First came the physical crisis: the explosion and fire that devastated Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ iconic refinery at the mouth of the Schuylkill River. It was followed last week by an economic shock: the company’s announcement that it would close permanently within the next month. Now comes the political shock, as public officials scramble to mitigate […]
As the state budget continues on a remarkable glide path toward timely passage in Harrisburg – legislators in both chambers have agreed to the outline and Gov. Tom Wolf has issued a statement that he would sign the package in its current iteration – from Philadelphia’s vantage point, the monies glass is decidedly half full. […]
BY JOE SHAHEELI Elected officials are in a mellow mood when there is money to spare, even a little to throw around. Philadelphia is looking at its first $5-billion budget in history. Ten years ago, $4 billion was the norm. Ten years ago, a proposal to increase the budget by a big “B” would have […]
BY JOE SHAHEELI There are increasing signs that Pennsylvania’s lawmakers in the General Assembly may be girding themselves to do what was once unthinkable: Accept a hike in the minimum wage. In fact, some influential Republicans are talking of putting their names on such a measure. The Keystone State’s minimum wage has not been raised […]
On Mar. 27, 2019, the M/V Zhen Hua 25 arrived in South Philadelphia to unload two behemoths at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. These new cranes, identical to two that arrived in 2018, make for a total of four super Post-Panamax cranes – capable of handling the largest ships in the world – now […]
BY GOV. TOM WOLF My administration is working to improve the transportation infrastructure of Pennsylvania, and the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) is no exception. More than $300 million in infrastructure, warehousing, and equipment investments are underway at PhilaPort through my Capital Investment Program and port development plan. The arrival of two super post-Panamax cranes last […]
There was so much to unpack in last Tuesday’s primary results that vats of ink and billions of pixels could continue to be spilled for weeks to come – and indeed, some of the finest analysis anywhere can be found in these pages. But as America’s least favorite coach, Bill Belichick would say, “On to […]
BY JOE SHAHEELI A cluster of youngish newcomers to the electoral fray created a stir in the crowded at-large councilmanic race. Loosely styled “progressives,” their numbers included, in part, Eryn Santamoor, Justin DiBerardinis and Erika Almirón as well as a host of lesser-known entrants such as Adrián Rivera-Reyes, Beth Finn and Asa Khalif. They tend […]
BY JOE SHAHEELI Jim Kenney will remain mayor of Philadelphia for another four years, God willing. Democratic primary voters said so Tuesday and not enough disaffected citizens will turn to his Republican challenger, Billy Ciancaglini, in the fall to unseat him then. Perhaps if his two challengers, State Sen. Anthony Williams (D-W. Phila.) and former […]
As Lisa Deeley sees it, she must be doing something right. Philadelphia City Commission, which she chairs, is charged with administering the machinery of elections, two a year, and with facilitating and encouraging citizens to vote. “And voter turnout has increased in every election since I was elected in 2015,” she stressed. The daughter of […]
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2 New Judges Celebrate Their Robing
Judges newly elected to Common Pleas and Municipal Courts mark their accession t...
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STATE SEN. John Kane and State Rep. Mary Isaacson met on a cold day to discuss H...
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Pennsylvania’s newly complicated, shortened, two-stage petition drives for the...
Squilla Summons Celebrants to His Spring Affair
Hope -- and campaign financing -- springs eternal in a political heart. As Covid...
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STATE REP. Jordan Harris joined colleague Joanna McClinton at Bartram’s Garden...
Street Endorses Kinsey
STATE SEN. Sharif Street attended the reelection announcement of State Rep. Step...
Showing Faith in the Vote
CITY COMMISSION Chair Lisa Deeley was joined by her colleague Seth Bluestein, R;...
Benjamin Challenges Krajewski in W. Philly Seat
Democratic 51st Ward Leader Greg Benjamin, C, rallied supporters at Cedar Park t...
Democratic Women Honor Roe v. Wade
ON THE EVE of the 49th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Councilmember Katherine Gilmo...