Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. I No. 135

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

January 10, 2011

Philadelphia

Daily Record

We Three Kings

COUNCILWOMAN Maria QuiĂąones SĂĄnchez joined with Centro Musical near 5th & Lehigh Saturday to celebrate Puerto Rican tradition of Three Kings Day, when children leave cookies and milk for three Wise Men, hay and water for their camels. In return, the Three Kings give presents to children, like this lucky lad.

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US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) is calling on the Senate to adopt rule changes to reduce obstruction of legislation and encourage debate on issues important to Pennsylvanians and Americans. Senator Casey is supporting a new rule-reform package that would provide greater transparency, allow for a more equitable amendment process and to reduce procedural tactics used to prevent consideration of legislation.

“Partisan gridlock in Washington has been out of control,” said the Senator. “Senate rules have been abused in order to block legislation and prevent real debate on the problems facing the country. The Senate should adopt these commonsense rule changes to make Washington more efficient and reduce the political gamesmanship.”

Since entering the Senate, Casey has pursued rule changes to make Washington more effective. Over the past year, he has worked with his colleagues elected in 2006 and 2008 to reform Senate rules and change how the Senate operates.

The rules-reform package Casey is supporting has 26 Senate cosponTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

The rules reform package includes five provisions that would do the following: • Eliminate the Filibuster on Motions to Proceed: Makes motions to proceed not subject to a filibuster, but provides for two hours of debate. This proposal has had bipartisan support for decades and is often mentioned as a way to end the abuse of holds.

• Eliminate Secret Holds: Prohibits one senator from objecting on behalf of another, unless he or she discloses the name of the senator with the objection. This is a simple solution to address a longstanding problem.

• Guarantee Consideration of Amendments for both Majority and Minority: Protects the rights of the minority to offer amendments following cloture filing, provided the amendments are germane and have been filed in a timely manner.

• Talking Filibuster: Ensures real debate following a failed cloture vote. Senators opposed to proceeding to final passage will be required to continue debate as long as the subject of the cloture vote or an amendment, motion, point of order or other related matter is the pending business.

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• Expedite Nominations: Provide for two hours of post-cloture debate time for nominees. Post-cloture time is meant for debating and voting on amendments – something that is not possible on nominations.

Instead, the minority now requires the Senate use this time simply to Philadelphia Sheriff Barbara Deeprevent it from moving on to other ley on Friday placed the following business. senior staff members on immediate leave with pay pending their sepaThe very first amendment introration on Feb. 7, 2011: Tyrone duced by Casey in the Senate was Bynum, director of finance and signed into law as part of the land- compliance; Edward Chew, solicimark ethics-reform legislation. tor; and Crystal Stewart, real-estate Casey’s law shut down the K Street supervisor.

Project and made wrongfully influencing hiring practices a federal The Sheriff has reassigned Darrell crime. Republicans had used this Stewart, director of real estate, outvehicle to fill high-profile positions side of the Real Estate Division efwith Republican loyalists. The K fective immediately.

Street provision would prohibit a Member of Congress from influIn addition, Sheriff Deeley has terencing hiring decisions of private minated all agreements and busientities. Wrongful influence could ness relationships with Reach include threatening or withholding Communications and RCS official action. Those found guilty Searchers and all title companies of such actions would be subject to currently doing business with the fine, imprisonment or disqualifica- Sheriff’s Office. tion from public office.

The Sheriff has appointed former Casey has been an opponent of se- City Controller Joe Vignola to the cret holds that allow one senator to newly-created position of Chief obstruct legislation without pubDeputy for Finance and Accountalicly revealing their identity. In bility. Vignola’s first task will be to April 2010, he pledged to not place review all agreements and consecret holds and urged Senate lead- tracts signed by the Real Estate Diers to take up legislation to end the vision of the Sheriff’s Office and practice. spearhead an internal accounting of all Real Estate Division transactions.

Deeley Acts Swiftly To Clean House At Sherriff’s Office

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

In light of the impact these moves will have on the ability of the Sheriff’s Office to conduct real-estate sales, Deeley has issued a 50-day moratorium on all sheriff sales effective immediately.

Deeley said, “My actions today have been taken in full consultation with President Judge Pamela Dembe. I intend to work closely with Judge Dembe in the coming weeks to restructure the Real Estate Division of the Sheriff’s Office.”

Deeley continued, “These steps have been taken in full cognizance of the important work done by City Controller Alan Butkovitz in auditing the Sheriff’s Office. The findings in his report are, in large part, the impetus for the actions I have taken today.”

Deeley concluded, “My actions are in no way a reflection on the integrity and work ethic of the men and women who continue to work in the Sheriff’s Office. These men and women, some of whom risk their lives every day, continue to have my full confidence and respect.”

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Payton Intros Bill To Save Millions On 911 State Rep. Tony Payton (D-Phila.) will introduce legislation to consolidate the State’s emergency 911 call centers.

Payton said the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has publicly indicated the programs are inadequately funded, and added if the 911 centers were consolidated, they could save taxpayers as much as $100 million annually.

“We have a massive budget deficit, and our new Governor has indicated he will not increase taxes, so we’re going to have to come up with new ways to balance Pennsylvania’s budget,” Payton explained.

“My bill would have PEMA study how to effectively reduce the size of our emergency call-center footprint without diminishing public safety. Doing so would secure adequate funding for an improved 911 system, while providing revenue for other programs that will help grow our tax base.

“We need to use a scalpel, not an axe, to reduce unwise government spending without harming essential services in the budget,” Payton continued. “Furthermore, funding that is freed up from the savings of a statewide consolidation could be used for programs that expand the 4|

tax base, such as the proposed REACH scholarship legislation, or other programs that attract and retain STEM-related industries and employment opportunities. This 911 consolidation proposal gets us moving in the right direction.”

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

The State’s 911 system is funded through the Emergency Services Fund, which includes fees collected from every wireless service customer, funds appropriated by the General Assembly and funds from private or public sources.

Payton’s resolution would urge PEMA to conduct a competitive bidding process to hire experts to study the Emergency Services Fund and analyze cost-benefit ratios. The study’s results and recommendations would be provided to the General Assembly by Nov. 30, 2011.

The Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act of 1990 requires the State to provide a toll-free number 911 for any individual within this Commonwealth to gain rapid, direct access to emergency aid. The Enhanced 911 Service or E-911 is an emergency telephone service providing for automatic identification of caller location and calling number.

Incoming Gambling Watchdog Wants Open Bidding On Foxwoods License

by Jim Panyard SPECIAL FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA INDEPENDENT— The State’s gambling industry will be under much stricter scrutiny by the General Assembly if the new head of the House Gaming Oversight Committee has his way.

State Rep. Curt Schroder (RChester) said Friday, “We intend to give real meaning to the word ‘oversight,’” contending the previously Democrat-led committee was too lax in looking at the industry and state Gaming Control Board.

Schroder also said he will introduce legislation for the now-vacant casino license once held by Foxwoods for a location in the city of Philadelphia to be open for bidding with a minimum floor of $50 million. The State’s other licenses were sold for a flat $50 million.

He said whether the license goes for another Philadelphia casino plan or elsewhere in the state “is something the market should decide.”

“The law is currently silent on the

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

10 JANUARY, 2011

rebidding of a vacated license,” he said.

Despite several years of effort, the Foxwoods group was ultimately unable to put together a package to develop a casino. The GCB revoked the license in December.

The Oversight Committee will also examine whether the duties of the GCB’s investigatory arm, the Bureau of Industry Enforcement, should be turned over to state law enforcement agencies, most likely the Pennsylvania State Police, Schroder said.

The lawmaker also questioned whether the “fiduciary duties” of the GCB should be placed with another entity. He said the board has appeared to be more concerned with industry profits than with regulation.

somewhat recently, but under [former GCB chairman Tad] Decker, the term ‘fiduciary duty’ was prostituted,” Schroder said.

Asked about four GCB positions up for renewal by the end of January and whether he believed the current members should be reappointed, Schroder said, “That is not my decision.”

The Representative also said he wrote a letter of recommendation to Gov.-Elect Tom Corbett for former State Rep. Jerry Birmelin, a Pike Co. Republican, for a possible GCB spot.

The Board positions up for renewal are to be nominated by Corbett, Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson), Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) and House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny).

“That situation may have improved

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Jan. 14Fundraiser Reception for Council candidate Lawrence Clark at Chart House, 555 S. Columbus Blvd., 6-9 p.m. Tickets $15.

Jan. 17MLK celebration and Awards by American Legion Henry Hill Post 385 and McDonald’s at Grays Ferry, at Mtg. Zion Pentecostal Ch., 122628 Point Breeze Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Commander William Denny host.

Jan. 17Phila.Tea Party Patriots NW meeting at Kendrick Rec Ctr., 5800 block Ridge Ave. by Roxborough Mem. Hosp. at 7 p.m. Speakers are Commissioner candidate Al Schmidt and Council candidate Sandy Stewart.

For info Mike Lodise (2115) 4870118 or Pat Haraburda (215) 4827991, or teapartynw@comcast.net.

Jan. 19Reception for GOP 1st Council Dist. candidate Lou Lanni at home of 5th Ward Leader Michael A. Cibik, Esq., 334 S. Front Street, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jan. 27Edward J. Lowry, founder of Phila.

Veterans MultiService & Education Ctr., will be honored on retirement at Waterfall Rm. in Plumbers Local 690 Union Hall, 2791 Southampton Rd., Cocktails 6-8 p.m., followed

by Tribute Program. Tickets $65.

Order by phone (215) 238-8050.

Event Chair Ed Keenan, Board Chair Jim McNesby and Exec. Dir. Marsha Four. |

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