Michael Nutter’s mayoral legacy, meet Mayor Clarke?, transit incentive cut, Furness goes tiki, cartographic art

The Inquirer editorializes today about Mayor Nutter’s second term legacy-building opportunities in the city’s education and public safety crises, as well as the need to meet pension obligations, reform tax structures, and repair damage done by public agency scandals. That all? Small wonder that after his inaugural party Mayor Nutter announced his retirement from Rapper’s Delight, after performing it with The Roots. [video]

But what would happen if Mayor Nutter actually left office before his term was up? Patrick Kerkstra ponders the question in The Philly Post, foreseeing a scenario in which Mayor Nutter could jump ship in favor of a position in the Obama administration. Say, after a narrow victory in which Pennsylvania is pivotal. In that case, meet Mayor Darrell Clarke, who would fill in until the next general election.

SEPTA riders may have noticed that their pre-tax transit dollars aren’t going as far anymore. Starting this month SEPTA riders can set aside $125 in pre-tax dollars to spend on monthly transit passes, down from $230, NewsWorks reports. Congress allowed the transit incentive increase, which was part of the stimulus bill, to expire even as the incentive to drive and park at work was increased to $240. This comes as transit ridership is on the rise, despite deepening transit budget cuts.

The folks behind Farmers’ Cabinet plan to transform the Frank Furness bank building at 6th and Spring Garden into a brewery/beer hall/tiki bar, reports foobooz. Furness designed the building for the Northern Savings Fund Society in the 1870s, and more recently has housed various nightclubs.

One man creates the best map of the United States. Ever? Slate explains the finer points of graphic information art.

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest.