Yass's fortune could fund 200+ SEPTAs
No. 47 | Monday, April 28, 2025
City News
The “Protect our Workers, Enforce Rights,” or POWER Act, passed out of City Council committee on Friday. The bill, sponsored by DSA Councilmember Kendra Brooks and supported by the National Domestic Workers Alliance, strengthens enforcement of the city’s Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.
Whole Foods is firing pro-union workers. In January, the Spring Garden grocery store became the first of the Amazon-owned chain to unionize.
A study found the proposed SEPTA cuts would reduce the city’s tax base by $20 billion in lost property values alone — not to mention the 76,000 lost jobs.
A Philadelphia cop escorted an immigrant into ICE custody immediately after a judge dismissed charges against him—a sharp reminder that, though Philly remains a sanctuary city in name, Mayor Parker has not reaffirmed the commitment. Meanwhile, the Bucks County sheriff has signed an agreement with ICE to facilitate coordination with local law enforcement.
Despite widespread community opposition, Councilmember Lozada's bill, which would restrict mobile services that serve people struggling with homelessness and addiction in Kensington, advanced out of committee. Just Councilmember Landau and DSA Councilmembers O'Rourke and Brooks voted against. A vote on its final passage could come as soon as this week.
Philadelphia student newspapers are grappling with requests for anonymity on past articles from students who fear retribution or even deportation based on their reporting.
Environmental activists called on Mayor Parker to reign in Philadelphia Gas Works, which WHYY recently revealed has been funding an industry group that is lobbying against clean energy funding. Parker still has not addressed the issue publicly.
Only three Philadelphia schools employ full-time librarians, which is among the worst ratios in any big city in the country. The Trump administration just cancelled a grant intended to help fix the shortage.
We can't get money for public transportation, but the PPD can pay for a dozen cops and a helicopter to stop graffiti.
State News
Pennsylvania's own Jeff Yass is #25 on the Forbes World's Billionaires list. His $59 billion fortune is larger than the state budget.
Delaware County's largest health system, Crozer Health, is being shuttered by its for-profit owner despite multiple cash infusions facilitated by state, county, and nonprofit officials. Thousands will lose their jobs, and doctors worry it could be life or death for patients traveling farther distances for emergency care.
Trump's USDA gutted climate grants for small farmers in PA, forcing layoffs and abandoning plans to fight erosion and rising heat.
The state’s program to pay utility bills for low-income residents has been forced to stop paying after the Trump administration fired the federal workers who administrate it. Despite having another $19 million in funding this year, the program’s fate is uncertain, leaving thousands of households unsure if they will be able to keep the power on.
Our own Senator Fetterman really loves war, this time telling Trump to attack Iran in an interview with a right-wing website.
Multiple wildfires across the state scorched thousands of acres, fueled by dry conditions and high winds, before crews contained most of them.
Mercer County towns are literally paying people to move there, dangling cash, pool passes, and even free summer camp to lure new residents. The catch? You’ve gotta commit two years to Western PA.
Under socialism, there will be no paywalls...until then, use this.
The Weekly Rose
25 Bucks County cows escaped a farm during a storm. Some went to the beer store!
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