tate Senator Vince Fumo proposed a major reform measure for the Philadelphia

Court system in June.Along with state Senator Anthony

H. Williams of Philadelphia, Fumointroduced a constitutional amend-ment that calls for judges on thePhiladelphia Common Pleas Courtand Municipal Court to beappointed instead of elected.

Under their plan, the Governorwould choose from a list of highlyqualified candidates supplied by aJudicial Nominating Commission.Appointees would be subject toconfirmation by a two-thirdsmajority of the state Senate.

The appointed judges wouldhave to stand for a retention elec-tion initially four years after theirappointment, then every 10 years.

May 2005

◆ Fumo Proposes Judicial Reform for Philadelphia

At a news conference in the City Hall courtyard June 24, State Senator Vince Fumoexplains details of the judicial reform proposal that he is introducing along withSen. Anthony Williams (l).

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Continued on Page 3

“Our method of picking judges hasbecome too heavily dependent on things

such as ballot position, campaigncontributions, and street money.

Judges should serve on the basis of theirlegal experience, competency,

and professional temperament.”—Sen. Fumo

For the plan to be adopted, boththe state Legislature and voterswould have to agree to change the

SS

state constitution. The Fumo/Williams resolution

would have to be approved bytwo successive state Legislatures– the one now seated and the onethat will take office in January of2007, after the 2006 generalelection. It would then have topass in a statewide referendum.Additionally, this referendumwould have to be approved by a

majority of Philadelphia voters, sothat the rest of the state would notbe imposing a change rejected bycitizens of the city.

The proposed amendment wasdeveloped after lengthy discus-sions with the Philadelphia BarAssociation and the statewide non-partisan court reform organizationPennsylvanians for Modern Courts.

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UPDATE TO THE NEIGHBORS OF THE FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT SUMMER 2005

OFFICES TO SERVE YOUDISTRICT OFFICES

1208 Tasker StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19148Phone: (215) 468-3866

Fax: (215) 952-1096

2637 East Clearfield StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19134

(215) 423-7670

HARRISBURG OFFICESenate Box 203001

Harrisburg, PA 17120-3001(717) 787-5662

Fax: (717) 783-5210

E-MAIL Senator_Fumo@fumo.com

WEB SITEwww.fumo.com

DEMOCRATIC SENATE WEB SITEwww.pasenate.com

n 2003, the state enacted a law that allows businesses to receive tax credits when they

make a contribution to approvedpre-kindergarten scholarshiporganizations. The Pre-Kinder-garten Tax Credit is administeredby the state Department of Com-munity and Economic Develop-ment (DCED).

A business can receive a taxcredit equal to 100 percent of thefirst $10,000 that it donates to aqualified pre-kindergarten scholar-ship organization during a taxableyear, and can receive a tax creditof 90 percent of any additionalcontribution during that year, upto a limit of $100,000 per year.

The DCED web site,www.inventpa.com, contains a listof approved pre-kindergartenscholarship organizations, as wellas a complete list of eligibilitycriteria and guidelines under

UPDATE TO THE NEIGHBORS OF THE FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT

Sen. Fumo visits a pre-kindergarten school in Philadelphia. Businesses can receivea tax credit when they donate to approved pre-kindergarten scholarship programs.

which a pre-kindergartenscholarship program may beincluded on the list. It also containsapplication forms for organiza-tions to be listed, and applicationforms for business firms to receivetax credits. Or, this and otherinformation is available fromDCED by writing to:

The law that authorized theprogram is Act 48 of 2003.

I◆ Tax Credits Available for Contributions

to Pre-Kindergarten Programs

State SenatorVINCE FUMO

1st Senatorial District

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITYAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTThe Educational Improvement

Tax Credit ProgramPre-Kindergarten Tax Credit

Center for Business Financing Tax Credit Division

400 North Street, 4th FloorCommonwealth Keystone Building

Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225Or Call

717-787-7120

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Philadelphia Bar AssociationChancellor Andrew A. Chirls ap-plauded the proposal. Speaking forthe 13,000 member Bar Association,Chirls said: “This is an importantstep in the right direction. We areenthused about joining our legisla-tive leaders as they launch an effortthat seeks real and substantialimprovement over the currentelectoral system. We know thatchange will not be easy. We knowthat legislation is a moving targetuntil it is passed. But we are en-couraged today. And we will workwith all those who are committedto a merit-based non-electivejudicial system for Pennsylvania.For the first time in a long time wehave a real sense of hope about thisissue.”

Fumo Proposes Judicial Reform for Philadelphia

SUMMER 2005

Continued from page 1

Fumo and Williams said theamendment is not designed totake politics out of the process.Officials elected by the voters willhave integral roles in the selectionand confirmation of judges. Rather,the purpose of the change is toensure that the most qualifiedcandidates are nominated, thatcampaign money is removed fromthe selection process, and that a

diverse consensus forms aroundnominees to the bench.

The plan would establish aJudicial Nominating Commissionof 19 members, all Philadelphiaresidents. The commission mustinclude “men and women fromcivic, labor and business com-munities and should reflect thegeographic, political, economic,ethnic and racial diversity of theCity of Philadelphia.” Commis-sion members would be appointedby the District Attorney, the ChiefPublic Defender, the PhiladelphiaBar Association, the Governor,state Senate leadership, and thechairs of the two major Philadel-phia County political parties.

When a court vacancy occurs,the Commission would offer a listof at least three but not more thanfive candidates to the Governor.His nominee would be confirmedonly by receiving the vote of two-thirds of the state Senate.

No potential nominee couldappear on the list submitted tothe Governor unless he or she is amember in good standing of the

Supporters of the plan listen as Michael Coard of “Judging the Judges” explains hisreasons for changing the judicial selection process in Philadelphia. Left to right areco-sponsor Sen. Anthony Williams, Coard, Sen. Vince Fumo, Lynn Marks of Pennsyl-vanians for Modern Courts, and Andrew Chirls, chancellor of the Philadelphia BarAssociation.

“Pennsylvanians for ModernCourts applauds Senators Fumo and

Williams for taking this importantfirst step to fix Philadelphia’s

broken system for selecting judges.As a long-time supporter of judicial

selection reform, PMC welcomesthis new effort to put Philadelphia

on the path to a better system.”—Lynn Marks

Executive Director, Pennsylvania for Modern Courts

bar of the Supreme Court, and hasdemonstrated professional compe-tence, judgment and integrity. Ap-plicants for vacancies on CommonPleas Court must have actively en-gaged in the practice of law or theteaching of law for 10 years, and onMunicipal Court, for five years.

Fumo, who has long favored ajudicial appointment process, saidthe difficulty of achieving that goalstatewide, plus the severity ofproblems that plague local judicialraces in Philadelphia, caused him to limit the proposal to the city.

“Maybe if this is successful, otherareas of the state might want toadopt a similar merit selectionsystem for their counties. And if it works, it might also be a break-through in convincing others to go along with statewide meritselection,” Fumo said. “Myapproach to government is the art of the possible.”

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UPDATE TO THE NEIGHBORS OF THE FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT

F"Those who have been called upto active duty for an extendedperiod of time during an armedconflict are making tremendous

sacrifices, both personal andfinancial. They are away from

their families, and they areaway from their jobs. If theygive the ultimate sacrifice bylosing their lives, we should

show our gratitude by helpingtheir loved ones to provide

for themselves."—Sen. Fumo

settlement with the nation's largest pharmacy benefits manager will yield $1.8

million in prescription drugassistance for older disabledPennsylvanians without healthinsurance.

Pennsylvania will receive themoney as part of a 2004 settle-ment between Medco HealthSolutions, Inc., and 20 states,

resolving claims that Medcoviolated the states' unfair tradepractice laws. Pennsylvania’sshare will help to cut drug costsfor 3,000 residents.

The prescription drug benefitis open to disabled persons whoare residents of Pennsylvania, age55 and older, have no otherprescription drug coverage, andhave annual incomes of $20,000 or

less for singles and $25,000 or lessfor couples. They can apply forup to $600 in free genericprescription drugs.

To apply for the prescriptiondrug benefit, call the PACEClearinghouse at 1-800-955-0989,weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

◆ Prescription Drug Help Available for Disabled Who Lack Insurance

◆ Fumo Proposes Increase in Death Benefit for Guard Members

F

"Beyond putting a ribbon ontheir car or lamp post or frontdoor, the Memorial Fund isanother way for people to showtangible support to our troops." —Sen. Fumo

amilies of Pennsylvanians who are killed in Iraq or

Afghanistan while they areserving in the National Guardwould receive a death benefit of$250,000, under legislationintroduced recently in Harrisburgby Senator Fumo. Currently,beneficiaries receive just $12,000from the federal government, butnothing from the state.

"Those who have been calledup to active duty for an extendedperiod of time during an armedconflict are making tremendoussacrifices, both personal andfinancial. They are away fromtheir families, and they are awayfrom their jobs. If they give theultimate sacrifice by losing theirlives, we should show ourgratitude by helping their lovedones to provide for themselves,"said Fumo.

Many National Guard membersserving in Iraq and Afghanistanreceive much higher pay incivilian life. When they areserving on active duty forextended periods, their familybudget suffers, meaning that

families are often already indifficult financial circumstances ifthe guard member is killed.

"Although I think starting thewar in Iraq was a huge mistake, Ido support the men and womenwho are serving there. And this isthe very least we can do for themand their families at this terribletime in our history," Fumo said.

The money for the deathbenefit would come from the stateGeneral Fund, but Fumo’slegislation also establishes theFallen Patriots Memorial Fundwithin the State Treasury, to defraysome of the cost. Under thatprogram, taxpayers would have acheck-off option on their tax returnto dedicate a portion of their taxrefund, or to enclose a contribu-tion, to the death benefit.

AA

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SUMMER SCHEDULEWed., July 20: Movie “Singing in the Rain”

Mon., July 25: Barbershop Harmony

Wed., July 27: Oldie’s Night

Wed., August 3: Movie “Mission Impossible 2”

Tues., August 9: Children Step Dancers

Wed., August 17: Eagles Pep Rally

Tues., August 23: City Rhythms Orchestra

Summer Fun Series Returns to Park in Port Richmond

UPDATE TO THE NEIGHBORS OF THE FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT

◆ City Year Offers Service Opportunitiesoung people between the ages of 17-24 can serve their community and earn money

for education while working forCity Year, a national urban youthservice corps.

In Philadelphia, members servefull time for 10 months in schoolsand after-school programs,tutoring, mentoring, running civicsprograms and leading communityservice projects. In 12 PhiladelphiaHigh schools as well as severalmiddle and elementary schools,they work on developing students’leadership, civic and academic skills,with a goal of helping students tosucceed in their school environ-ment, increasing student retention,preparing students for life afterschool. For younger students, theyrun an after school program and asocialized recess program.

City Year has operated inGreater Philadelphia for eightyears, currently with 175 members.It is part of a national group that is in its sixteenth year and nownumbers about 1,000. It is anAmeriCorps program.

Participants receive a weeklyliving stipend, and an AmeriCorpseducation grant, as well as severalother benefits.

City Year is taking applicationsin the Greater Philadelphia area.Those between ages 17-24 can learnmore by contacting:

City Year Greater Philadelphia23rd and Chestnut • 2nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103or by phone at 267-386-7013.

They can also learn more, anddownload an application, at

www.cityyear.org

YYampbell Square will be the scene of 10 weeks of “Summer Fun” from

June through August this year.The park, which is the

oldest public square in PortRichmond, underwentextensive renovations thatwere completed in 2004. Itserves as a first-class centraloutdoor gathering space thathelps to bring neighbors of allages together, and to revitalizethe community.

Senator Fumo obtainedsome of the funding for thepark renovations, and for thesummer event program. Cityand community organizationshave also poured time andmoney into the facility.

The “Summer Fun” series,planned by the not-for-profit

The Friends of CampbellSquare, has been popular inthe past and is expected toattract even more neighborsthis year.

“Campbell Square is agreat success story. It showswhat can happen when anactive community group, localbusinesses, and governmentorganizations work togetherto try to make good thingshappen in a neighborhood,”Senator Fumo said.

Along with money fromvarious sources, volunteershave contributed 5,000 com-bined hours of work to main-taining the park improvements.

June 15 saw the opening ofthe “Summer Fun” Series witha movie and children’s crafts.Later events are listed below.

CC

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