Tuesday deluge

Will do the best I can, between the onslaught (22 tabs!) and the short day...

• Phila-centric:
  
  
  
  1. Residential housing boom is spreading -- first there was word that Center City was no longer the driving force in raising house prices (see here) and now it appears that a few neighborhoods on the east side of town had a burst to catch up to the rest, with Chinatown and Wash West really flying. Jobs still have a ways to go.
     
     
  2. Apparently City Council has decided to have another go at a smoking ban, forging ahead despite its decimated ranks. Everybody seems pessimistic about the prospects. The Daily News looks at the testimony and specifics of the bill just out of committee; the Inquirer looks at the history of efforts on this topic; Philadelphia Will Do thinks that Mariano's absence won't be enough for success. Full Council will vote sometime in the next few weeks.
     
     
  3. Another ongoing hot topic is John Dougherty's relationship with the Democratic Party, and the possible realignments of players going on since nomination petitions set off a firestorm. The Inquirer reports that the bigwigs have essentially written him out by setting up a new fundraising mechanism that bypasses the Treasurer (Doc's office). The DN adds that a Dougherty representative was actually turned away from the meeting. A more speculative piece goes even further, wondering whether Mayor Street will pick somebody new to head the RDA (Redevelopment Authority)... Is it just me, or is it getting warm in here?
     
     
  4. The Inquirer editorial page adds to the chorus calling for the city plumbers union to get on board with the green technologies that our communities need for the future (see story here), and adds a few finger-wags for the politicians used to acceding to union demands without question.
     
     
  5. US Rep. Kurt Weldon didn't like Tom Ferrick's column about him, and makes his case amidst a flurry of return accusations.
     
     
  6. Those from the eastern edge of the city might be interested in an opportunity to meet Anne Dicker, candidate for the State House in the 175th district. It's tonight; more details at the link.
     
     
  7. Friedman of America's Hometown reads the Center City District report and finds that things are looking up for Center City, although there are things still to be done. Also, Children's Hospital has chosen a downtown site for its administrative offices (moving out of the hospital to make more clinic space).
     
  
  
• Regional:
  
  
  
  1. State Senator Vince Fumo predicts that the opening of casinos will be delayed until 2009, citing the logistical load and political baggage.
     
     
  2. As if to provide evidence for Fumo's speculations, House Speaker Perzel reiterates his position that Harrisburg crooks are more qualified than Philadelphia crooks to determine casino locations in a fair and balanced (ahem) manner. Dan at YPP flames out over Perzel's continuous efforts to strip Philadelphia of the right to self-government -- can't say I disagree with anything he wrote.
     
     
  3. Marc Stier provides an update on the minimum wage bill, including a big rally planned for April 26. There's still a lot of hemming and hawing going on in Harrisburg, so pressure whoever you can. He also has a tip about challenges to Pennsylvania's clean-vehicle program.
     
     
  4. New Jersey appears to have a state position called "public advocate" (anybody know if PA has one?), and the new one pledges to help rein in eminent domain use for private development. I'm sure many will be watching to see what sorts of improvements he can suggest.