Monday news round-up

Tight for time, will do what I can.

• Smoking ban takes effect today. Whoot!
  
  
• Carl Romanelli is off the ballot for now, but hoping to win his appeal of how the threshold number of signatures is determined.
  (via Philadelphia Will Do)
  
  
• Perzel's proposal for state-funded police is being met with skepticism in urban and rural areas alike.
  
  
• Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania is getting involved in violence prevention through a partnership with the CDC for some pilot programs.
  
  
• Mayor Street is overdue in appointing members of the city's new Board of Ethics. His nominees still have to be confirmed by City Council.
  
  
• Several bits on gun legislation, given the special session in Harrisburg tomorrow and its accompanying rally. Tougher state gun laws are judged a long-shot. John Baer gives a rather pessimistic assessment of what can be accomplished. An Inquirer editorial calls for passage of the one-gun-per-month bill, arguing that 26 guns per couple should be enough for both defense and recreation in the average year.
  
  
• The Daily News profiles one of the new magnet schools (I think) opened this fall, the Science Leadership Academy. Among other features, it offers interaction with Franklin Institute staff on a regular basis.
  
  
• A DN column looks at recent reform activities in Philadelphia and what they may bode for the future of the Democratic party. They mention organizations active in the area, candidates who've run on the ground, and bloggers raising awareness.
  
  
• Here's an update on Philadelphia's attempts to create a citywide wireless internet system, and what other cities have learned from our experiences.
  (via PhillyFuture)
  
  
• Ray Murphy calls on Bob Brady to put deeds to words concerning his interest in reaching out to young Philadelphian progressives.
  
  
• Dan UA is dismayed by a series of legislative moves that override Philadelphia's rights to regulate itself, via government or citizen action.
  
  
• Hannah Miller argues that campaign contribution limits achieve nothing but the elevation of millionaires unless coupled with donations of air time from TV broadcasters for elections such as next year's mayoral race.
  
  
• In Friday's paper, Inga Saffron gave her pick among the casino proposals. Her arguments for her favorites made me feel marginally hopeful that decent things could come of these creatures, if they must be built.
  (via YPP)