Every Voice, Every Vote

SEPTA is under pressure to save as much money as possible, but its service-cut strategy did not eliminate all routes with low ridership and high cost per passenger.

Most legislation to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania doesn’t survive a committee vote, but two years ago a bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

Service cuts could add 275,000 more vehicles to the road, and business leaders are concerned about congestion and lack of parking for commuters.

Cars parked during “no parking” hours along some street sweeping routes will be subject to fines of $31 starting Monday.

High-tech cameras will be mounted onto more than 150 buses and trolleys so the Philadelphia Parking Authority can identify and ticket vehicles illegally parked in bus lanes.

More than 60 community groups across Philly and surrounding suburbs will plant trees April 11 to 14.

The new unit will use high-tech surveillance to target people who dump trash on city streets and commit other quality-of-life crimes.

To continue the free transportation program for low-income Philadelphians, it would cost the city $30 million each year.

The public agency’s board of directors approved an agreement with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office on Saturday.

Mayor Cherelle Parker said it’s about balancing the city’s books during a time of financial uncertainty while offering some relief to businesses.

The plan includes expanding twice-weekly trash pickup to North Philly, fixing heating and air conditioning in libraries and adding planters to commercial corridors.

The mayor’s latest budget proposal calls on the city to borrow $800 million to create and preserve more affordable and market-rate units across the city.

Residents say they are tired of repeatedly cleaning up their communities. They urged the city to invest in education and enforcement.

Since last May, there’s been a 57% reduction in shootings in Kensington, and police have seized 24,000 grams of fentanyl, according to city officials.

The initiative will be informed by industry experts, with the Philadelphia Housing Authority playing a large role.