Government & Civic Life
-
Chester County’s Melissa Shusterman Among Small Group of Lawmakers Forgoing Pay During Budget Impasse
Democratic Rep. Melissa Shusterman of Chester County is among a small group of Pennsylvania lawmakers forgoing their paychecks during the state budget impasse, writes Aliya Schneider for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Shusterman, who is joined by nine colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, is suspending her pay while funds are withheld from schools and other crucial services. …
-
A Human Rights Commission Is Being Looked at for Delaware County
Delaware County could have a Human Relations Commission that would hear alleged human rights violations county-wide in areas of housing, employment, medical care, and education. The 12-member volunteer commission would have the authority to evaluate complaints, mediate disputes, schedule public hearings, and levy fines of up to $500 for violators, writes Kathleen E. Carey for…
-
Delaware County’s Flood Prone Areas Lose Federal Grants to Fix the Problem
Delaware County residents are feeling ‘abandoned’ after the Trump Administration cut grants for work meant to mitigate flooding for Darby Creek and Cobbs Creek, writes Katie Bernard for The Philadelphia Inquirer. A technical assistance grant from FEMA would have helped Delaware County find solutions to expected flooding problems for Colwyn, Sharon Hill and Darby Township…
-
Remembering Ghebre Selassie Mehreteab, National Housing Partnership Co-Founder from West Chester
Ghebre Selassie Mehreteab, from West Chester, co-founder and former chief executive officer of the National Housing Partnership, died on Aug. 7 at 76, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Mehreteab also served as urban poverty program officer for the Ford Foundation and as a senior executive for the New World Foundation. He was a…
-
Stalled State Budget Negotiations Impact Crucial Services in Chester County
Chester County’s three state senators are criticizing their Republican colleagues for failing to reach a compromise on the Pennsylvania budget, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY. Stalled budget talks have already forced changes to SEPTA’s operations and are now starting to impact vital community services in Pennsylvania’s most affluent county. “Chester County’s human services departments have…
-
Chester County Government Steps Up in Support of Chester County Food Bank Needs
In response to critical funding shortfalls caused by significant federal budget cuts, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe have accelerated the release of county-directed support for the Chester County Food Bank. A $75,000 grant—the remaining portion of the food bank’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—has been disbursed early…
-
Chestnut Hill Man Has Unique Wishes On What To Do With His Body Once He Passes Away
Typically when a person passes away, their body gets embalmed, cremated, or placed into a coffin, but a Chestnut Hill doesn’t want any of those options. Paul Meshejian, 76, heard about human composting, and that decided that is the path he wants taken when he passes away, writes Aliya Schneider for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The…
-
Chester County Names Kelly Laubach Director of Procurement and General Services
The job of ensuring Chester County Government buys its own goods, supplies, and services on time while complying with the law, and at the most competitive price, is now the responsibility of Kelly Laubach, the county’s new Director of Procurement and General Services. Laubach joins Chester County following more than 20 years with the Berks…
-
Chester County Appoints ‘Rare Title’ of Chief Experience Officer to Megan Moser
Megan Moser, M.P.A., has been named as the new Chief Experience Officer for Chester County Government, following ratification at the latest Commissioners’ public meeting. In a move signaling a shift toward a more innovative and responsive style of leadership, the Chester County Commissioners last year rebranded the role of County Administrator as Chief Executive Officer…
-
Regional Chamber Leaders: Pennsylvania Needs a Budget – Our Lawmakers Need to Compromise
This marks the third straight year our Commonwealth has missed the July 1 budget deadline, which is mandated in the state’s constitution. With each passing day of inaction, the consequences grow more real for our small businesses, counties, school districts, and nonprofits. Here in Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties, where we pride ourselves on economic…
-
Montco Leaders Announce Over $4M in Funding. Where is it All Going?
Montgomery County leaders approved more than $4 million in new contracts last week, reports Rachel Ravina for The Mercury. The bulk of the funds will focus on fighting housing instability and homelessness, particularly for residents living with serious mental health challenges. The county awarded a nearly $2.25 million annual contract to Fort Washington-based Access Services.…
-
Delaware County Reporting Prison Population Down 40 Percent
In five years, Delaware County’s prison population has dropped by 40 percent, according to Chief Public Defender Chris Welsh. Welsh presented the statistics for the George W. Hill Correctional Facility to Delaware County Council at a July 16 meeting, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times. The prison population on January 1, 2020, was…
-
Overdue Property Taxes Kill American Dream for Some Local Homeowners
It took 91-year-old Upper Darby resident Gloria Gaynor a lifetime to achieve the American Dream of owning a home. Now, suffering from dementia and confined to a hospital bed in her living room, the fact that she owes $3,500 in overdue taxes means losing the home she’s owned for 25 years, writes Maria Rosenfeld, Chad…
-
SEPTA Pays the Price for Philly’s ‘No One Likes Us’ Reputation. Here’s How We Fix It
On a frigid February morning in 2018, Jason Kelce climbed the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in a glittering, green‑feathered Mummers costume and delivered the most Philly speech ever given. “No one likes us!” he roared. “No one likes us! No one likes us! We don’t care!” The crowd of a million celebrating…
-
This Philly Doctor is Throwing His Name in Race for Pennsylvania Congressional Seat
Dr. Dave Oxman, an intensive-care physician and a medical school professor at Thomas Jefferson University, is running for Congress, wrties Julia Terruso for The Philadelphia Inquirer. While he doesn’t have a background in politics, he is the newest candidate for Pennsylvania’s Third Congressional District. He joins State Rep. Chris Rabb and State Sen. Sharif Street…
-
Bucks County Rep. Fitzpatrick One of Two House Republicans to Oppose ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a moderate from Bucks County, was one of just two Republicans in the House to vote against President Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” last week, writes Julia Terruso for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Fitzpatrick also opposed a procedural vote on the sweeping domestic spending and tax policy package, signaling his opposition…
-
Can Abington’s Josh Shapiro Turn Grit into Presidential Gold?
Pennsylvania Governor and Abington native, Josh Shapiro, is now being talked about as a top contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, writes Tom McGrath for Philadelphia Magazine. After two years marked by both high-profile wins and public tragedy, Shapiro has emerged as one of the party’s most visible and calculated figures. Shapiro’s pragmatic, policy-first…
-
New Philadelphia Housing Bills Would Bring Security Deposit Changes for Renters, Landlords
Philadelphia City Council recently passed new housing bills that would mean potential changes for local renters and landlords, writes Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza for WHYY. As stated in Pennsylvania state law, landlords cannot charge more than two months’ security deposit for a tenant to move in for the first year. Landlords can only hold one month’s security…
Pioneer Partner
Founding Partners
Advertisement
Affiliate Partners
Community Partners
