BTW... I think it's pretty cool that the Inq'y is really pounding on this issue these days. There are a LOT of stories up questioning the PPA, and I think that's good. They seem to need the pounding and it helps when the paper decides not to let up on something... and if this fight is won it could mean a big paycheck to our school system, which I hope can do a lot of good.

---
The Russellian Incorporated Innovations Corporation
Lefty Homilies

It's important to note the dual role Dwight Evans has played in public school funding from last spring to today.

Last May, the week before the School Reform Commission was to vote on whether to renew the controversial education management organizations, Rep. Evans called down the entire SRC to demand that the District retain all the EMOs at what would be an eventual total cost of $12-13 million. The District had recommended cutting two-thirds of the EMOs based on four reports that showed they performed no better than district schools despite receiving $100 million in management fees over the past five years.

In today's Inquirer story, Patrick Kerkstra notes that Evans called down the entire PPA and now is characterizing the Parking Authority's negligence to pay $20 million to the schools that it promised as a "public relations" problem.

He can't have it both ways. He wants the EMOs but then he doesn't want to seek the money to pay for them? C'mon. For a man who wanted to be mayor this isn't working.

I don't suppose this suggestion applies to PGW, PIDC, DRPA, the Airport and other agencies around town? With the Parking Authority, it's relatively easy to see how bloated it is because just three years ago it was much smaller. Not so at other places around town. How about we start with an examination of how many ward leaders are employed in each of these places? I'd like to know the ratio of management to staff. Maybe there isn't anything out of the ordinary but are we sure?

Bill Green's idea to implement zero-based budgeting is critical to examining all of these agencies. Maybe a trial run could be done at the Parking Authority. Everything else beyond what's really needed can go to schools.

--Mike
Weeds in the Sidewalk

I suppose that PGW's inability to send out a bill is related to their tight staffing levels? ;)

Michael Nutter has said he'd be examining every agency in town but I don't think a little forward investigation would hurt.

--Mike
Weeds in the Sidewalk

A "little bird" with some insight into byzantine workings of the NE Philly Republican Party keeps emailing me that the alleged cutting of David Oh from some Republican ballots in that part of town relates in some specific way to some horse trading on Jack Kelly's part regarding the increased recent public scrutiny on the PPA. It may be hearsay, it may be paranoia - to be honest I don't know but for the truly curious perhaps there is something to investigate there. Then again, perhaps not.

Regardless while there is waste and patronage inflated salaries at any number Philadelphia "authorities", the PPA is the one with the explicit mandate to provide funding for Philadelphia public schools and party politics aside, that alone makes it a good first candidate to go looking for some of that sorely needed money.

Why doesnt my brother tell you he has gotten many brothers and sisters jobs at the ppa. Hey he even got one of his own family on the books there

Because of the increased scrutiny on patronage in the PPA, Councilman Jack Kelly has supposedly offered a specific job and salary protection guarantees to Republican ward leaders in the 45th ward in NE Philly, in exchange for striking David Oh from the Republican ballots. The jobs being protected relate to lobbyist Kevin Pasquay and other "lobbyists" for the PPA. Coincidentally the Inquirer just had a big article on the more than 100-fold increase in poltical lobbying expenses at the PPA.

While issuing tickets at a record rate and hauling in $192 million in annual revenue, the Philadelphia Parking Authority has spent lavishly to promote itself to the public and state legislature.

In six years, the authority has increased its annual spending on outside lobbying and media contracts from $3,000 to at least $382,000, according to records obtained by The Inquirer.

In total, the agency has spent a minimum of $1.48 million - roughly 57,000 tickets' worth - on such services since 2002, much of that going to politically connected firms and consultants.

Add to that $271,504 that the authority will pay three full-time employees this year. Their job, like the consultants', is to lobby lawmakers and to burnish the agency's public image.

Particularly remarkable is the money spent on legislative lobbying, given that the agency already has as its chief patron one of the most powerful legislators in Harrisburg, State Rep. John Perzel (R., Phila.). It was Perzel who engineered the Republican takeover of the authority in 2001.

Growth has been the agency's watchword since 2001, as this partial listing of consultants demonstrates.

The Pasquay & O'Rourke Consulting Group has hauled in a total of $867,191 from the authority since fiscal year 2003, principally for communications work. It remains on retainer for $10,000 a month. Firm principal Martin O'Rourke is also a spokesman for Perzel.

A firm headed by political consultant Howard Cain has earned $198,000 since fiscal year 2002. Cain, who has long been affiliated with State Sen. Vincent Fumo (D., Phila.), is paid $3,000 a month.

Rocco Pugliese of Pugliese Associates is the authority's chief lobbyist, with a contract worth $120,000 a year. In comparison, the City of Philadelphia, with an operating budget of $3.9 billion, spends $240,000 on Harrisburg lobbyists, according to Managing Director Loree Jones.

the full article continues with some other consulting fees for prominent Dems as well, including Sen. Tony Hardy Williams Jr.

Anyway the little bird mentions specifically Mr. Kevin Pasquay of the 45th Ward and the lobbying firm as the hinge point and even suggests Inquirer stories about the Kelly-Oh connection may be on their way. FWIW.

I was staying out of this because I don't have a horse in this race, but I have to comment. What is missing is that David Oh made a living defending the City against injured firefighters and cops. I realize lawyers must represent their clients but as Cool Hand Luke said "Saying its your job don't make it right."

The Parking Authority has been a poster child for blatant political waste for decades. Both parties have been effectively compromised by this brillant tradition of bad politics, well implemented. What the media never seems to spotlight is just how horrendous the impact of this waste is; the lives lost, the violence unleashed when these tax dollars are squandered. Long term, deeply rooted political corruption depends on the public's indifference; an indiffernce that can only be changed by a passionate, dedicated media that remains consistently on our side...educating the outrage. The political status quo also depends on well-meaning people turning their back on the political process. When they can control 20 percent of a 30 percent voter turnout...whatthehell, they win again. Yes the Parking Authority should be outed with a vigorous, detailed audit spread across front pages everywhere in this City. Other major audits?? Let's have the City Controller take a forensic look at the City's biggest anti-drug, anti-crime effort, Operation Safe Streets which spent over $130 million in three years while accomplishing......what? As taxpayers will are still waiting for a report, a study, even a final bottom line...in spite of many requests for accountability. Our city controller does a detailed audit on Robin Hood Dell East, on expendatures of approximately $480,000...but has nothing scheduled for the $130 million or so spent by Operation Safe Streets. How to we fight crime and violence without accountability? How do we measure the effectiveness of our attempts to solve major problems without baseline studies and analysis in place?