NJ Transit woes, soda tax update, Johnny Doc indicted

Three local stories; the problems with NJ Transit, an update on soda tax revenue with the Mayor's Chief of Staff, and the political fallout of the indictment of Johnny Doc.

Air Date: February 4, 2019 10:00 am

John Dougherty, (right), makes some brief comments to the media, in Philadelphia. The powerful union boss who has held a tight grip on construction jobs and politics in the Philadelphia region and beyond has been indicted in an FBI probe along with a city councilman and at least six others. Federal prosecutors say Dougherty used union funds as "his own personal bank account." Dougherty leads the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, along with the city's Building Trades Council. He has been at the helm of the century-old electricians union for 25 years. (Charles Fox/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, File)

Guests: Larry Higgs, Jim Engler, Dave Davies

We’re going to cover a few local stories today, and we begin by discussing some of the problems plaguing NJ Transit, as well as the governor’s promise to fix them by the end of the year. NJ Advance Media’s commuting reporter LARRY HIGGS fills us in on the latest. Then, Mayor Jim Kenny’s Chief of Staff JIM ENGLER stops by to talk about the beverage tax – the revenues, funding for the city’s pre-K program, and whether or not the idea for the tax came from recently-indicted union leader, John Dougherty. Speaking of which, we’ll spend the last segment discussing the federal indictment of “Johnny Doc” and his ally on Philadelphia City Council, Bobby Henon. WHYY’s DAVE DAVIES will break down the charges and tell us what this says about Philly politics.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.