Law Center News: November 2013
Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia

Neighborhood Health & Justice: Land Bank Update

Amy Laura Cahn testified at the City Council Committee on Public Property and Public Works hearing in October on the ways a land bank could support communities in gaining access to land for gardening, urban farming and open space projects. Both before and since that hearing, various amendments have been added and proposed, some of which threaten the potential land bank's transparency and effectiveness. Advocates continue to put pressure on City Council to pass a transparent, streamlined bill. YOU can help pass an equitable land bank bill by calling your district council member and attending an upcoming City Council hearing. Get talking points and learn more here.

Supporter Spotlight: #GivingTuesdayPHL is coming on Dec. 3rd!

You've heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but have you heard of #GivingTuesday? #GivingTuesday is a movement to kick off the giving season, inspire personal philanthropy and encourage smarter charitable giving. For the first year, the Law Center is participating in #GivingTuesdayPHL. In honor of this movement, any new or increased donation that you make between now and December 31st will be matched by generous Law Center Board Members. Donate today!

Health Care: Comments on the Governor's Medicaid Proposal

Back in September, Governor Corbett and the Department of Public Welfare released a concept paper outlining the Governor's proposal to partially expand Medicaid through a convoluted waiver. Jim Eiseman recently reviewed the Governor's proposal and sent a letter to DPW outlining our concerns. Find out why we believe the proposal is wasting time, imposes unnecessary restrictions and is leaving hundreds of thousands of individuals without the coverage they deserve.

Education Equity: Strategies to Solve the Funding Crisis

We continue to target the enormous gap that is Pennsylvania's lack of an education funding formula by implementing multiple strategies at the community, city and state levels. We receive more complaints daily about the dire lack of resources at local school through our myphillyschools.com complaints project with Parents United. (The state recently responded to our nursing shortage group complaint and only took partial responsibility to investigate claims.) We are participating in legislative discussions - just this week Michael Churchill testified before City Council on increasing municipal funding. And, we're moving forward on litigation to tackle the funding crisis at the state level in partnership with the Education Law Center. Read more about our work here.