Politics & Policy
N.J. chemical recycling bill sets stage for industry’s battle with environmentalists
The bill would be among the most progressive recycled content rules in the country, and would complement the single-use plastic and paper bag ban Murphy signed into law.
3 years ago
How one Pennsylvania lawmaker billed taxpayers $1.8 million in expenses
Mileage, meals, lodging, travel, and a special perk called per diems are part of the hidden costs charged to taxpayers to support Pennsylvania’s legislature.
3 years ago
Afghan interpreters who await visas after helping the U.S. now fear for their lives
"Every day, you can see an increase in the Taliban's presence," an Afghan who worked with the U.S. tells NPR. "Am I going to even be alive by December?"
3 years ago
For the U.S. census, keeping your data anonymous and useful is a tricky balance
The Census Bureau must protect people's privacy when releasing demographic data. Plans to change how it does that have sparked concern over how it may affect redistricting.
3 years ago
Democrats see springboard for health care in high court win
With the Affordable Care Act now secure in the framework of the nation's health care programs, Democrats are eager to leap above and beyond.
3 years ago
After abuses at residential facilities, Philly to create new youth ombudsperson office
Philadelphia will create a new youth ombudsperson office designed to advocate for vulnerable young people in group homes and other residential facilities.
3 years ago
Philly anti-violence activists are hopeful about new funding for prevention efforts
Philadelphia is set to spend $155M on anti-violence efforts in the next fiscal year. It’s not all new funding, still the total is a sizable increase.
3 years ago
‘We owe them a better life’: Delaware approves $15 minimum wage
Three years ago lawmakers fought overnight about raising the lowest legal wage to $9.25 an hour. Now Delaware is joining nine other states with a path to $15.
3 years ago
Philly’s new budget includes mini cut to wage tax, more anti-violence funding
City Council and Mayor Jim Kenney’s final $5 billion budget deal includes more spending on public services and smaller tax cuts than originally proposed.
3 years ago
Does the U.S. need a truth and reconciliation commission?
After the social unrest prompted by the murder of George Floyd, some are asking: Is it finally time for the U.S. to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
Air Date: June 18, 2021
Listen 49:29Philly City Council strikes ‘historic’ anti-violence funding deal as budget talks drag on
“That’s a comprehensive approach that we’re taking to address this issue,” said Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson.
3 years ago
The Philly ethics board fines PAC formed by retired cops that spent big against Krasner
The Philadelphia Board of Ethics issued a $12,000 fine against a PAC that supported a challenger to District Attorney Larry Krasner.
3 years ago
Council pushes to make funding the Housing Trust Fund mandatory, despite Kenney opposition
Green’s bill would earmark 0.5% of the total general fund dollars, which is estimated to start at $26 million in the first year, for the Housing Trust Fund.
3 years ago
Juneteenth is now a federal holiday
Juneteenth is celebrated annually on the 19th of June to mark the date some of the last enslaved people in the Confederacy became free.
3 years ago
After 50 years of the War On Drugs, ‘what good is it doing for us?’
Nixon called for an "all-out offensive" against drugs. The U.S. is now rethinking policies that led to mass incarceration and shattered families while drug deaths kept rising.
3 years ago