Butkovitz on Your Money

Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz says the reassessment of Philadelphia real estate taxes will be a tax increase for many.  In his words, “It may knock a lot of people’s socks off.”  Butkovitz says some people may see “a doubling or tripling” of real estate taxes.  Alan Butkovitz has been the City Controller for 6 [...]

Runyan Off and Running

In another race to watch this fall, Congressman Jon Runyan says “We’re gonna get our country back.” The Republican New Jersey Congressman from the 3rd Congressional District Tuesday night officially kicked off his campaign for re-election in Burlington County. He made a similar announcement Monday night in Toms River, Ocean County. Speaking at the Westin Hotel in Mt. [...]

“Occupy” Runs for Congress

An “Occupy” challenger to a Democratic incumbent has entered a Democratic primary race for Congress in the Philadelphia region. Nathan Kleinman hopes to defeat veteran incumbent Allyson Schwartz in the 13th Congressional District, which is parts of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia. Nate Kleinman made his announcement today on the steps of the Montgomery County [...]

Your Home’s Worth What?

What is your home worth and what can revive the housing market? Recognized housing expert Kevin Gillen, Ph.D., tells me that home prices have declined about 18 percent in Philadelphia since the peak of prices in 2007. The decline in the suburbs has been about 22 to 30 percent.  Gillen says the larger drop in [...]

Game On: Update Petitions

Both major candidates have now filed in the heating up race for Congress in the newly drawn 7th Congressional District.  Republican incumbent Pat Meehan announced today he has filed 4,750 signatures with the PA Department of State to become an official candidate.  A minimum of 1,000 signatures is required.  Democrat George Badey says he has submitted in excess [...]

Murphy vs. Kane

Game on in the race for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania Attorney General, and, even though Tom Corbett is not on the ballot, it’s clear both candidates consider him a target in this election. Patrick Murphy and Kathleen Kane debated Friday night at the Arch Street United Methodist Church in Center City, Philadelphia. It was the [...]

Badey vs. Meehan in PA 7th.

Attorney George Badey, of Radnor, continues his steady march toward officially declaring his candidacy for Congress as a Democrat and challenging incumbent Congressman Pat Meehan, a Republican, in the 7th Congressional District. Badey tells me today that he continues to concentrate on gathering signatures on his candidacy petitions ahead of Tuesday’s filing deadline. He appeared [...]

9-11

I’ve spent some time reflecting on 9-11. The Garden of Reflection is a good place to do that. I’ve  spoken with Rabbi Richard Hirsh, Reverend Sherri Hausser, and Imam Marc Manley, all three of whom are among those involved with the Philadelphia Interfaith Center, which since shortly after 9-11 has endeavored to encourage respect between and among religions [...]

Rendell on Obama, Biden, Hillary and your roads & taxes

 Governor Ed Rendell told me in conversation on NBC10 that he believes President Barack Obama is not in danger of being a one-term President, but he did have a criticism about the Administration.  Says Governor Rendell, ”I think the President’s done a good job, his communication’s strategy has been awful…We got outspun on the  stimulus. We [...]

Sestak v. Specter Final Hours

In the final hours of the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary campaign, I spoke with Joe Sestak and Arlen Specter on this Sunday’s “NBC10 at Issue.”  I asked Congressman Sestak what being a Democrat means to him.  Sestak answered, “That working families have a chance. That those who are unemployed have someone in Washington who will be [...]