Category Archives: Regional News

Poverty Rate of Philadelphia City Workers Doubles under Mayor Nutter

A new Temple University study has found that city workers in Philadelphia are twice as likely today as they were in 2007 to have incomes that fall below the poverty guideline for a family of four when wages are adjusted … More after the jump

Posted in Labor and Unions, Philadelphia and suburbs Tagged ,

Shut Up or Get Out: PA City Punishes Domestic Violence Victims Who Call the Police

Cross-posted with the gracious permission of ACLU’s Sandra Park, see original post here. Last year in Norristown, Pa., Lakisha Briggs’ boyfriend physically assaulted her, and the police arrested him. But in a cruel turn of events, a police officer then … More after the jump

Posted in Civil Rights, Health, Miscellany, Regional News, Social Services

After Announcing PA Gubernatorial Campaign, Allyson Schwartz “Punches the Hippies” on CISPA

“Punching the hippies” is a figure of speech I have picked up on from never missing MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show. Most recently used by Rachel to describe President Obama’s proposal to effectively cut Social Security benefits, “punching the hippies” … More after the jump

Posted in Campaign Finance and the Influence Game, Civil Rights, Elections, Governor Corbett, Philadelphia and suburbs, State Government

Green Party of Pennsylvania Stages Earth Day Protests Around the State

Yesterday was Earth Day, and to mark the occasion the Green Party of Pennsylvania – in partnership with over 60 other environmental organizations – held protest rallies at all six regional offices of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection across … More after the jump

Posted in Environment and Energy, Erie and Northwest, Harrisburg / South Central, Lehigh Valley, Miscellany, North Central, Northeast PA, Philadelphia and suburbs, Pittsburgh / SW Region, Regional News, State Government

Butkovitz Adds Democratic City Committee Endorsement to Labor Nods

Two-term Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz’s re-election campaign today received the unanimous endorsement of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee. This follows the endorsement of the AFL-CIO and AFSCME District 47, as well as the 9th and 30th Ward Committees. Butkovitz … More after the jump

Posted in Elections, Philadelphia and suburbs

Alternative Medicine Guru to Challenge Keith Rothfus

Only 3 months into his first term and a full 19 months away from Election Day, Freshman GOP Congressman Keith Rothfus has already drawn a Democratic challenger. The Tribune-Review is reporting that New Kensington resident Erin McClelland, the director of … More after the jump

Posted in Elections, Pittsburgh / SW Region

Sean Shultz Announces Run for Carlisle Borough Council

Former borough council president, Sean Shultz, today announced his campaign for Carlisle Borough Council.  He said he and his wife were on the fence about his run until they attended a fire company banquet where a retiring fire company chief … More after the jump

Posted in Harrisburg / South Central

Rothfus Refuses to Expand Violence Against Women Act

If you read the press release from Congressman Keith Rothfus’s office, you would believe that he thinks it is “important to prevent and prosecute violence against women.” This is true–unless you’re a women who is a lesbian, immigrant, or Native … More after the jump

Posted in LGBT / Gay Rights, National Politics, Pittsburgh / SW Region Tagged

Planes, Wine, and PA GOP Chairman Rob Gleason–Something Stinks in Cambria County

Something stinks in Cambria County politics. For Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason, that stink is the smell of money. Since Republicans took back the majority on the County Board of Commissioners, three county insurance contracts have gone to Chairman … More after the jump

Posted in Business, Corruption, Pittsburgh / SW Region, Regional News Tagged

AFSCME President Compares Philly Mayor Nutter’s “Bullshit” Union-Busting to Walker, Kasich, & Snyder

AFSCME President Lee Saunders did not pull any punches this morning at AFSCME’s 2013 Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. In front of more than 600 AFSCME members, Saunders railed against Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, comparing Nutter to anti-labor Republican Governors … More after the jump

Posted in Campaign Finance and the Influence Game, Labor and Unions, Philadelphia and suburbs Tagged ,