Love sitting in traffic? You'll hate funding SEPTA!
No. 52 | Monday, June 2, 2025
City News
The proposed cuts to SEPTA would cause drivers to spend 70,000 more hours each weekday morning in Philadelphia traffic and put 275,000 more cars on the road.
Philly is now a “welcoming city,” not a “sanctuary city,” per the Parker administration. It’s a tepid confirmation that, for now, executive orders preventing local law enforcement from collaborating with ICE will remain in place.
The Philadelphia Board of Education reversed its prior decision and authorized the creation of a new charter school for the first time since the city retook control of the board, which ended the state takeover in 2018. The reversal came after a campaign supported by local politicians, likely including Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who has become a champion of the charter school lobby.
President Trump nominated Emil Bove, his former criminal defense lawyer, to fill a vacancy on the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. In his current role at the Justice Department, Bove has dutifully attacked Trump’s foes and rewarded his friends.
Citing security concerns, the Philadelphia Zoo uninvited a drag performer scheduled to appear at a Pride-themed story hour, leading the local LGBTQ nonprofit co-hosting the event to withdraw entirely.
Penn is caving to the Trump administration's anti-trans agenda and limiting gender-affirming care for minors.
VietLead, a nonprofit that provides services for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian communities, is in financial crisis. Much of its staff will be laid off, threatening its community defense initiatives amidst Trump's anti-immigrant crackdown.
Failed mayoral candidate and luxury real estate developer Allan Domb says his Tax Reform Commission's proposal to cut business taxes is the "last, best chance" to lift Philadelphia out of poverty. He is wrong.
State News
In the largest organizing drive of Pennsylvania nurses in recent history, workers at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh have filed for a union election.
Pennsylvania is the last state in the nation that still elects poll workers, and precincts across the state are struggling to find people to run.
At a rally outside Pittsburgh, President Trump seemed to reverse course and support Nippon Steel’s $14 billion bid for U.S. Steel. He also announced he’d double steel tariffs.
A statewide database created in the wake of George Floyd’s murder to track officer misconduct is a mess that is not being used as intended.
Pennsylvania legislators seem unlikely to reach a deal to legalize recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania before the June 30 budget deadline. A major sticking point is whether medical cannabis companies will be allowed to sell recreationally, which would give them a big advantage over upstart small businesses.
Under socialism, there will be no paywalls...until then, use this.
Add this to the list of Philly superlatives: Our city is home to the second-hottest MLB mascot, according to a dubiously scientific analysis by a sports betting company. (Baxter the Bobcat of the Arizona Diamondbacks is #1, apparently.)
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