Changes in SEPTA Schedules

from the inbox:

SEPTA’s new transit schedules for fall 2013 go into effect on Sunday, Sept. 1. Most of these changes include minor timetable adjustments on bus and trolley routes designed to improve customer service, and also account for seasonal changes in ridership.

Timetables for some routes will go unchanged, with service remaining on existing schedules. As part of SEPTA’s effort to “Go Green” and control costs, new schedules have been printed only for routes on which there will be timetable adjustments. For routes that are unchanged, customers can continue to refer to their current schedules.

All new and existing schedules are available at customer locations. SEPTA also has all new schedules available for viewing and printing online at http://www.septa.org/schedules/upcoming.html. In addition to minor timetable adjustments, SEPTA would like to alert customers to the following:

 Route 56 Bus: Service will be added to-and-from the new stores at the Bakers Centre development in Northwest Philadelphia.

 Route 120 Bus: Service to West Chester Pike and Clyde Lane, towards Cheyney University, will be now available on weekdays and Saturday and Sunday.

 Route 123 Bus: Service to Gulph Mills Station on the Norristown High Speed Line (towards 69th Street Transportation Center) will no longer be available on weekdays .

 Route 124 Bus: Service to Gateway Shopping Center (towards King of Prussia/Chesterbrook) will now available on weekdays and Saturday and Sunday.

 Route 105 and 106 buses: The Lancaster and Station Avenues stop (towards 69th Street Transportation Center) becomes Lancaster and Cricket Avenues.

 Route 115 Bus: The West Chester Pike and Eagle Road stop (towards Philadelphia International Airport) becomes Eagle Road and Lincoln Avenue on weekdays.

 Route 117 Bus: The Edgmont Avenue and Brookhaven stop becomes Bridgewater Road and Trimble Boulevard. The Route 117 bus will now stop at 22nd Street and Edgmont Avenue and Bridgewater Road and Trimble Boulevard in both directions on Sunday.

 Trolley service returns to the entire Route 10 line, following the completion of a track renewal project on Lancaster Avenue between 40th and 44th Streets. Shuttle buses have been used in place of trolleys from 33rd and Market Streets to 63rd Street and Malvern Avenue since June 9.

 Due to the Bridgeport Viaduct repair project, shuttle buses will be used on a portion of the Norristown High Speed Line through November. The Viaduct connects Bridgeport Station and Norristown Transportation Center (NTC). On weekdays, shuttle buses transport passengers between NTC and Bridgeport . On weekends, NHSL trains travel to Hughes Park. Shuttle buses are used on weekends between Gulph Mills and NTC, stopping at Dekalb Street Station (DeKalb and Ford Streets) and Bridgeport Station (DeKalb and 8th Streets).

New Efforts on Gun Safety

from the inbox:

Today, the Obama administration announced two new common-sense executive actions to keep the most dangerous firearms out of the wrong hands and ban almost all re-imports of military surplus firearms to private entities. These executive actions build on the 23 executive actions that the Vice President recommended as part of the comprehensive gun violence reduction plan and the President unveiled on January 16, 2013.

Even as Congress fails to act on common-sense proposals, like expanding criminal background checks and making gun trafficking a federal crime, the President and Vice President remain committed to using all the tools in their power to make progress toward reducing gun violence.

Building on the 23 Executive Actions the President and Vice President Unveiled Last January

·         Last December, the President asked the Vice President to develop a series of recommendations to reduce gun violence. On January 16, 2013, they released these proposals, including 23 executive actions. With the first Senate confirmation of an ATF Director on July 31, 2013, the Administration has completed or made significant progress on 22 of the 23 executive actions. The new executive actions unveiled today build on this successful effort. 

Closing a Loophole to Keep Some of the Most Dangerous Guns Out of the Wrong Hands

·         Current law places special restrictions on many of the most dangerous weapons, such as machine guns and short-barreled shotguns.  These weapons must be registered, and in order to lawfully possess them, a prospective buyer must undergo a fingerprint-based background check.

·         However, felons, domestic abusers, and others prohibited from having guns can easily evade the required background check and gain access to machine guns or other particularly dangerous weapons by registering the weapon to a trust or corporation.  At present, when the weapon is registered to a trust or corporation, no background check is run.  ATF reports that last year alone, it received more than 39,000 requests for transfers of these restricted firearms to trusts or corporations.

·         Today, ATF is issuing a new proposed regulation to close this loophole.  The proposed rule requires individuals associated with trusts or corporations that acquire these types of weapons to undergo background checks, just as these individuals would if the weapons were registered to them individually.  By closing this loophole, the regulation will ensure that machine guns and other particularly dangerous weapons do not end up in the wrong hands.

Keeping Surplus Military Weapons Off Our Streets

·         When the United States provides military firearms to its allies, either as direct commercial sales or through the foreign military sales or military assistance programs, those firearms may not be imported back into the United States without U.S. government approval.  Since 2005, the U.S. Government has authorized requests to reimport more than 250,000 of these firearms.

·         Today, the Administration is announcing a new policy of denying requests to bring military-grade firearms back into the United States to private entities, with only a few exceptions such as for museums.  This new policy will help keep military-grade firearms off our streets.

Auditor General on Dog Law

from the inbox:

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today issued the following statement supporting new legislation to require pet stores to provide potential dog buyers with health and breeder information:“I commend Rep. Schreiber for proposing legislation that will bring transparency and accountability to the puppy buying process. If this legislation passes, consumers will be much better informed about the health and background of their dog before making the purchase.

“I was disappointed by the findings in our recent audit of the state’s enforcement of the revised dog law. Hopefully, increased oversight of kennels by the Department of Agriculture and this new transparency legislation will help ensure better conditions for puppies waiting for good homes.”

A copy of the department’s July audit report on the enforcement of Pennsylvania’s dog law is available at:www.auditorgen.state.pa.us/Department/Press/DePasqualeFindsDogLawHindered.html

Youth United for Change Stands With Teachers

from the inbox, a modified press release (last paragraph omitted):

This morning the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers' president, Jerry Jordan, announced that Philadelphia teachers are willing to forgo a salary increase and accept changes to their healthcare to provide more money to the School District's budget.  Youth United for Change stands with our teachers.  Our teachers are making major sacrifices and they should not be forced to make any more. 

 Our teachers are on the frontline in our schools, working long hours for our students and using their paychecks to buy school materials.  Philadelphia's teachers are already paid significantly less than neighboring School Districts.  This already sets up our students for a disadvantage.  Further lowering teachers' pay and benefits will lower the quality of our students' education.  Turnover will be higher, quality teachers will leave the District and it will be harder for the District to attract the committed, skilled teachers that our students deserve.    

City Council needs to step up now.  How much do Philadelphia citizens need to do before City Council listens and takes action?  Students, parents and community members have marched, canvassed and spoken out powerfully.  It is time for City Council to listen to their constituents now.  We expected our city officials to fight for us, not throw up their hands, when Governor Corbett's state budget cuts put our schools in this horrible position. 

This summer, Youth United for Change students spent the summer talking to community members about public education.  They knocked on almost 7,000 doors, talked to at least 3,700 people and collected 2,259 surveys.  The message we heard from the community was clear.  Philadelphians want our public education system to be fully funded now.  This funding should not come from our teachers who are already making major sacrifices for our students.  Ultimately cuts to our teachers hurt our students.

Two New Philadelphia Literary References

If you have been watching the Longmire series on A&E, you might be interested in knowing that it is based on a series of books by Craig Johnson.  In the series deputy sheriff Vic Moretti is a former Philadelphia cop.  This is also true in the books; in addition Sheriff Longmire's lawyer daughter practices in Philadelphia (in the tv series she, like her father, lives in Wyoming).  I haven't tackled the books yet but have enjoyed this show this season.  It's a modern day western mystery.  Longmire t-shirts and other gear sport logos designed by a Philadelphia firm, Joel Katz Design Associates.

Want to help cats in Philadelphia?  Have I got a poster for you!!  CityKitties is a local charity to help foster cats and kittens in Philadelphia.  In 2010 sci fi writer John Scalzi said if he reached 30,000 twitter followers he would be covered in buttercream frosting.  Fellow sci fi writer Neil Gaiman somehow got involved and the actual frosting event (done by Derby Girls) took place on Gaiman's front lawn.  A photographer took pictures for proof (there's also a video) and one of the pictures was turned into a poster.  The poster was offered for sale with proceeds going to two groups, one of them being CityKitties.  That's a long story but that's just how Scalzi rolls. I'm not sure the poster is still available but it would be worth a try.

PA Funds for AP Exams

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of more than $28.8 million in grants to 42 states to cover a portion of the fees charged to low-income students for taking advanced placement (AP) tests.  Pennsylvania is slated to receive $610,970

PA Receives $1.6 Million for Recovery Projects

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced $15 million in U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to support 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachussetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington that help manufacturers affected by imports adjust to increasing global competition and create jobs.

“The Obama administration is committed to providing communities with the resources they need to succeed in a global marketplace,” Secretary Pritzker said. “The grants announced today will strengthen the competitiveness of the U.S. economy by providing funding for programs that help companies make improvements in such critical areas as advanced manufacturing, engineering, marketing, quality control, information technology, and market development.”

‪

Pennsylvania received one of the 11 grants:

• $1.6 million to the Mid-Atlantic Employers’ Association, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, for the Mid-Atlantic Trade Adjustment Assistance Center

EDA’s Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms program funds 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers across the nation. The centers support a wide range of technical, planning, and business recovery projects that help companies and the communities that depend on them adapt to international competition and diversify their economies. The grants announced today are for the third year of a funding cycle running from 2011 to 2014. Additional information on the program is available at www.taacenters.org.

Latin: Not As Dead As You Might Think

"Latin's a dead language,
as dead as it can be.
First it killed the Romans,
now it's killing me."

I hear that rhyme more often than I care to.  The Latin language was one of my college joys and it delights me to this day, though my skill with it has never been particularly good.  Lately I've found two new ways to enjoy it.  There is a Latin words app, similar to the "7 words" app for English, French, and Spanish.  It's a great train past time.

Were that not enough, Eddie Izzard, one of my favorite comedians, has a sketch on Hannibal crossing the Alps; Latin plays a large role in it, though Izzard says it is a silly language.  You can watch it online (note, not safe for work).

Gun Safety Event in Chester

from the inbox:

A broad coalition of gun violence prevention advocates – including Mayors John Linder of Chester and Richard Lowe of Swarthmore, Police Commissioner Joseph Bail Jr., Representative Thaddeus Kirkland, and a local gun owner – gathered in Chester today as part of the “No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence,” a 25-state national bus tour over a period of 100 days aimed at urging America’s leaders to support common-sense gun policies. The tour is sponsored by the bipartisan coalition Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which has more than 200 member mayors and 106,000 grassroots supporters in Pennsylvania.

            Participants came together Monday to voice their continued support for comprehensive and enforceable background checks, and they urged Philadelphia-area U.S. House members Charles Dent and Jim Gerlach to back this tough-on-crime measure by co-sponsoring bipartisan background checks legislation in Congress. They also thanked Congressmen Bob Brady and Pat Meehan for signing onto this bill.
 

This past April, Senator Pat Toomey stood with nearly 90 percent of Pennsylvanians when he co-sponsored bipartisan background checks legislation with fellow NRA A-rated Senator Joe Manchin that would have helped keep firearms out of the wrong hands by extending background checks to cover private gun sales in commercial settings. Senator Casey, too, demonstrated leadership on this issue when he joined a majority of senators in voting in favor of the bill. It failed, however, after it was blocked by a minority of senators. Corresponding legislation in the U.S. House, sponsored by Congressmen Peter King (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), currently has more than 180 co-sponsors, including Congressmen Brady and Meehan. But Southeast Pennsylvania Congressmen Gerlach and Dent have not yet signed onto the bill.

[section of press release deleted]

Participants in Monday’s even included: Mayors John Linder of Chester and Richard Lowe of Swarthmore; Police Commissioner Joseph Bail Jr.; Representative Thaddeus Kirkland; local gun owner Antoinette Levitt; and Beverly Wright, President of Women of Strength.
 

During the rally, participants and attendees also read the names of victims of gun violence in Chester and those who have been killed with guns since the Newtown mass shooting in December 2012.

Along with 15 other states and the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania goes beyond federal law by requiring background checks before private handgun sales.[1] In turn, the state has seen the public safety benefits of enacting this common-sense measure. In states that already require background checks for all handgun sales:

·      Thirty-eight percent fewer women are shot to death by an intimate partner than in other states, while the rate murdered by other means was nearly identical.[2]
·      The firearm suicide rate was 49 percent lower than in other states, even though people committed suicide in other ways at almost precisely the same rate.[3]
·      Thirty-nine percent fewer law enforcement officers were shot to death with handguns.[4] 

In 2011, nearly one-in-five guns that were recovered at Pennsylvania crime scenes were originally purchased out-of-state despite the Commonwealth's better-than-average background check laws. [5] Although a national solution is the ideal way to stop the flow of illegal guns into Pennsylvania, a bipartisan bill currently before the state House Judiciary Committee (H.B. 1010) would fully close the private-sale loophole by requiring background checks for private sales of military style assault weapons and other long guns. 

The No More Names tour provides an opportunity for the more than 90 percent of Americans who support background checks to drive home a message to our elected officials that our country needs common-sense gun laws. At each stop, participants are holding rallies with a broad coalition of supporters – including police, survivors, domestic violence prevention advocates, mayors, and other elected officials – to commemorate those we’ve lost and call on our leaders to stand with the American people on sensible gun policies. They both applaud senators who voted to support comprehensive and enforceable background checks, and urge those who opposed this measure to take a second look.

Local Organization Honored by HHS

from the inbox last week:

 Family Planning Council is honored to be recognized as a Champion for Coverage by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a Champion, Family Planning Council has volunteered to help uninsured Americans learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace.

 Along with other Champions for Coverage, Family Planning Council will distribute publicly available Marketplace materials – both digital and in print – to help residents in southeastern Pennsylvania understand their new choices through the Marketplace. 

“As an organization currently serving a large number of uninsured people, we look forward to helping these consumers learn about their coverage options through the Marketplace,” said Melissa Weiler Gerber, Executive Director at Family Planning Council. “Our goal is to see that every individual and family gets the health coverage they need, and being informed is the first step.”

 

“Champion organizations, like Family Planning Council, are already serving people and are a trusted source of information in communities across the country” said Julie Bataille, Director of Communications at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.  “These organizations are natural places for people to learn about the Marketplace, and we want to make sure that they have access to the tools and information to respond to people who want to sign up and enroll for coverage on October 1.”

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins October 1 for coverage starting as early as January 1, 2014. Visit HealthCare.gov to learn more and to sign up for an account. 

To become a Champion for Coverage and to learn more about what being a Champion for Coverage means, visit: http://marketplace.cms.gov/help-us/champion-apply.html.

Notes from Bykofsky Candidates' Comedy Night

This evening I attended the 23^rd annual Sty Bykofsky Candidates’ Comedy Night, at Finnegan’s Wake in Philadelphia.  This event is a fundraiser for Variety, thechildren’s charity.  

I’ve been to this event before.  The jokes are often off-color.  It is not an uplifting experience.  This year, for the first time, a non-Pennsylvania candidate spoke.  New Jersey Democratic senatorial candidate, Newark Mayor Cory Booker attended at the invitation / request of George Norcross, one of the owners of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. He was clearly the main attraction of the night.  Reporters from the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal were there.  I hate to think of what they will say about the evening.  It was not necessarily presenting the city at its best.

Here are my notes, taken hastily as people spoke.  It is not intended as a full transcript.  There were a number of comments I couldn’t follow.

Stu Bykofsky a Daily News columnists, started the evening off with opening remarks, mostly raunchy jokes.

Jenice Armstrong , also a Daily News columnist, mentioned that the event had raised $475,000 for Variety over the years.

Incumbent Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz, a Democrat, was up first.  He had a skit that involved a woman working a crossword puzzle on a computer.  I had no idea what the joke was supposed to be; it was hard to hear.  [Note for potential future speakers – this type of schtick never works well.  Don’t try it.]  The length of this confusing performance took up most of Butkovitz’s time.  He told one joke which pertained to getting audited.  It was a long involved joke and the punchline involved someone who was being audited peeing on the auditor’s desk. 

Doogie Horner was one of two professional comedians to break up the politicians.  Horner appeared on America’s Got Talent in an earlier season.    He was funny.  Some of his jokes dealt with Irish stereotypes, others with life in New York City.

Danny Alvarez, Republican candidate for Philadelphia District Attorney was up next.  He asks if the previous candidate was Doogie bin Laden [Horner had a scruffy beard].  He held up his watch and said it had a calculator on it.  He uses it to keep track of the HUGE amount of money he is raising.  It also has a calendar and he is hoping to arrange a debate with incumbent DA Seth Williams.  He said Seth’s suit looks like it was made by a tailor who married a tentmaker.  He said Stu called him and said if he didn’t appear at the event Stu would write bad things about him in the paper.  There was a joke about seeing a Seth Williams for Mayor sticker on a tombstone at the cemetery.  [This related to a joke about dead people voting in Philadelphia.]  The campaign sent Seth Williams an invitation to debate but Seth probably thought it was a gas bill and threw it away.  The last group of jokes focused on his upbringing.  He said his father was so cheap that the family used a spare tire in the back of a pickup as a baby’s car seat.

Seth Williams followed Alvarez, which was interesting.  He starts by thanking Stu and Mike Driscoll, owner of Finnegan’s Wake.  “The truth is, I’m not that funny.  My job is serious.”  He says his Blackberry goes off all day long with murders and rapes.  When Stu called about a fundraiser Williams thought it was a fundraiser to help the gas bill.  The Daily News had a front page story saying that on one month in 2012 he was a month late with a gas bill of over $500.  So was Mayor Nutter.  Nutter makes Pee Wee Herman look like a Hell’s Angel.  Nutter and Williams call each other on the 5^th of every month to remind each other to pay the gas bill.  Stu was rushed to the emergency room with an erection lasting over 4 hours.  Williams asked what the doctors did about that and says Bykofsky said the doctor showed him a picture of Lynne Abraham.  The Daily News had a story about Williams following sexy ladies on twitter [he held out his arms and shimmied as he said this – it was funny].  He doesn’t know how that happened but he’s never letting Ed Rendell hold his phone again.  The paper didn’t report that he also follows the Bible on twitter but it’s not the King James Version but the 50 Shades of Gray version.  [not sure what this refers to; the Bible is racey enough as is].  Alvarez says he is committed to excellence.  Williams says he wishes Alvarez had been committed to excellence when he worked in the DA’s office.  Booker shows the rise of the strong Black bald man.  People confuse Williams with Booker, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, and William Hite, superintendent of Philadelphia schools.    People like to think all Black men look alike.  “Michelle and I will be signing autographs outside.”

There was a break to auction off a gift card to the Blitz restaurant.  Emerald Capital bought it for more than twice it’s face value.

Bykofsky always has a surprise guest.  This year it is Dan Gross, former gossip columnist Dan Gross.  He tells jokes.  Then he auctions off a helmet signed by someone at the Philadelphia Soul arena football team.  George Norcross bid $2,000 if Gross would put it on.  Emerald Capital bid $3,000 but also wanted Gross to try on the helmut.

Cory Booker was up next.  He said he’s made many mistakes in life but none as big as accepting George Norcross’s invitation to appear here.  He praises Bykofsky.  Then he says he is a Yankees fan but has to pander to South Jersey residents who are fans of Philly sports teams, and lists the ones he is now favoring.  Tells the story of George Washington crossing the Delaware.  He  had to go by boat because even back then the tolls were too high.  People tease him about his close relationship with NJ Gov. Chris Christie.  He made a joke about brushing his teeth with Chris and his wife Mary Pat, and of tucking Chris into bed a night.  There was a long intertwining joke about famous New Jerseyans.   He is glad Bruce Springsteen lets him use the john when he is the neighborhood.  Speaking of johns he Is glad that Jon Bon Jovi’s wife Dorothea ….. etc, it went on like that at some length.  He said Obama has endorsed him.  There were several jokes I couldn’t follow.

Professional comedian Grover Silcox takes the stage and tells jokes about marriage and sports.

The last speak was Terry Tracy, Republican candidate for Philadelphia city controller.   He is jealous that Cory Booker gets to brush his teeth at night with the next president.  His cousin is the Prime Minister of Ireland.  Lists things he has in common with Elliott Spitzer, Democratic candidate for New York City Comptroller.  Philadelphia has been a one party town for a long time.  We should have had city council serve dinner tonight.  Nothing would have gotten passed.  They refer to Booker as a celebrity politician.  Tracy would be happy if they referred to him at all.  [There were jokes about the hair on his head  and his chest hair.]

Bykofsky thanks everyone.  The evening ends.

Personal Notes:  There were a number of people at the bar who continued to have loud conversation that made it hard to hear.  George Norcross was there, and sat at the Daily News table.  Booker sat at the Variety table and talked with the Variety staff there.  He was clearly a star attraction as people came over throughout the night to have pictures taken with him.   Mayor Nutter wasn’t there.  I didn’t see any of the other usual political heavy hitters like Bob Brady or John Dougherty either.  It doesn’t mean they weren’t there, just that I didn’t see them.

Favorite Line:  Seth Williams doing the shimmy while saying "sexy ladies" and that he didn't know how he started following those sites on twitter "but I'm never letting Ed Rendell hold my phone again."

The sound track for this evening’s excursion into the city was the new Steve Martin / Edie Brickell cd, Love Has Come for You.  Favorite track:  Iron Mountain Baby.

Pennsylvania Conference for Women

This year's Pennsylvania Conference for Women will be held on Friday, November 1 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.  The keynote speaker will be former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  Another former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright will also be speaking.  Other schedules speakers include Judge Glenda Hatchett and business leader Sallie Krawcheck.  That's a stellar lineup!

Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Visit the National Constitution Center

from the inbox:

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court, will speak at the National Constitution Center on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. She is the third Supreme Court justice to visit the museum this year—Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Sonia Sotomayor both appeared as part of the museum’s Town Hall program series in the spring. Justice Ginsburg will sit down with President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for a wide-ranging conversation about the Supreme Court, past and present.

Montco Reminder: Check on Immunizations for the School Year

from the inbox:

With the beginning of the school year just around the corner, the Montgomery County Health Department (MCDH) reminds residents that children may need up-to-date vaccinations. There are several vaccines recommended for 11 and 12 year olds as they enter seventh grade, including Tdap and Meningitis vaccines. The second varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is required for all children attending school. Children 4-6 years old will need booster shots for DTaP, chicken pox, MMR, and polio. Most schools require children to be up-to-date on vaccinations before enrolling or starting school in order to protect the health of all students.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended schedule sets ages for specific vaccines throughout a person’s life span. Starting at six months of age, individuals can be vaccinated against influenza annually.

“It is important for people to educate themselves about vaccines and their safety and effectiveness,” said Carolyn Zimmerman a Public Health Nurse with the Montgomery County Health Department. “Make an appointment to receive the vaccines on time and get all the shots needed for the vaccine to be effective.” It is important to keep a copy of personal immunization records in a safe place. Individuals should consult their doctor or nurse about the immunizations they need.

Montco App Introduced

The Montgomery County website won an award recently.  The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) named www.montcopa.org as the winner of their Excellence in Website Design Award.

Recognizing that people use mobile devices to search the web, the county has launched a mobile app, GoMontco.  It is free and available for both iOS and Android devices.  The app is designed to reflect the website.

Both provide information on news, calendar, parks & trails, staff director, FAQs, RFP & bids, jobs, and others.

Affordable Care Act Site for Small Business

The Obama Administration has launched Business.USA.gov/healthcare. The web-based tool delivers information based on a business’ size, location, and plans for offering health benefits to workers next year.  It also addresses misconceptions about the law and to provide information for small business owners across the country.

Student Loan Legislation

from the inbox, a link to Cecilia Munoz's post, "A Better Bargain for Students," on the White House blog.  Here is an excerpt:

This afternoon, President Obama made an important step toward that promise by signing into law the bipartisan student loan interest rate compromise, which advances our nation's commitment to students by cutting rates on nearly all new loans this year – saving a typical undergraduate student $1,500 over the life of his or her loans. This legislation allows borrowers to benefit from the low interest rates currently available in the marketplace, guarantees that borrowers are able to lock in these rates over the life of their loans, and protects future borrowers by capping how high rates can rise.

The signing of this legislation is a key victory for students, one in which Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle came together around the important mission of keeping college affordable for American students and their families.

Under the new law, nearly 11 million borrowers will see their interest rates decrease on new loans made after July 1, 2013. About 8.8 million undergraduate borrowers will see their rates on new loans drop from 6.8 to 3.86 percent, and about 1.5 million Graduate Unsubsidized Stafford borrowers will see their rates drop on new loans from 6.8 percent to 5.41 percent. Finally, over 1 million Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS borrowers will see their rates on new loans drop from 7.9 percent to 6.41 percent—the first reduction in years.

Another Gun Loophole Attempt

At present residents of Pennsylvania who wish to have a gun permit apply to their county sheriff's office (except for Philadelphia, where it is allowable to also apply to the chief of the city police force).  A new bill introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate, SB 1071, would change that.  the proposed legislation would allow people to also apply to the sheriff's department in contiguous counties.  Residents of Philadelphia could apply in Philadelphia, or the Bucks, Delaware, or Montgomery Counties.

The bill has eight sponsors:  ALLOWAY, KASUNIC, SCARNATI, WHITE, YUDICHAK, SOLOBAY, WOZNIAK AND BREWSTER

State Rep. Roebuck on Philly Schools

from the inbox:

State Rep. James Roebuck, D-Phila., Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee, issued this statement on the Philadelphia public schools' financial problems: 

"I was offended by the response from the Corbett administration. The $45 million for which they apparently want to take credit is NOT state money, but rather federal money the state owed that the Obama administration has forgiven. Essentially, all the Corbett administration is doing is the $15 million increase in the basic education subsidy for Philadelphia that doesn’t make up for two years of much deeper cuts in state funding. I would also like to point out that the city council and the teachers have been doing their part – it is the Corbett administration that has been letting our children down. 

"I would remind everyone that the new state budget only restores $122 million of the nearly $1 billion cut statewide from K-12 education two years ago, a cut that was locked in by flat funding last year. I supported a Democratic budget amendment this year that would have restored about $300 million of those cuts as part of a plan to restore the entire amount over three years."

Rain Delays

There was a lot of water where I live this morning.  Along some of the streets water was up to the middle of the tires on cars parked along the curb.  The streets themselves were like fast moving streams.  As I walked to the train station the water was to my ankles on the sidewalk (it was higher on the edge of the street and maybe lower in the middle, but, given the rain and limited visibility, I wasn't going to walk in the street).  I was splashed by passing cars and drenched when I got to work.   Fortunately I keep a gym bag in my office.  Sweat pants and sneakers may not be acceptable office attire but at least they were dry.

SEPTA service was disrupted in places.  They've posted details and pictures of some of the damaged tracks.  I'd rather be late than on a derailed train and looking at these pictures I think delays were definitely called for.