Results tagged “senators”

The Sixers are still motoring along, posting a win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night (101-89), and fueling… playoff fever? We’ve felt this before, haven’t we Philly? Breathe through it. It’s not worth the morning after remorse. They’re not home again until March 7; hopefully they’ll keep up the winning away against Golden State (tonight 10:30PM), Phoenix (tomorrow 9PM), and the LA Clippers (Monday at 10:30PM); you can catch all on SportsNet.

The Sixers lost on the road to the Celtics on Friday, but finally beat the Toronto Raptors, the first time this season, 99-95 Saturday. They’re playing the Pacers today at 2PM (watch or get tickets) and the Pistons on Wednesday night at 7PM (watch or get tickets) at the Wachovia Center.

After snapping their losing streak, the Sixers face off against the Toronto Raptors tomorrow night at 7PM at the Wachovia Center (get tickets or watch); Monday they’ll host the Indiana Pacers at 2PM at the Wach. (get tickets or watch)

Two state Senators held their third hearing Wednesday on the possibility of convening a constitutional convention for the reform of state government, and they did it at U. Penn Law School. There were three speakers: "an area lawyer and author, a Rutgers University law school professor, and the president of the local League of Women Voters."

On February 11th, the Independence Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library on 7th between Market and Chestnut was flooded when a sprinkler pipe burst. It was the third flood of the library since last summer. Thankfully this one didn't damage any books, like the last two, but it will force the library to close for about a month.

Yesterday, good old Governor Ed Rendell signed into law a $2 increase of the state's minimum wage, to be phased in over the next two years (or three years, for small businesses). So those of you who work at minimum wage jobs in PA, rejoice!

- And speaking of local lawmakers getting uppity, Senator Vince Fumo has declared the war in Iraq to be "unnecessary, immoral and counterproductive." In the same speech he referred to the Bush presidency as a "dictatorship" and also accused the administration of ignoring the Constitution. That pesky Constitution. Seems Pennsylvania Senators are fixated on it.

Being a Philly blog, we're required to keep you up to date on the movements of Jon Bon Jovi, so here's your warning: the fellow and his band are playing a show at Citizens Bank Park on July 15. Tickets will go on sale April 29 at 10AM; expect a reminder in an upcoming Ticket Update post. (Via)

Even though 11 of Philadelphia's incumbents will face challengers in the May 16th primary (which is the most intraparty opposition since 1988), the general opinion is that Philly escaped the "anti-incumbent fervor" sweeping the rest of the state. For instance, none of the city's incumbent members of Congress, and only one of its senators, will face challengers. Lucky bastards.

Speaking of which...we've got good news and bad news. The good news: one of our own has made good! Former Eagles star and current pastor at Philly's Exodus Baptist Church Herbert Lusk has just been appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. The bad news: like many another Bush-appointees, he's unqualified for the position, having no prior experience in HIV/AIDS policy. He is, however, part of Bush's conservative, religious base, which is apparently all Bush looks for in the people he hires. Did we mention Lusk also supports a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage? Great. Can Philly disown this guy? (Via)

It would appear that Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is trying to get the best Supreme Court nominee possible. Oh, he's not doing his best for his constituents -- it's for his fellow Senators.

The gargantuan pay raise Pennsylvania lawmakers voted for themselves is controversial at every turn. Who knew giving yourself a raise of $11K in the dead of night could cause such a hullabaloo?

Leave it to Governor Ed Rendell to make history! Big Ed has gotten all crafty to fight the closure of a Philadelphia-area naval base.

So, Live 8 is over and we're all sufficiently motivated to learn about the upcoming G8 Summit, what President Bush is or isn't doing for Africa, and find the addresses for your local representatives, Congresspeople, Senators, and the President, intent on writing regular letters about the issues that concern us, right? And here's a free hint, kids -- the 2006 mid-term elections are fast approaching. May we suggest you register to vote now? No doubt, you've had your eyes opened to the plight of global poverty and you're ready to make a difference. Great! We're sure you've been wondering how to start right here at home while putting pressure on legislators to forgive African debt. After all, 18% of families in Philadelphia live below the poverty line, and there's an awful lot you can do to reach out and work together to improve the lives of thousands of poverty-stricken city residents.