Thursday deluge II: Other news

• Ethics discussions
  
  
  
  • The state ethics panel objected to a court ruling about what Supreme Court candidates need to disclose on their financial statements, because it appears to create a loophole for any investments held jointly with a spouse.
    
    
  • The Daily News applauds the behavior of Philadelphia's new Ethics Board, noting that "corrective actions" were required not only of the Fattah campaign, but from both Sheriff candidates, Councilman Kenney, and others, and disclosure agreements with several unions and PACs.
    
    
  • Separately, a DN opinion piece continues the praise, and also encourages Mayor Street to fill the one empty spot on the Ethics Board speedily in this particularly sensitive election season.
  
  
• 13 charter schools get extensions -- that's all of them that were up for renewal; two were given requirements for improved performance. More here.
  
  
• Senate backs judicial-pay bill -- this would undo the one remnant of the 2005 pay-hike bill, which ties state Justice pay to that of federal judges. The State House must still consider this bill, passed overwhelmingly in the Senate.
  
  
• Philly courts $7M short -- shortfall could lead to cuts of hundreds of award enforcement and other staff. Rendell is being lobbied for funds, and a lawsuit against the city is also on the table.
  
  
• State budget battle looms over varying desires to shift, increase, or cut various taxes.
  
  
• New signs make it official: We have a 'gayborhood' -- a neighborhood trumpets its welcome and diversity.
  
  
• CityPaper: Former inmates call for a capital-punishment moratorium in Pennsylvania.
  
  
• Metro: Volunteer group offers design help to neighborhoods in need -- from rehabs to affordable housing creation.
  
  
• DN opinion page: Single-payer is the way to go -- an argument for a better healthcare solution, already in the pipes in the state legislature. We need to fight the power of the insurance industry by speaking up!
  
  
• YPP/CP: joint project on ideas for education in Philadelphia.
  
  
• NJ Transit will increase fares about 10 pct. to avoid shortfall -- let's hope we can manage better on our side of the river...
  
  
• However, GOP leader: Cities, counties should fund transit. We can have a city-township battle over this, as the poster suggests (let them build their own roads), or we can do a better job of regionalizing the issue of transportation, and making everybody aware of the shared costs and benefits of various choices.