Government

Legislators, with all seats up for grabs in November, tacked on hundreds of millions of dollars in additional spending to the major budget increase already requested.

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.

“That’s a comprehensive approach that we’re taking to address this issue,” said Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson.

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.

The bill — dubbed the Voting Rights Protection Act — includes stricter voter ID, signature verification requirements, and limits on drop boxes.

Similar legislation has failed to move out of Republican-controlled committees, and it's unclear if this year will be any different.

The lesson, it seems, was in last month's primary, when voters approved two GOP-penned proposals to expand the power of lawmakers over a governor's disaster declarations.

Bearded bike-maker Stephen Bilenky typically builds high-performance steel bikes using vintage milling machines.

Ghee will also lead the Fair Housing Commission, the city agency tasked with addressing unfair rental practices in housing.

Republicans said terminating the emergency order was what Pennsylvanians demanded when they granted the legislative branch new powers during the May primary.

The outcome of the race will determine the balance of power in Harrisburg and could radically shape policies on everything from abortion to voting rights.

Buoyed by $3 billion in excess tax revenue and more than $7 billion in stimulus dollars, Democrats want the state to go big, while Republicans are wary of huge new spending.

Representatives voted 164 to 38 for the bill, which would permit dispensing a three-month supply at a time, up from one month's supply.

Biden used his weekly address for a brief Zoom chat with Obama to draw attention to the six-month expanded enrollment period that closes Aug. 15.

Supporters of the Free Library of Philadelphia are demanding the Kenney administration and City Council restore and boost funding for the 54-branch system.