The 8:30 Report: This Morning in Philly
Five to one, baby: That’s what U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan is calling for in the fraud/theft/general naughtiness cases of one Jocelyn Kirsch and one Edward Anderton — five-year sentences to make up for their one year of living on other people’s money. In announcing the charges, Meehan also gave backhand props to the duo’s work ethic: “If they had worked half as hard at their careers as they did in these multiple schemes,” he told the Inquirer, “they would have been remarkably successful.” [Inquirer]
Nutter backs off on tax-cut promises?: Easy to say it on the campaign trail, but not quite as easy to do it once you’ve seen the books. KYW is reporting that the mayor, under pressure from City Council, has cut a deal to slow down the pace of his business and wage tax reductions. Nutter isn’t confirming publicly, but Council is expected to vote Wednesday on the measures. [KYW]
Rendell holds breath over smoking ban: A joint state Senate/House committee crafting a compromise statewide smoking ban will have to go back to the drawing board after Gov. Rendell threatened to veto the measure. No, he’s not in Big Tobacco’s pocket — the bill under consideration would have preempted some of the more stringent aspects of Philadelphia’s current ban. He still cares about us. Sniff. [Metro]
