Citizens Design Map Proposals For Philadelphia Council Redistricting
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Leaders of the Philadelphia's Latino community came before City Council on Tuesday, urging the lawmakers to create a primarily Hispanic district when the city's map of Council districts gets redrawn.
Tuesday, city council's chamber is the site of the first hearing on redistricting. The map must be redrawn based on the results of the 2010 census, which found growing numbers of residents in the eastern portion of the city.
City officials are hinting at a possible permanent re-write of Philadelphia's curfew law because of successful enforcement this weekend of the temporarily tighter curfew hours.
After threat of a lawsuit by the local branch of the NAACP, Philadelphia City Council has agreed to expand the number of hearings into how the city will be redistricted in accordance with the latest census.
By law, City Council has only until September 9th to redistrict, based on census numbers that show a significant population shift in Philadelphia. The hearing is set for August 16th.
The Philadelphia Bar Association has decided to withdraw its lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia -- at least for now -- over a new law regulating lobbyists.
Now that Mayor Michael Nutter has sent Philadelphia City Council word for the second time in less than a week that he's vetoing recent legislation -- the latest is a sick-leave bill -- some Council members are accusing the mayor of hypocrisy.
Philadelphia City Council is on its very long summer vacation after passing a property tax increase for the schools. But some players in the school drama say there are struggles ahead.
Proceeds from that property tax bump -- combined with a meter rate increase for street parking and some city surplus funds -- will give the school district an extra $53 million.
City Council, the business community, and advocacy groups are all waiting to see what Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter will do about the bill that was passed last week requiring most companies to offer employees earned sick leave.
In the middle of pressing soda and property tax issues, City Council dealt with two controversial bills dealing with sick leave and the DROP program.
Philadelphia City Council has reportedly reached a deal that is expected to raise around $53 million in revenue to bail out the city's school district.
There is a political showdown on the horizon. Thursday morning there will be a hearing on funding for public schools and Mayor Michael Nutter believes soda can help secure those funds.
Shops that sell tobacco in Philadelphia will soon have to fork over $50 for a permit.
Arlene Ackerman wants $102 million from the city to help cover the school district's massive deficit, but councilmembers why the school district is spending money on other programs.
The debate continues in City Council over whether to force local firms to give workers earned sick leave. The proposal was amended Thursday, but not enough to satisfy critics.
It will be a day of intense negotiations in City Hall, as Mayor Nutter and council members grapple with how to help solve the School District's financial woes.
The original bill requiring earned sick leave covered all Philadelphia businesses, but now Councilman Bill Greenlee has amended it to exclude small firms.
Philadelphia City Council has voted to tweak the controversial lump-sum pension perk known as "DROP," turning its back on the mayor's call to abolish the program.
A Phialdelphia city council committee has given thumbs-up to a measure that would allow for large-scale electronic signage on Market Street East in center city.
A compromise has been reached on a bill that would give police more leeway in handling aggressive panhandlers in the city.
Will DROP be dropped? Not likely, it seems. City Council today holds its long-delayed hearing on the controversial pension perk, and the lawmakers are likely to ignore the mayor's call to abolish DROP.
Today brings the start of one of the biggest weeks in Philadelphia City Council this year, with debates raging over bailing out the school district, requiring companies to give paid sick leave, policing the homeless and eliminating the DROP program.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is proposing a tax on soda and other sugary drinks as he and City Council continue trying to help bail out the cash-starved Philadelphia school district.
