Above Average Jane

Election Day

2013-05-21T00:58:00.002-04:00

It's now election day. Please vote while the polls are open (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.). There aren't many contested races but the voter turnout is taken as an indication of support for candidates going into the general election. There are some primary races, for example the Mayor of Ambler (shout out for Jeanne Sorg whose path I have crossed in passed years). There are a lot of local commissioner and school board races.

For some races, especially the judicial races, candidates can cross register so if you vote by party it's important to check party websites for endorsed candidates. For Montgomery County, check mcdems.org for Democratic candidates, delcodems.com for Delaware County, and bucksdems.org for Bucks County (although, inexplicably they don't list any candidates for 2013). In Montco the endorsed Democratic candidates for Court of Common Pleas are Gail Weilheimer and Steve Tolliver.

There is a contested primary for Democratic candidate for Superior Court. Joe Waters is from the Philly area, Jack McVay is the Pittsburgh area candidate.

Phillyburbs has a great interactive election site. I'm not sure the exact geographic area it covers but if you put in an address it will show all the races for that address, including local elections. Check it out at: http://c3.thevoterguide.org/v/phillyburbs13/build.do . The Delaware County Daily Times also has a voters guide but it is not as snazzy: http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/05/20/news/doc519a0312c7938121855608.txt

Philadelphia voters have a number of races, include a primary for city controller (I favor Brett Mandel, though I question his judgement in posting photos to twitter) and judicial races. Please consider Giovanni Campbell, Stephanie Sawyer and Inja Coates for court of common pleas.

Above, all, VOTE!!!!

Note from Jeanne Sorg

2013-05-21T00:37:00.003-04:00

an election eve email from the Jeanne Sorg for (Ambler) Mayor campaign:

Wow! This the final update before the election.
The doors have all been knocked. Our get out the vote efforts are winding down. Now it’s time to vote.
Voting starts on Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. and goes through 8:00 p.m. in Ambler. Make your plan now on when you will vote. Find your voting location here.This campaign has been a rewarding opportunity to meet and get to better know my neighbors in Ambler as I went around more than three times. I shared with them my positive vision for Ambler’s future and they told me the issues important to them. This time spent with the citizens of Ambler has made me a better candidate and will help me to effectively lead Ambler.

Montco Natural GasVehicle Conversion Initiative

2013-05-17T16:15:00.003-04:00

from the inbox, amended press release:

State Reps. Mary Jo Daley, Madeleine Dean, Mark Painter, Pam DeLissio and Brendan Boyle praised an Act 13 grant of $492,216 by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to the Montgomery County Natural Gas Vehicle Conversion Initiative.

The award, which was applied for through Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities, will go towards helping some of Pennsylvania’s largest companies utilize compressed natural gas as a fuel for their vehicle fleets.

The use of Pennsylvania’s supply of natural gas would create an alternative to imported petroleum. The successful implementation of this project will convert an estimated 35 vehicles to CNG and aims to facilitate further CNG utilization throughout the region.

Act 13 of 2012, through the Marcellus Shale impact fee, created a new three-year Natural Gas Energy Development Program administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. The program will make $20 million in grant funds available on a competitive basis to purchase or convert eligible vehicles to natural gas.

To learn more about the Act 13 grant program, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click on the “Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program” button.

Legislative Infobits

2013-05-17T16:05:00.002-04:00

A few notes from the state senate and house for the past few days.

HB 1399 was introduced in the state house on May 15. It amends the Pennsylvania Election Code by adding in fees to filing election petitions; the fees will go to the state's general fund. I can't tell from the language if it is a fee for each individual petition (which could be pricey) or for the campaign generally. The fees are graduated with, for example, a $200 fee for president and $100 for state house and senate.

HB 1403, also introduced on May 15, changes the Pennsylvania Election Code, in the section regarding recounts. The bill changes this phrase:

A candidate for a public office which appears on the ballot in every election district in this Commonwealth was defeated by one-half of a percent or less of the votes cast for the office. This subclause includes a candidate for retention to a Statewide judicial office.

to this phrase

A candidate for a public office which appears on the ballot in a countywide election or in an election in a State legislative district was defeated by one-half of a percent or less of the votes cast for the office.

I have no idea what effect this would have on elections.

Being Biden and North Philly

2013-05-17T15:10:00.000-04:00

The latest episode of "Being Biden" is the Vice President's response to letters from North Philadelphia students on reducing gun violence. Take a listen.

Understanding Campaign Finance

2013-05-17T15:06:00.002-04:00

The Sunlight Foundation has produced a very informative graphic on campaign finance and how and to whom fundraising is reported. Some types of committees report to the FEC and some to the IRS. Check it out:

http://sunlightfoundation.com/feature/why-does-the-irs-regulate-political-groups-a-look-at-the-complex-world-of-campaign-finance/

(h/t Chris Cillizza's The Fix blog)

Showdown in Hatboro

2013-05-16T00:22:00.002-04:00

Back in January, 2011, I wrote a post on non-discrimination ordinances and mentioned that the mayor of Hatboro had vetoed such an ordinance when the town council passed it.

Well, the mayor is up for re-election and the chickens have come home to roost.

Andrea Myers, Army veteran and community volunteer, is one of four Democrats running for four open town council seats. (Four Republicans are also running.) Myers is an out lesbian and supported the non-discrimination ordinance in 2010. You can read more about her at www.hatborodems and also at Philadelphia Gay News, "Out Hatboro activist runs for council," by Angela Thomas, May 2.

Mayor Norm Hawkes is facing a primary challenge from Bill Godshall. Like Myers, Godshall is a veteran and active in community activities, including being a Boy Scout troop leader. He and his wife moved to Hatboro five years ago and he relocated his small business there. Godshall supports the non-discrimination ordinance. You can read Theresa Katalinas's interview with Godshall on the Horsham patch site (4/01). Interesting trivia -- Godshall's website is paid for by the Hatboro Democrats, who aresupporting the challenger, not the incumbent.

It will be interesting to see what happens in Hatboro. I hope there is a reasonable turnout in the primary there.

Boyle Brothers Send Out Their Troops

2013-05-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

The local elections this year don't get a lot of press. County judicial races, township / municipal offices, school boards and the like are low key and don't attract a lot of attention from donors or voters either. The voter turnout for the May 21st primary will probably be embarrassingly slim (you, dear Reader, will be voting, won't you?).

The political eye is already focusing on 2014 congressional elections, if not looking ahead to the 2016 presidential. Local candidates have to work hard to raise money, and retail politics is essential in local races. Candidates have to go door to door in township and municipal races because television ads are too expensive and impossible to focus that narrowly. Even online ads can be tricky at this election level.

Local officials are already being tapped for support in the 2014 races, as if they don't have their own races to win this year. It is unusual for politicians to look down the ladder and ask what they can do to help. So it was refreshing to find out that State Reps. Brendan and Kevin Boyle have enlisted their supporters and volunteers to go out to knock on doors and distribute campaign literature for local candidates.

Kudos to the Boyle brothers for asking "what can I do for you" as opposed to saying "here's what you can do for me." They're paying it forward and that will most surely help them in the future.

WSJ: Deficit Falling Faster Than Expected

2013-05-15T23:41:00.001-04:00

The Wall Street Journal has an article today stating that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal budget deficit is shrinking faster than expected. Read "CBO sees deficit narrowing quickly" by Damian Paletta. Here's the first two paragraphs:

A rapidly shrinking federal budget deficit is upending bipartisan talks to reach a federal budget deal, illustrating the conundrum Washington faces with an improving near-term fiscal outlook but continued longer-term pressures tied to aging baby boomers.

The Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday the federal deficit is expected to shrink to $642 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, narrowing from the agency's estimate of $845 billion three months ago and sharply lower than last year's $1.087 trillion shortfall.

The article has a cool graphic.

(h/t Mike Allen's Politico Playbook)

New Bill on Falsifying Petition Signatures

2013-05-14T22:56:00.000-04:00

HB 1371, introduced in the state house today, makes falsifying election petition signatures a third class felony with a fine of $15,000.

Here is the text of the bill:

Section 1813.1. False Signatures; Offenses by Circulators.--
If any person who is a circulator of nomination petitions or papers shall knowingly make a false statement in any affidavit required by the provisions of this act, to be appended to or to accompany a nomination petition or a nomination paper in which multiple signatures are determined to be in the same handwriting as one signer of the same petition or paper, he shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, and, upon conviction thereof,
shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars, or to undergo imprisonment of not more than seven (7) years, or both, in the discretion of the court.

The bill was sponsored and co-sponsored by State Reps CLAY, O'BRIEN, V. BROWN, CRUZ, FLYNN, SCHLOSSBERG, MILLARD, YOUNGBLOOD, KIRKLAND, DeLUCA, SWANGER, DAVIS, HELM, COX, PETRI AND ROEBUCK

Interactive Legislative District Maps

2013-05-13T23:50:00.000-04:00

So now we're stuck with the poorly drawn state legislative districts. We already knew we were stuck with the embarrassingly awful congressional districts. And we're stuck with them until 2020. Take a look at poor Upper Dublin Township in Montgomery County. Could it possibly be chopped up into smaller bits? The 6th, 7th, and 13th congressional districts are poster children for politically driven district boundaries.

You can take a look at the districts, compare them with previous district boundaries, and overlay the districts with county, municipal, and school board boundaries. You can also download the map data.

http://www.redistricting.state.pa.us/Maps/

Interactive Economic Data

2013-05-13T23:39:00.000-04:00

Is the economy getting better, worse, or standing still? It depends. Chris Wilson of Yahoo has put together an interactive map that lets you adjust the time period measured and shift from the entire economy to areas or industries. Very cool.

http://news.yahoo.com/is-the-economy-getting-better-obama-view-romney-view-interactive-map-145414541.html

(h/t Chris Cillizza's The Fix blog)

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz on Mother's Day

2013-05-12T21:26:00.001-04:00

from Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz on Mother's Day:

I want to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all the proud parents of Southeastern Pennsylvania. As a mother and grandmother, I know how challenging it can be to balance the demands of family and work, whether it’s shuttling between sports practices and music lessons, staying on the job late into the night, or welcoming a new baby or grandchild into the world. Parenting is more than a full-time job, and Mother’s Day gives us the chance to thank the women whose love, support and encouragement has such a crucial impact on our lives.

As the only woman in Pennsylvania’s 20-member Congressional delegation, I am committed to ensuring that working mothers and fathers across our state are able to provide the best care possible for their children. Over the last 35 years, the number of two-income families has nearly doubled and the cost of child care has skyrocketed. Working parents are the backbone of our economy, and too many families in Pennsylvania are struggling to find high-quality care for their children that won’t break the bank.

That's why I will be reintroducing the  Support Working Parents Act this week to help ease this financial burden by allowing all working families nationwide, regardless of their income, to receive a 35 percent tax credit for the cost of their child care expenses. This will almost double the current tax break middle-income families receive for child care costs. Under my legislation, a typical American family with two children would receive a tax credit to cover up to $2,100 in childcare costs, up from $1,200 under current law.

The costs of child care are staggering. In 39 states, one year’s worth of infant day care costs more than a year’s tuition at a four-year public university. In Pennsylvania, quality child care can easily top $10,000 annually, with the average cost of full-time day care for an infant ranging from about $8,000 to roughly $10,500. Meanwhile, the average annual in-state tuition and fees for a public four-year college in Pennsylvania is about $12,000.

Expanding the child care tax credit for middle-income families will strengthen our economic recovery by helping parents balance their responsibilities at work and at home. In these challenging economic times, I will continue to make every effort to give parents the flexibility to return to the workforce knowing they can afford high-quality care for their children.

Allyson Schwartz for Governor on Mother's Day

2013-05-12T21:17:00.002-04:00

from the Allyson Schwartz for Governor campaign:

My best wishes to mothers, grandmothers, and our families, as we take a moment - or more - to acknowledge and celebrate the love we share.

We so often take for granted the sacrifices, support, and infinite love between mothers and our children.

As the mother of two wonderful sons, and now a daughter-in-law and granddaughter, I appreciate the time with family and the extraordinary bond we share.

Enjoy the day together.

Stephanie Singer's Mother's Day Note

2013-05-12T19:02:00.006-04:00

A Mother's Day note from Philadelphia City Commissioner Stephanie Singer:

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms in Philly.

One thing you should be proud of is your role in keeping our democracy strong. When you are voting, talking with neighbors about issues or discussing candidates in the upcoming election, your children are listening and learning from what you do. When you take your kids and grandkids to the polls, you introduce them to voting in a positive, proactive way. My mom shared her opinions and her dedication to voting with me, and I did the same for my daughter.

Thanks, Moms, and please continue to tend the garden of democracy.

Katie McGinty's Mother's Day Message

2013-05-11T21:30:00.000-04:00

from the inbox:

Growing up, our house was filled with lots of love and laughter --- and hard work. At the center of it all was my late mom, Alma Berry McGinty. She raised ten kids --- I'm the ninth --- while working as a restaurant hostess.

It was a challenge for her. As a Philadelphia police officer, my dad sometimes worked days, sometimes nights. Mom covered the shifts, always finding ways to be there for us. She did whatever it took.

Mother's Day is made for moms like her.

My parents taught me the value of hard work --- and they inspired me into public service. That's why I'm running for Governor of Pennsylvania:http://katiemcginty.com/.

I'm a working mom with three daughters of my own now. I understand the challenges families face. Gov. Tom Corbett is not only out of touch with what Pennsylvanians need to succeed, but he is creating obstacles that make it harder for families like yours to make it these days.

. Gov. Corbett has slashed education funding, forcing school districts to lay off good teachers and cutting important programs like full-day kindergarten. Tuition costs are skyrocketing, putting college out of reach for many hardworking Pennsylvanians.
. Gov. Corbett is neglecting our economic future. Pennsylvania ranks rock-bottom in job creation. We need job-training programs that teach our young people the skills and trades they need not only to compete, but also to lead a manufacturing renaissance.
. Gov. Corbett is turning his back on families in need, denying health-care coverage to more than 482,700 uninsured Pennsylvanians who would qualify for insurance under the Medicaid expansion he continues to reject.
. Gov. Corbett has weakened environmental programs that clean our air, protect our water and preserve our natural resources for our children and grandchildren. A clean environment is vital to ensuring vibrant, healthy communities for Pennsylvania families.
. Gov. Corbett has attacked women's health and privacy, dismissively suggesting that women just "close your eyes" as he supported legislation that would require mandatory ultrasounds.

Pennsylvania is only as strong as its families. Under Tom Corbett's leadership, our state is falling behind. We can do better. And I'm ready to lead the way:http://katiemcginty.com/.

Mother's Day Note from PA Budget and Policy Center

2013-05-11T21:09:00.000-04:00

truncated press release:

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center and Public Citizens for Children and Youth are highlighting new research showing just how many moms in Pennsylvania rely on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
The federal tax credits benefit 670,000 working moms in the Keystone state. The 2013 Mother’s Day Report also shows that the EITC and CTC lifted nearly 118,000 Pennsylvania children out of poverty annually between 2009 and 2011. Learn more at http://pennbpc.org/MothersDay.

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas

2013-05-10T22:31:00.000-04:00

Philly for Change has endorsed three candidates for Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, as follows:

Giovanni Campbell http://giovannicampbell4judge.com/

Stephanie Sawyer http://www.friendsofstephaniemsawyer.com/

Inja Coates http://injacoates.wordpress.com/

Giovanni Campbell for Philly Common Pleas

2013-05-10T22:21:00.001-04:00

from the inbox:

Philadelphia. Common Pleas Court judges make decisions that affect every individual in the city. A judicial candidate should have integrity, experience, community involvement, and judicial temperament in order to serve our city in that capacity. Giovanni Campbell is such a candidate. Born in Panama, Mr. Campbell’s multicultural perspective is congruent with Philadelphia’s growing diversity and will help to bring balance to the bench.

Recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association's Committee on Judicial Selection and Retention.

Temple Law School graduate. 1993.

20 years of trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts.

Manages a dynamic law practice focused on criminal defense and civil rights.

Championed the rights of students with learning differences.

Giovanni Campbell is an active member of the Federal Bar Association, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL), the Philadelphia Bar Association, and Council for Parent and Attorney Advocates (COPAA)

Giovanni Campbell served as a faculty member with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) training lawyers to enhance their trial skills.

Participates in Law Related Education (LRE) Programs teaching in high school classrooms and presiding as judge in mock trial tournaments.

Provides pro bono representation, independently and in partnership with organizations, including the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Philadelphia Bar Association, and Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP).

Assists first responders and their spouses with basic estate planning through the “Wills for Heroes” program and participates in the Senior Law Center’s “hotline” for indigent senior citizens.

Giovanni Campbell has been endorsed by: Philadelphia Democratic City Committee; Philadelphia AFL-CIO; AFSCME District Council 33; AFSCME District Council 47; Americans for Democratic Action – Philadelphia Chapter; Equality Pennsylvania; Laborers District Council; Laborers Local 332; Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club; Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals; Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council; Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks;Philly for Change;Transport Workers Local 234; and United Steelworkers Local 10-1.

Franklin Institute Hawks Update

2013-05-09T23:31:00.004-04:00

Those who do not follow urban wildlife may not be familiar with the Franklin Institute hawks. Their nest is on a windowsill at the Institute. Last year the male hawk was killed before the baby hawks left the nest. A younger(?) male took over the food providing role. This year he and the female hawk returned to the nest and have hatched three eggs of their own.

There is a Hawkwatch blog, frequently updated and hosting a number of photographs. We've had a lot of bad news days lately and checking in with the hawks can be a welcome change of pace.

Change in SEPTA for Komen Race

2013-05-09T23:22:00.000-04:00

from the inbox:

SEPTA would like to advise customers about a number of bus detours that will be in place on Sunday, May 12, 2013 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. There will also be extra pre-race service on some Regional Rail lines.

More than a dozen bus routes operating on and around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and JFK Boulevard in the Art Museum area and parts of Center City will be adjusted due to road closures for the race.

Starting at approximately 7 a.m. Sunday, the following SEPTA bus routes will be detoured: 2, 7, 9, 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 43, 44, 48, 124 and 125. SEPTA will resume normal operations on these bus routes as soon as possible after the race.

Detour route information for all these buses, and any additional service adjustments that may be necessary, will be posted in the System Status section of SEPTA’s Website at http://www.septa.org/realtime/status/system-status.shtml.

SEPTA will also add six inbound Regional Rail trains on Sunday morning to accommodate runners and others traveling to the event. These trips, which supplement regularly scheduled

Regional Rail service, will arrive at Center City stations between 6 a.m. and 6:45 a.m.
The extra trip schedule for Regional Rail is as follows:
 Media/Elwyn Line: Extra trip departs from the Elwyn Station at 5:33 a.m.
 Wilmington/Newark Line: Extra trip departs from the Marcus Hook Station at 5:48 a.m.
 Lansdale/Doylestown Line: Extra trip departs from the Lansdale Station at 5:12 a.m.
 Manayunk/Norristown Line: Extra trip departs from the Elm Street Station at 5:48 a.m.
 Paoli/Thorndale Line: Extra trip departs from the Malvern Station at 5:20 a.m.
 West Trenton Line: Extra trip departs from the West Trenton Station at 5:18 a.m.

For more information, including full schedules and fares, visit www.septa.org. SEPTA Customer Service representatives are also available by phone at (215) 580-7800.

Rob McCord's Mother's Day Message

2013-05-09T23:03:00.000-04:00

from the inbox, a Mother's Day note from State Treasurer Rob McCord:

Each day, I am amazed at the care and affection my wife Leigh shows our two sons. This Mother’s Day, I join husbands, fathers, and children across Pennsylvania to celebrate the women who play the important role of mom in our lives.

There are many ways we can express our appreciation to the mothers in our lives – gifts of pampering, some high quality family time, or a meal cooked in her honor. But there is a gift you can give back to your mother that she may not have realized was hers in the first place – unclaimed property from the Pennsylvania Treasury.

Many people don’t realize they have unclaimed property – things like forgotten bank accounts, lost stocks or bonds, or uncashed checks. We estimate that Pennsylvanians have a one-in-10 chance of finding property in their name at www.patreasury.gov, so chances are good that you can find something for mom. This is one time that “re-gifting” won’t land you in the doghouse!

While you are spending time with your mother this weekend, don’t forget to help her find out if she can benefit from these other government programs and services:

· Homestead Exclusion property tax reduction
· Property Tax/Rent Rebate
· PACE and PACENET prescription assistance programs

And please be sure to visit www.patreasury.gov or call 1-800-222-2046 to find out if we are holding any property for the mother you celebrate this weekend. It’s free to search and claim property. If you find something in her name, you can let her know on Sunday that you are helping her put her money back in her wallet!

Legislative Notes for May 8th

2013-05-09T22:51:00.001-04:00

HB 1354 was introduced in the State House. It would change the way legislators are reimbursed for work-related expenses. It sounds very reasonable to me.

Guns and Little League Don't Mix

2013-05-08T23:55:00.001-04:00

from the inbox:

CeaseFirePA and Mayors Against Illegal Guns issued the following joint statement on the May 11^th Coalition for Peace Action gun violence prevention rally and the armed counter-protest:

Several weeks ago, more than a dozen grassroots gun violence prevention organizations came together to plan a peaceful rally for background checks and other common sense gun reforms.

Unfortunately, some individuals who disagree with this message have decided to stage an armed counter-protest in order to bully and intimidate the participants. It’s no surprise that the presence of armed bullies has led the police to recommend that the Little League consider relocating their games. Mayors Against Illegal Guns and CeaseFirePA continue to support the rally and the right of all the groups involved to peacefully assemble and loudly speak their minds. We respect the rights of those with differing views, but we urge them to refrain from intimidation and confrontation and leave their guns at home so the kids can play ball.

Background:On Monday, May 6, 2013, Morrisville Little League President Dan O’Connell was quoted in the Bucks County Courier Times:“I’m not upset with the Bux-Mont Coalition for Peace. I am not against the Second Amendment, and I have no problem with what they are looking to do, but now I hear pro-gun groups are going to be involved and they will be carrying firearms. How can I have all these kids playing baseball with that as a backdrop?”

Legislative Update for May 7th

2013-05-08T23:51:00.000-04:00

A few notes from yesterday's daily legislative activity email:

These bills were introduced and / or acted upon:

HB 764 on creating and using online accounts in someone's name (or a fictitious name) to harass or stalk another person, and the penalties for doing so. (I may not have described this correctly; please read the text of the bill for clarification).

HB 818 prohibits any state health exchange set up under the Affordable Care Act from offering abortion coverage (with exceptions which are referenced by another law and not spelled out), but insists that all state exchange programs offer care for postabortion complications and care for miscarriages.

SB5 really stumps me. It amends a community health bill to remove language specifying the provision for a mobile prenatal and natal education lab. It also amends the credentials required by people who staff clinics. The Senate journal could probably provide some context but today's Journal won't be available for awhile.