Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. III No. 38 (406)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

February 29, 2012

Philadelphia Daily Record

Still Down

MANUFACTURING is experiencing a bit of a revival nationally – but not in Phila., reports City Controller Alan Butkovitz. Story page 3.

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Kevin and Brendan Boyle Black tie preferred. Chair kick off reelection camHon. Amato Berardi. Indipaigns at The Hop Angel, vidual seating $185. For de7980 Oxford Ave., 5:30tails Judy Camiel (610) 7:30 p.m. Buffet, open bar 668-1730. and 50/50 raffle $30 per person. RSVP (276) 988Mar. 12Cocktail Event 6257 or send checks for State Rep. Tina Davis at payable to Friends of Kevin Zia’s at Red Door, 110 N. Boyle, 8035 Burholme 2nd St., Harrisburg, Pa. Ave., Phila., PA 19111.

Tickets $50, $100, $500 and $1,000. For info Seth Mar. 3Bill Brunkel Skversky (215) 550-1186. hosts Irish Night With State Rep. John Taylor at McCul- Mar. 13Friends of lough Ha., 6309 Torresdale Damon Roberts hosts Ave., 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Ticket fundraiser at S. Philly Tap $30. Includes beer, soda, Room, 1509 Mifflin St., 6-8 and food. BYOB and setups pm. welcomed. Music: Celtic Mar. 15Councilman Jim Connection. For info Paul Kenney’s St. Patrick’s Day Kiser (609) 774-1397, Fax Party at Galdo’s, 20th & (215) 739-7776.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Casey Bill Seeks Flex Time For Families US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) have introduced the Working Families Flexibility Act which will ensure working Americans can ask their employer for modified schedules so they can balance the demands of their jobs and their home life.

“In the current economic environment, it is increasingly difficult for Pennsylvanians to balance the demands of work and family,” said Casey. “This bill will help businesses benefit from more productive employees and empower workers with the knowledge of what arrangements are possible to accommodate

their family life.”

“It’s time for employers and the government to recognize the 21st-century needs of families – to help raise kids or care for aging parents – more effectively,” Maloney said. “Flexible work arrangements are a winwin for employers and employees. Workplace flexibility has been shown to help businesses retain good workers and help employees juggle the demands of the way we live now.”

The Working Families Flexibility Act will allow employers and employees to engage in constructive dialogue over modify-

ing where and when employees work so they can find the best solutions to the work-life challenges they face.

This legislation builds on strategies used by the most successful companies, which have realized that happy employees tend to be more productive employees.

Under the legislation, an employee may request to modify his or her hours, schedule, or work location. Employees who make requests are protected from retaliation, and employers who deny a request must explain the grounds for denial.

Manufacturing Jobs Down 18% In 4 Years City Controller Alan Butkovitz today released his latest economic report that indicates the City of Philadelphia’s manufacturing industry lost 5,000 jobs over the last four years, marking a 17.6% decline.

In December 2007, there were 28,400 manufacturing jobs in Philadelphia. Since that time,

manufacturing employment has declined every year to where it now stands at 23,400. The construction industry also declined by 18.6%, losing 2,200 jobs during this same period.

Other Philadelphia industries that have experienced declines in employment include: Financial Activities, down 10.3%; Profes-

sional & Business Services (includes Legal), down 9.3%; and Information Services, down 2.4%.

Overall, Philadelphia lost 9,100 jobs since December 2007. The total number of jobs lost was cushioned by 12,200 jobs that were gained in the education, health services and leisure and

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD hospitality industries. These were the only industries in the City that increased employment over this period.

Along with reviewing Philadelphia’s employment conditions, the Controller’s economic report showed that monthly tax revenues for January, both City and PICA portions, totaled $235 million. Monthly sales tax collections totaled $20.3 million, marking the third-consecutive month of increases over the prior period.

The Controller’s economic report is compiled on a monthly basis and in-

cludes an Economic Snapshot and Forecast, as well as real estate information and other local statistics.

These reports are circulated every month to assist key decision makers in understanding and anticipating local and national economic trends.

The Controller’s economic report is a useful tool for policy makers and analysts in understanding our regional and local economy.

To view the Economic Forecast and Monthly Snapshot, please visit the City Controller’s website at www.philadelphiacontroller.org.

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SEPTA Sets ‘Gold Std.’ For Transit Safety

SEPTA’S GEN. MGR. Joseph M. Casey and Police Chief Richard Evans proudly display “Gold Standard” award for their strong security program. National award was presented by Transportation Security Administration’s Administrator John S. Pistole. SEPTA is one of 17 transit agencies nationwide to pass rigorous Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement.

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Josephs: Gun Lobbyists Threaten City Laws State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-S. Phila.) said she is opposing legislation that would hamper Pennsylvanians who have worked to restrain the proliferation of illegal guns.

Introduced by State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), the bill would permit the courts to award triple the damages to those who win a lawsuit against municipalities that have chosen to fight gun violence by enacting stricter firearm regulations than the State’s.

The bill was reported out of the House Judiciary Committee last month and is due to be considered by the full House when it returns to session.

Metcalfe’s bill also would permit organizations to sue municipalities who have imposed their own firearms ordinances. In other words, Josephs said, the organizations who support gun proliferation could sue any local government that dared offend it by trying to protect its citizens.

“The gun lobby has deep pockets, but under this bill they would force impoverished local governments to spend taxpayer dollars to defend their regulations,” she said.

“This proposal is outrageous. It is specifically aimed at citizens who have the courage to stand up to the international gun industry and who have 6|

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done so without arming themselves.

“This bill is another bullying tactic by the gun lobby, but I look on this as a tribute to gun-control organizers and the vast majority of citizens, including responsible gun owners, who know we have too many guns in our society. Gun violence is an epidemic, so municipalities are doing what Republicans and the Corbett administration refuse to do: stand up to the gun lobby and fight gun violence,” she said.

“Metcalfe is reacting to the spectacular gains gun-control advocates have systematically made all over the state by changing local jurisdictions one by one to impose reasonable and responsible gun ordinance. It’s a brilliant tactic.

“The gun lobby already pours too much money into this state and has too much control. As a result, too many of our residents are being killed by illegal handguns. Our cities, towns and suburbs that have had the courage to fight back should be applauded for their efforts, rather than being threatened with litigation and intimidation.”

Currently, 30 municipalities have implemented their own gun policies distinct from the State; Philadelphia is one.

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PGW Reduces Natural Gas Rates The Philadelphia Gas Works today announced that it will decrease what residential customers pay for natural gas. The average residential heating customer will pay about 6.6% less per month for supply for the next three months.

The new cost for gas will change from $1.51 per Ccf to $1.40 per Ccf. Residential heating customers will pay $1.40 per 100 cubic feet (Ccf) of natural gas beginning Mar. 1, 2012. The price for PGW’s commercial, industrial and municipal customers will also decrease on Mar. 1, 2012.

The rate will stay in effect through Jun. 1, 2012, when PGW will determine, based on

market conditions, whether or not the rate should change.

“Everyone at PGW understands natural gas is a necessary expense for our customers. Thanks to our storage and contracting practices, we can purchase more economically priced natural gas for our customers,” said Craig E. White, president and CEO of PGW. “In fact, thanks to these very practices, this is the fourth quarter in a row we have reported a decrease.”

With the abundance of natural gas available, the company anticipates its rates should remain stable for the foreseeable future, based on current market projections, producing savings for all of the company’s customers

compared to recent years.

PGW’s residential natural gas rates are made up of two main components: a supply charge and delivery charge: The supply charge is the part of the bill that reflects the amount of gas used by the customer.

This charge is what PGW pays for the gas and is passed on to the customer without markup.

The delivery charge includes the cost of delivering natural gas to the customer’s meter, distribution-system maintenance and customer-billing costs, as well as weather adjustments.

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