Philadelphia Firefighters Receive Wage Increases

Philadelphia, PA - The City of Philadelphia and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22 today received from a panel of arbitrators an award for a new three-year contract. The award is retroactive to July 1, 2017 and continues through June 30, 2020. The panel of arbitrators awarded Local 22 wage increases of 3.25%, 3.5% and 3.75% in each year of the contract respectively.

City Releases Property Tax Calculator as Tax Increases

Philadelphia, PA - City officials today unveiled a web-based calculator that will allow property owners to see how changes in assessments and the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2019 education funding proposal would affect their property tax bills for next year, including the effect of proposed revisions to the Homestead Exemption.

Philadelphia To Close Oldest Operating City Jail (Photo: PhillyBite)

Philadelphia, PA - The House of Correction (HOC) is the oldest operating jail in the City of Philadelphia, and has been in continuous operation since 1927. The facility requires constant maintenance due to its age and lacks modern security and public safety features. Its closure is possible because the City’s overall incarcerated population has decreased 32 percent since July 2015. The population stands currently at just under 5,500, the lowest it has been in 20 years.

Photo by Matt Collame

Philadelphia, PA - Mayor Jim Kenney today helped launch a new meal service program at the Hub of Hope, a service center for Philadelphia’s homeless population in Center City. The center, a joint initiative by the City of Philadelphia, Project HOME and SEPTA opened in January in Suburban Station. The meal service is being offered through a partnership with Broad Street Ministry and Philabundance.

SEPTA Ends Token Sales April 30th

SEPTA - Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, announced that token sales are going to terminate at all Authority-owned locations on Monday, April 30. Token purchases have started to be phased out since January, as most riders changeover to the SEPTA Key Card.

Philadelphia Department of Prisons Recognized For Public Health

Philadelphia, PA - The Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) recently received the Public Health Recognition Award from the College of Physicians of Philadelphia for implementing programs at the PDP for individuals in custody who suffer from a substance abuse disorder. The award was presented at the Public Health Day Symposium at the College of Physicians on April 2.