Bill Removes State Supported Schools from Open Records Act

A bill introduced in the PA State Senate, Senate Bill 457, removes the state supported universities from part of the Open Records law.  It would exempt them from reporting certain types of information, such as salaries of highly-paid employees.  This is a step backwards. changes the status of state supported universities under the Open Records Law.  Since the entire text of the law is not included it is difficult to tell what, exactly the change means.

Bill sponsors are:

INTRODUCED BY BLAKE, DINNIMAN, WARD, FOLMER, TEPLITZ, STACK,
WAUGH, MENSCH, ALLOWAY, FONTANA, ERICKSON, FARNESE,
VULAKOVICH, VOGEL, BREWSTER, SOLOBAY, BROWNE, WASHINGTON,
BAKER, BRUBAKER AND FERLO, APRIL 1, 2013

Two More "Being Biden" Recordings

Vice President Joe Biden has added "vol" 2 and 3 to his Being Biden site.  These are brief (most are a minute and half long) recordings of Biden talking about a particular topic.  One of the recent additions is on meeting the new pope and talking with two nuns afterwards; the other is on the women's basketball team at the University of Delaware.

Support Center for Child Advocates Announces Annual Benefit & Auction

The Support Center for Child Advocates, in the business of providing pro bono and social service advocacy for children for 37 years, is having their annual benefit reception and auction on April 10th.  Details online.  There are some intriguing items in their auction list.

SEPTA Wants You to Read on the Train

a cool idea from the inbox:

SEPTA customers know that a good book and a great cup of coffee make their commute even better. Thanks to a partnership with SEPTA, the Free Library of Philadelphia and Dunkin’ Donuts, throughout the month of April passengers will only have to make one stop to “enrich their ride”: SEPTA’s Suburban Station.

On April 2, what is believed to be the nation’s first virtual library at a train station was unveiled on 76 advertising boards on Suburban Station’s platforms. The “library” — which is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts —features books and podcasts available for download from the Free Library.

SEPTA riders can access the books and podcasts by scanning QR codes or logging on to the Free Library’s website. The virtual library at Suburban Station coincides with National Library Week, held April 14-20, 2013.  “We are excited to create awareness for the Free Library’s digital collection by offering easy access to our customers via the virtual library,” said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey.  “The train or bus, especially on longer trips, can provide the perfect setting for sitting down with a book for an extended period of time. And the digital library allows commuters to access a great number of books on the go.”

The virtual library at Suburban Station is just a small sample of the Free Library’s complete digital collection.

“We are proud to partner with SEPTA and Dunkin’ Donuts to bring the virtual library to Suburban Station,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library. “The Free Library’s vast digital resources include access to more than 80,000 ebooks, 8,000 audiobooks and 1,000 author podcasts. We are committed to making as many of our incredible resources available online at freelibrary.org as possible, so that our customers can access great materials wherever they are—including on their daily commutes!”

The virtual library will also include a QR code for commuters to download the Dunkin’ Donuts app for mobile payments and local offers.

In addition to the virtual library at Suburban Station, SEPTA and its partners will recognize National Library Week and the perfect combination of reading while commuting by sponsoring the “What are you reading?” contest. Through April 16, the public can submit the titles of the books they are currently enjoying to SEPTA’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/septaphilly) and the @SEPTA_Social Twitter feed using #enrichyourride. Three entries will be selected at random to win one of the following prizes:

• Grand Prize: A monthly SEPTA pass, Dunkin’ Donuts gift pack and a book and two front row passes to “Obsessed: America’s Food Addiction—and My Own”, a conversation with Mika Brzezinski and featuring Joe Scarborough, at the Parkway Central Library on May 7 at 7:30 p.m.

• Prize #1: Two front row passes to “How to Be Black”, a conversation with Baratunde Thurston, at the Parkway Central Library on April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

• Prize #2: Two front row passes to “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail”, a conversation with Cheryl Strayed, at the Parkway Central Library on April 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Winners will be notified on Tuesday, April 16. The “What are you reading?” contest is designed to start a social media “conversation” about what titles are trending with SEPTA customers and to recommend selections for riders who are looking for new books.

The public will be also able to explore the Free Library’s full digital offerings on April 16 when the Techmobile — a “hot spot on wheels”—is stationed outside of SEPTA’s City headquarters at 1234 Market Street from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Library staff will help the public register for library cards, download digital materials and learn more about the Free Library’s online offerings.
For more information about the virtual library at Suburban Station, National Libraries Week and the Free Library, visit www.freelibrary.org. For more information about the “What are you reading?” contest and SEPTA, visit www.septa.org.

PA Mention in "The Right Leans In"

Lee Fang has an interesting article in the April 13th issue of The Nation.  "The Right Leans In" outlines state level conservative infrastructure, organizations and efforts.  Pennsylvania has a mention on the 4th screen.

Book Review: Rebuilding the News

Anderson, C. W.  Rebuilding the News:  Metropolitan Journalism in the Digital Age.  Philadelphia:  Temple University Press, 2013.

This is the first (that I know of), but surely not the last, book on the changing state of journalism in Philadelphia.  Anderson was allowed into the Inquirer and Daily News, interviewed some local bloggers (full disclosure:  to the best of my knowledge I did not have any contact with him), talked with others involved in local digital and price newsgathering and writing.

The first two chapters review local journalism in Philadelphia from 1997 to 2008.  This is a good historical overview.

The next two review the digital age.  Chapter four takes one specific incident and examines how the story spreads from amateur reports to formal coverage.

The last two chapters discuss problems and developments in the online world, and the fallout from financial issues at the local papers.  Our reporter friends work long hours for little pay.

Several local online personalities, Amy Z. Quinn, Karl Martino, and Chris Satullo, make appearances in the book.  It was interesting to read how all the various worlds of print and digital reporters, formal and citizen reporting, interact and influence each other.

This books, like far too many that I have read recently suffers from the lack of good copy editing.  The author has some fascinating stories to tell.  After reading the book I am more convinced than ever that Philadelphia needs a robust independent newspaper (and online equivalent).  

Sen. Casey on Marriage Equality

from the inbox:

Pennsylvania State Representative Brian Sims (D – Phila.) today applauded Senator Bob Casey for coming out in support of same-sex marriage. Rep. Sims had just last week penned an open letter to the Senator urging him to stand up and voice his support for LGBT equality. 

“Senator Casey is a thoughtful and contemplative man who today not only listened to the millions of voices of Pennsylvanians calling for him to support same-sex marriage, but strongly voiced that support as well,” Rep. Sims said. “I am pleased to see Senator Casey responding to the voices of his constituents and am eager to work with him in reaching out to the hundreds of thousands of LGBT Pennsylvanians who can now count on his support for LGBT equality.”

On Thursday of last week, Rep. Sims, Pennsylvania’s first openly gay elected state legislator, penned an open letter to Senator Casey urging him to take a stand and voice his support for LGBT equality. 

“Senator, the same people who voted for me, voted for you, and I am so excited to report that a vast majority of them now support LGBT equality.” Rep. Sims wrote in his open letter. “So too do a majority of your Democratic colleagues. In fact, as of [March 28] you are one of only nine Democrats in the Senate who does not support marriage equality.”

 Along with Rep. Sims, a chorus of hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians flooded Senator Casey’s offices with letters and phone calls asking him to support same-sex marriage in efforts led by Equality Pennsylvania, Keystone Progress, and Moveon.org.

PA Gun Safety Ads

Two organizations are starting new gun safety ad campaigns in Pennsylvania

Vote Vets, which has over 220,000 members has an ad supporting universal background checks for gun sales.  It is airing in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and North Dakota.  The ad, narrated by Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient Glenn Kunkel, is available on You Tube.  Kunkel holds and fires an AR-15 rifle and says "I had to pass a background check to join the Marine Corps, before I could carry a weapon similar to this one in Iraq.  Here at home, anyone can purchase this weapon, no questions asked.”

Mayors Against Illegal Guns is also starting an ad campaign, encouraging people to contact their elected representatives while they are home from DC over the spring recess.  Other organizations, including Organizing for Action and American for Responsible Solutions, working with MAIG, held several events and petition drives in support of background checks.  They are also sponsoring ads, which can be viewed online.  Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Deputy Police Commissioner Keven Bethel and gun violence victim Joe Davis of Magee Rehabilition gathered today as part of MAIG's National Day to Demand Action to end gun violence.

Open Letter from Brian Sims to Sen. Bob Casey

from the inbox:

PA State Rep. Brian Sims issues open letter to U.S. Senator Bob Casey on issues of LGBT equality(Full text of letter below)

 Good morning Senator Casey, 

As you know, this week saw the two most important cases in LGBT civil rights history argued before the Supreme Court. These cases, even if not decided fully in favor of LGBT civil rights are still going to be the foundation for all equality legislation and litigation to follow, which will ultimately lead to full LGBT equality in the next decade. Today is the morning after.

I am writing to you this morning not as a friend, not as a constituent, nor as a former volunteer. While I am all of these things, I am also a State Representative in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and one whose rights as an openly gay man are being directly impacted by your silence, especially in the face of so much support from your colleagues.

Like countless Americans and millions of Pennsylvanians, I watched these last two days as my fundamental rights as an LGBT American have been at the front and center of the national debate. In fact, that’s exactly where we want them to be; in the public eye, at kitchen tables, at coffee counters, and in conference rooms from Scranton to Santa Fe. 

The next few months before the decisions are announced mark the most critical time in LGBT civil rights history. These cases are our Dred Scott, our Loving v. Virginia, perhaps even our Brown v. Board of Education. To the delight of so many, the people of this great nation are standing up with voices stentorian to proclaim their support for equality in record numbers. 

Senator Casey, seven years ago I joined hundreds of thousands of LGBT Pennsylvanians in support of your candidacy in an effort to remove Senator Rick Santorum, one of the most anti-LGBT legislators in modern history, from public office. We worked tirelessly and we celebrated your victory, even as many of us struggled to reconcile our support for you with our fundamental beliefs in women’s reproductive rights, beliefs which you do not share. 

We have believed since you were sworn in that when the time was right, when it really mattered, you would be there for equality. The time is right and we need you to be here. 

But your voice is silent. And I am angry. 

Senator, I know you. I know how we have interacted and I know that you have respect for me as a gay man. More importantly, I know that LGBT people surround you in virtually every area of your life, personal and professional. You have never had a shortage of interaction with the LGBT community and that is what makes it so confusing that you have not made up your mind on equality. Or have you? 

Several weeks ago your colleague, Senator Portman, very eloquently announced his support for marriage equality after coming to terms with his gay son. The Senator actually said that he’d never given the issue much thought before being confronted with it at his kitchen table. Once confronted, he came to the conclusion that LGBT people like his son deserve to have their rights recognized. To be clear, Senator Portman is a national figure in a political party that has never supported LGBT civil rights; nor had he ever done so personally. Yet with those political obstacles, and that personal history, he was still able to come to the conclusion that equality was morally and politically necessary. 

Even some of the most conservative members of the Republican Party are now more supportive of equality than you, based solely on their personal experiences with just a single LGBT family member. For lesser men than you Senator, with far less experience with LGBT Americans, it took only one gay person to make them speak out against the conventions of their parties and their faiths. 

I know that you are a man of deep faith and that your faith guides many of your life’s decisions. I also know that faith itself evolves. Faith has been used by the opponents of virtually every civil rights battle in our history to impede progress and evade equality. Yet as each battle ended, we did not look back and say that the faith was wrong, just perhaps the faithful. Today, Catholic Americans support LGBT equality at greater levels than even the U.S. population as a whole. 

Senator, the same people who voted for me, voted for you, and I am so excited to report that a vast majority of them now support LGBT equality. So too do a majority of your Democratic colleagues. In fact, as of this morning you are one of only nine Democrats in the Senate who does not support marriage equality! 

You have had more opportunities, and come from more supportive communities than so many others who have voiced their support in these critical weeks. History, as well as your constituents, is demanding that you speak now on this issue and I hope that your conscience compels you to rise to the occasion. 

Please, Senator, don’t wait any longer to take a stand. Show and voice your support for full equality for LGBT Americans today.

Sincerely,

Rep. Brian Sims

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

182^nd Legislative District 

Philly Traffic Court Candidates

Two articles today on candidates for Philadelphia Traffic Court

From the Inquirer:  Chris Brennan writes "Four traffic court candidates removed from ballot, 11 withdraw."

A little more detail can be found in Tom Ferrick's "A great job if you can get it," AXIS Philly

PA House: Separate Insurance for Vasectomies

The PA House has introduced three bills that, to my quick reading, seem to cover the exact same thing.  HB 1049, HB 1050, HB 1051 all concern insurance coverage for contraception, sterilization and abortifacient drugs and devices.  All three are six pages long but they don't end on the same line number so there are differences in the text of the three.  One requires that any insurance companies operating in the public sphere offering coverage for the items mentioned above, also provide an insurance policy that is identical except for the exclusion of those items. One says people have to request coverage for those items.  Third says insurance companies are not required to cover these items.  The meat of the bills don't start until page 5; the first four pages are diatribes about the founding fathers.

I have two thoughts on this.  

The first is that, with the exception of vasectomies, all of the items listed affect women's bodies.  I wonder if all hysterectomies would be considered sterilization?  What about women who are passed menopause and can no longer have children, would a D&C or a hysterectomy for other reasons still fall under this bill if it became a law?  What about young women who hysterectomies because of family health issues -- would they have to specifically request coverage for such an event?    I have no medical training so this is all ignorant conjecture on my part but these bills do make me wonder.  Men would lose the ability to decide they didn't want any more children, unless they were going to be celibate.  

The second is that we do not have a state religion in this country.  I understand that some people do not believe in birth control of any kind, and this objection is primarily based on religious beliefs.  There are a lot of religions in the US and a lot of branches of Christianity.  Should Quakers be exempt from paying taxes that support the military?  My branch of Christianity is "dry," no alcohol at church functions and people tend not to drink much at home.  My annual alcohol intake is maybe  2 glasses of wine.  In wine there may be truth but there's a lot of trouble, too.  How many crimes on the news are alcohol-based?  Quite a few I would guess.  You could close down all the liquor stores and take it off the menu in restaurants, close the bars, and I would be just as happy.  Ditto with gambling.  But I don't think my beliefs should be forced upon anyone else.

These bills say that some people's religious beliefs outweigh others.  They also do not distinguish between medical procedures used for contraceptive purposes and those same medical procedures used for other purposes.  Hopefully they won't move out of committee.

DePasquale on Booze

from the inbox, March 21:

 Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today issued the following statement on legislation moving through the General Assembly to change the way alcohol is sold in Pennsylvania: 

“I am looking forward to working with Senators to ensure that any changes to the Liquor Code include transparency and accountability measures that the Department of the Auditor General’s office can bring to the issue. Regardless of how and where alcohol is sold in Pennsylvania, independent audits are essential to ensure complete compliance with conditions established by law.” 

The House of Representatives today passed House Bill 790 to allow private retailers to sell alcohol in Pennsylvania. The bill now moves to the Senate which is scheduled to return to Harrisburg on April 8.

Two Politicos to Lenfest Foundation Board

Peter Dobrin wrote "Lenfest Foundation maps out a path to its end," in the March 25th Inquirer.  I noted that two of the people appointed to the board have political ties.  Joe Sestak, who represented Pennsylvania's 7th district in Congress for two terms is on the board.  The new chairman is Dr. Keith Leaphart who briefly challenged Congressman Bob Brady in a primary election.  Good luck to both of them, and the others on the board.

Prez O Statement on Passover

from the inbox:

As we prepare for our fifth Seder in the White House, Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Passover here in America, in the State of Israel, and around the world.

Tonight, Jewish families will gather with family and friends to celebrate with songs, wine, and food. They will read from the Haggadah, and retell the story that makes this holiday so powerful.

Last week, I visited the state of Israel for the third time, my first as President. I reaffirmed our countries’ unbreakable bonds with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Peres. I had the chance to speak directly with young Israelis about the future they wanted for their country, their region, and the world. And I saw once again how the dream of true freedom found its full expression in those words of hope from Hatikvah, lihyot ‘am chofshi be’artzeinu, “To be a free people in our land.”
Passover is a celebration of the freedom our ancestors dreamed of, fought for, and ultimately won. But even as we give thanks, we are called to look to the future. We are reminded that responsibility does not end when we reach the promised land, it only begins. As my family and I prepare to once again take part in this ancient and powerful tradition, I am hopeful that we can draw upon the best in ourselves to find the promise in the days that lie ahead, meet the challenges that will come, and continuing the hard work of repairing the world. Chag sameach.

Montco County-Wide Nondiscrimination Ordinance?

from the inbox:

Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Commissioners, has instructed the county solicitor to assemble a work group to explore the possibility of the county passing a county-wide non-discrimination ordinance. One of the issues that the group assembled by Solicitor Ray McGarry will study is whether the county has the ability to pass such an ordinance under the Class 2A County Code.  Most of the counties that have passed similar ordinances are "home rule" counties.  Montgomery County is not. "This is an issue of basic fairness for all Montgomery County residents, and the action I took today will allow us to explore the possibility of enacting such an ordinance," Shapiro said at the bi-weekly county commissioners meeting. "Such an ordinance would ensure the rights of every county resident, including those who aren't protected now like the LGBT community," Shapiro said.

Obama on Affordable Care Act Anniversary

from the inbox, President Obama's statement on the 3rd anniversary of signing the Affordable Care Act:

Three years ago today, I signed into law the principle that in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one should go broke just because they get sick. The Affordable Care Act will give hard-working, middle class families the health care security they deserve and protect every American from the worst insurance company abuses.  Already, millions of seniors are saving $600 a year on their prescription drugs. Millions of young people have been able to stay on their family’s health plan until age 26.  Preventive care, like mammograms for women and wellness visits for seniors, is covered free of charge. Most importantly, for the sake of our fiscal future, the growth of health care costs is beginning to slow. In fact, last year, Medicaid costs fell for the first time in decades. 

Because of the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies will no longer have unchecked power to cancel your policy, deny you coverage, or charge women more than men.  And soon, no American will ever again be denied care or charged more due to a pre-existing condition, like cancer or even asthma.

 Later this year, millions of Americans will finally have the opportunity to buy the same kind of health care Members of Congress give themselves. Beginning in October, you'll be able to sign up for new private health care plans through a new health insurance marketplace where private plans will compete to save middle class families money.  Through these marketplaces, Americans and small business owners will be able to choose from a menu of health plans that fit their budget and provide quality coverage they can count on when they need it most.  If you like the plan you have, you can keep it. If you cannot afford a plan, you or your small business may get financial assistance to make it affordable. 

There's more work to do to implement this law, and I look forward to working with leaders of both parties to help Americans save money on health care and extend the security of coverage to every family. 

Local Women Writers Update

A few notes about local(ish) women writers.

Sheila Connolly has published the third in her "Museum Mystery" series, set in Philadelphia.  Fire Engine Dead is the new book.

Sandy Hingston, of Philadelphia Magazine, has an article in the latest issue of More magazine, on family finances.  It isn't available online but the issue should be on the newstand.  Looking (fruitlessly) for an Internet version, I found out that Hingston has published a number of books under her own name and two pseudonyms.

Victoria Thompson, author of the Gaslight mystery series, is publishing her latest book, Murder in Chelsea, on May 1.

Required Reading for Sen. Toomey

Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey commented recently that government benefits were too generous and people would rather take a handout than work ("Toomey:  welfare spending too generous," by Jonathan Tamari, Inquirer 3/07/13).  Sen. Toomey should read Alfred Lubrano's article "Of big cities, Phila. worst for people in deep poverty," 3/24/2013.  I would also recommend writer John Scalzi's short essay called "Being Poor."

The Senate as Facebook

Chris Cillizza, of the Washington Post blog / column The Fix, has produced an interesting graphic.  In "the Senate as Facebook," you can see how each senator ranks in voting with people in the same party and the other major party.  The results show up in a pin chart.  It's cool.  Send it to your geeky political friends; they'll be entertained for hours.

Millionaires Need Apply (for Tax Credits)

Legislation seems to either be overly vague or overly specific.  Take a bill in the PA House, House Bill 36, An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for an angel investment tax credit.  That's an innocent enough title.  But the bill applies to a very narrow group of people.  Here are the criteria for the tax credit:

"Accredited investor." Any of the following: 

17(1) An individual whose net worth or joint net worth with the individual's spouse exceeds $1,000,000.

19(2) An individual who had individual income in excess of 20$200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income21 with that individual's spouse in excess of $300,000 in each22 of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching23 the same income level in the current year. 

24(3) Any entity in which all of the equity owners meet 25paragraph (1) or (2).

Among the criteria for the businesses these investors will help support include maintaining its headquarters in Pennsylvania for 5 years after the credit is applied for, and having 51% of their workforce employed in Pennsylvania.  If the investor doesn't use the entire tax credit the first year it can be carried over and used in subsequent years for seven years.  Note, that's 2 years after the company has to stay in Pennsylvania.  There is also wording on pass throughs and S corporations.  I don't quite grasp all of that.  Interested parties are encouraged to read the legislation for themselves.

The bill was introduced in January and is currently "laid on the table."