Suburban residents who normally commute into Philadelphia for work, but stayed home due to the pandemic, are facing red tape and hurdles as they try to get reimbursed for the wage taxes they paid while working from home.
By Linda Stein
White House report grades Pennsylvania infrastructure C-
A White House report rates Pennsylvania’s infrastructure at a C- after decades of “systemic” underfunding.
By Christen Smith
Delco signals it intends to run prison at 70 percent capacity in the future
After taking over George W. Hill prison, the Delaware County Council county intends to run the correctional facility at somewhere between 60 to 70 percent of the prison’s original capacity.
By Todd Shepherd
Zuckerberg-funded 2020 election grants skewed heavily toward PA’s ‘blue’ counties
Approximately $20.8 million in election grants from a Zuckerburg-funded non-profit went to at least 21 Pennsylvania counties. While grant proponents say they went to both “red” and “blue” counties, a B+L analysis shows “red” county grants were a fraction of what was given to “blue” counties.
By Todd Shepherd
Delco’s fiscal watchdog pushes back against pay raise and bonus proposals
With a still uncertain financial situation, Delaware County leaders have been debating and approving various pay hikes and vague payouts to certain government employees. The county controller has raised concerns over perceived unfairness to both county workers who won’t benefit and to taxpayers.
By Todd Shepherd
Pennsylvania’s vaccination rate for seniors still among worst in nation
Despite an influx of COVID-19 vaccines to Pennsylvania over the past month, the rate of residents 65 and older fully immunized still ranks near the bottom of all 50 states.
By Christen Smith
Pending bill opens litigation window for child sex abuse survivors in Pennsylvania
A bill pending in the Pennsylvania General Assembly opens a two-year litigation window for survivors of child sex abuse to sue their perpetrators after a botched constitutional amendment set back the issue until 2023.
By Christen Smith
Inquirer stands by disputed claim that PA has “drastically reduced” school funding
The Inquirer has refused to correct the claim of one of their columnists that state funding for public schools has been reduced in recent decades. A spokesman for Pa. House Republicans said the Inquirer’s assertions were “not based in reality,” and an education researcher urged the paper to stop “peddling this false narrative.”
By Todd Shepherd
Under pressure from Delaware Valley, state abandons mass vax plan
After weeks of pushback and complaints from Delaware Valley residents and legislators over an ineffective vaccination distribution strategy, the Wolf administration has relented.
By Charlie O’Neill
Consultant says Delco prison deprivatization is feasible, but operator says the study has errors
A financial assessment of a potential county takeover of the privately run county jail in Delco shows little cost increases. Critics contend that the assessment missed big costs, and doesn’t account for how well-run and safe the prison currently is.
By Todd Shepherd