; • Reducing travel expenses; • Reviewing all leases to identify additional efficiencies and cost reductions; and • Eliminating the purchase of all hard-copy newspapers and the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 

This all sounds great except that last one -- our local press needs our support, and the online versions do not contain everything in the print versions, at least unless you pay subscription fees.

Food in Jars: For You or a Friend

Local food blogger Marissa McClellan has published a book on home canning called Food in Jars, based on her blog with the same name.  It is full of recipes that can be made in the smallest of kitchens, and designed for small households, perfect or urbanites and suburbanites.

I went to high school in a rural setting and a lot of the farm wives had elaborate canning sessions to store away a year's worth of green beens or pickled beets for the winter.  Food in Jars is a little more cosmpolitan with the standard jams and jellies but also things like cranberry ketchup, sweet cherry butter, basic picked jalapeno peppers, and honey roasted peanut butter.  There is an entire chapter on tomatoes.   Most recipes make between 3 and 6 jars.

No special equipment is required beyond what one would find in a basic kitchen set up (other than the jars and lids, which you can pick up in stores), though a jar lifter and a wide mouth funnel would come in handy.  For an inexpensive shower or housewarming gift a few friends could get a themed gift of the book and those two pieces of equipment.

For the non-cook or aspirational cook, just looking at the pictures is fun.  I especially like the ribbon used to tie the jar rings together.  The book reminds me of the homey smells of my adolescence and the planning and resilience personified by the rows of canned food in my mother-in-law's cellar.

It's a good book by an excellent local author.  Available on Amazon (print and Kindle) and likely in local bookstores.

Will PA See Downton Abbey's Next Season?

Uh oh.  After the season finale of Downton Abbey this evening there was an alarming comment.  Patrick Stoner went into a full fledged fund drive.  He specifically mentioned that WHYY had lost funding from Pennsylvania.  He mentioned it several times.  I thought he was about to cry, and not only because he just found out that Matthew died.  Now the whole world knows our shame.

I am a WHYY member and donated an additional $100 to the organization during the year.  Note to the governor and legislature -- don't mess with Downton Abbey.

Prez O's Plan: Ensure Hard Work Leads to a Decent Living

from the inbox:

The President’s Plan to Ensure Hard Work Leads to a Decent Living 

There’s a basic bargain in America.  It says that no matter who you are or where you’re from, if you’re willing to work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to find a good job, feel secure in your community, and support a family.  President Obama has fought for the middle class, and has made historic investments in making sure that there are ladders of opportunity for those working hard to make it to the middle class.   

The President’s plan builds on the progress we’ve made over the last four years to expand opportunity for every American and every community willing to do the work to lift themselves up.  But there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges we face.  It will take a collaborative effort—between business and federal, state, and local officials; faith-based and non-profit organizations; kids and parents—to ensure that hard work leads to a decent living for every American.  The President’s plan:

 ·         Rewards hard work by raising the minimum wage to $9.00: Right now, a full-time minimum wage worker makes $14,500 a year.  That means too many Americans who are putting in an honest, hard day’s work are living in poverty.  That’s unacceptable.  The President’s plan raises the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00, which would directly boost wages for 15 million workers and reduce poverty and inequality.

·         Provides high-quality preschool for every child: Let’s give every child the fair shot he or she deserves.  For America to succeed in the 21st century, we must have the most dynamic, educated workforce in the world, and that education has to start early in life. But today, most four-year-olds aren’t in a high-quality public preschool program.  The President’s plan partners with states to expand high-quality preschool to every child.

 ·         Partners with communities to help them rebuild and put people back to work: A child’s zip code should never determine her destiny; but today, the neighborhood she grows up in impacts her odds of graduating high school, her health outcomes, and her lifetime economic opportunities. This year, the Administration will begin to partner with 20 communities that were hardest-hit by the recession to help get them back on their feet.  Working with local leaders, the President’s plan targets resources at creating jobs, public safety, education, and housing.

·         Creates pathways to jobs for all Americans: The President’s plan offers incentives to companies that hire Americans who’ve got what it takes to fill a job opening, but have been out of work so long that no one will give them a chance anymore.  His plan also supports summer and year-round jobs for low-income youth.  This is in addition to his plan to equip Americans with the skills they need for the high-tech, high-wage jobs of the 21^st century.

·         Expands early childhood opportunity for all Americans: In addition to providing access to high-quality preschool for every child, the President is proposing to make a significant investment in early learning opportunities for our youngest children—birth through age three—by expanding Early Head Start, child care, and other health and education programs.

·         Strengthens families: The President is proposing to remove financial deterrents to marriage for low-income couples; as well as continuing to support the critical role that fathers play in enhancing the intellectual, emotional, and financial well-being of their sons and daughters.

Big Bloggy Welcome to World Class Blog

Our friends at the Economy League are posting at their World Class Blog, with weekly entries leading up to the World Class Philadelphia Summit on March 18.  Check them out at :  http://worldclassgreaterphila.org/blog

College Scorecards

As mentioned in the President's State of the Union address, the Department of Education is now posting scorecards for the nation's colleges and universities.  The URL is whitehouse.gov/scorecard

Each report contains:

The College Scorecard provides students and families with clear information through an interactive tool that lets them choose among any number of options based on their individual needs – including location, size, campus setting, and degree and major programs. Each Scorecard includes five key pieces of data about a college: costs, graduation rate, loan default rate, average amount borrowed, and employment. These data will be updated periodically, and the Department plans to publish information on earnings potential in the coming year.