CITY HALL SAM: Union Leaders Fight For Philly’s Schools

PHILA. Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan is joined by several thousand teachers in front of State Capitol this week as he addresses legislators’ need to put critical funding in this state budget to save devastated School District.

The head of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers JERRY JORDAN headed to Harrisburg to protest devastating education cuts to Philadelphia schools. He was accompanied by TED KIRSCH. Kirsch is now head of the American Federation of Teachers. It had been a while since members of the teachers’ union took the fight to Harrisburg but their appearance was effective.

Also making an appearance were many of the students of Philadelphia schools. The kids were courteous yet passionate in their protest. The head of Union 1199C HENRY NICHOLS appeared at a rally on the Capitol steps. Also on hand were Pennsylvania AFL-CIO leader RICK BLOOMINGDALE and PSEA head MICHAEL CROSSEY. Although a plan to provide nearly a hundred million dollars in aid to Philadelphia schools is in the works the number of devastating cuts in funds to classrooms as well as teacher givebacks make the plan unpalatable.

MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER once again walked the hallways of the Capitol to visit with legislators. His entourage included FINANCE DIR. ROB DUBOW and lobbyist HOLLY KINSER. The Mayor’s regular trips to Harrisburg always consist of him coming hat in hand. One longs for the days when Philadelphia can be much more sufficient and independent of the Harrisburg funders. The funding never comes without a political and moral price tag. Deals made by past Philadelphia Mayors have left the city with the School Reform Commission. Now the State runs the Philadelphia schools – yet the Mayor still has to beg for funding.

STATE REP. BRENDAN BOYLE, an aspiring congressman, held a fundraiser at Local 98. The event was also well attended.

JERRY LEHOCKY, the highly regarded Philadelphia trial lawyer, was officially named president of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association. Lehocky is a close friend and partner of SAM POND, a ubiquitous presence among Philadelphia Democratic power players. The event was marked at the law offices of Pond Lehocky, and was well attended. A resolution commemorating the event was sent by STATE REP. ED NEILSON.

Former State Rep and present City COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON made an appearance in Harrisburg to advocate for Philadelphia school funding. He is also an advocate of the increase tax on tobacco products to fund schools. The tobacco legislation is the more likely to pass in Harrisburg. There had been some movement toward an increased drink tax. But the tax was met coldly. Restaurants and taverns have been very large economic players in Philadelphia. In fact, they have been a key job creator. Most believe raising the drink tax would be counterproductive.

The big question in Harrisburg remains: Does GOV. TOM CORBETT succeed in doing the only thing he’s been able to do right – get a budget done on time? He started June with an opportunity to get a few things done. The handicappers felt he would be able to get some privatization with regard to liquor sales in Pennsylvania. He was not going to get complete privatization. Now it appears he will get nothing. He also had a chance to get some pension reform. Now it appears he will get nothing. It appeared he was going to be able to get a responsible infrastructure package passed. Now it appears that infrastructure will be whittled down to an incredible underfunding of new projects. If the Governor doesn’t get the budget done on time, he will be batting a resounding zero.

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