Philadelphia
Major US Cities Face Challenging Budget Shortfalls, Report Shows
The Pew Charitable Trusts studied 13 major cities and found they face fiscal 2021 budget shortfalls of up to 17%, and they are using creative methods to try to balance their budgets.
Pandemic-Paused Plastic Bag Bans Ripped Anew by Critics
Philadelphia’s bag ban was delayed due to the pandemic, which has derailed similar bans across the country. Eight states have anti-plastic bag laws on the books.
The Hours Americans Reclaimed by Sitting Less in Traffic
As the pandemic cut the amount of commuters and other motorists on the road last year, drivers nationwide saved over 3 billion hours compared to 2019, according to new estimates.
Proposed Safe-Injection Site in Philadelphia Found Illegal by Federal Appeals Court
The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 decision that found a plan to open the nation’s first supervised drug injection site violates a federal law passed to shut down crack houses.
A City Looks to Incorporate More, and More Diverse, Input Into Its Budget Process
Philadelphia this week announced a participatory budgeting program for a $1 million pot of money, as well as other initiatives geared toward reducing racial inequities with city spending.
Judge Rules Cities’ Muni Bond Rate-Fixing Lawsuit Against Big Banks Can Proceed
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | One Republican governor says he voted for Joe Biden … Federal judge strikes down “public charge” rule … Oil clean up on Maryland and Delaware beaches.
Supreme Court to Consider LGBTQ Rights and Foster Care the Day After Election
The case, which concerns a taxpayer-funded Catholic adoption agency, could make a big impact on LGBTQ rights and force changes in government contracting practices with religious organizations.
Philadelphia Imposes Curfew, Calls National Guard to Quell Violence Over Police Shooting
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Thousands in Oklahoma City are without power after an autumn ice storm… The Justice Department launches probe of New Jersey veterans’ homes… New study says a flu shot could reduce the risk of catching Covid-19.
Pennsylvania’s New Vote-by-Mail Law Expands Access for Everyone Except the Poor
In America’s poorest big city, language barriers, unstable housing and lack of internet access make voting by mail difficult. So low-income Philadelphia residents will be voting in person, if at all.
State and Local Officials Seek to Reassure Voters about Potential Poll Watcher Intimidation
Following President Trump’s call to his supporters to deploy themselves as poll watchers, state and local government officials are working to ensure that voters can cast their ballots without intimidation.
From Jacksonville to Louisville, Confederate Statues Are Coming Down
Calls to remove the statues, denounced as symbols of white supremacy, were reignited in the wake of national protests against police brutality and the death of George Floyd.
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