Corporate Welfare: A Philadelphia Story

Member Group : Freindly Fire

Corporate Welfare: A Philadelphia Story, Part I
Aker Shipyard is sinking

JANUARY 14, 2011 | by JIM PANYARD

The Aker Shipyard and Tasty Baking Company in Philadelphia have absorbed more than a half-billion in taxpayer funded grants, low interest loans and tax breaks, collectively called "investments" by politicians.

Both stand on the edge of bankruptcy today.

This is part one of a two part series examining the history of the two Philadelphia companies, their reliance on taxpayer funds over the years and the ultimate failure of governmental "economic development" to keep them afloat. Click here to read more.

State Police Settle with ACLU Over Obscene Language Citations

Deny any liability or wrongdoing
JANUARY 19, 2011 | by DARWYYN DEYO

The ACLU has drawn the Pennsylvania State Police to a settlement over citations for "obscene" language, but the state police deny any wrongdoing or liability for their actions.

"We enforced the law and we will continue to enforce the law," said Lt. Myra Taylor, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police. "We appreciate the information that was brought up and we did settle out of court but we are in no way going to stop enforcing the law."

In a settlement reached earlier this month, the state police agreed to provide training for state police officers to better educate them on the correct meaning and application of the law as it applies to "obscene" language. Click here to read more.

Westmoreland County Economic Development Project 34 Years In The Making
Rendell approved $10 million for plant with long history of economic development gone wrong

JANUARY 20, 2011 | by ERIC BOEHM

After 34 years, the state of Pennsylvania is still trying to stimulate economic development at a manufacturing facility in Westmoreland County.

In his final month before leaving office, former Gov. Ed Rendell awarded more than $488 million in state grants through the controversial Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RACP). The grants included $10 million for renovations at a manufacturing facility in Westmoreland County which cannot seem to keep tenants, despite years of state government aid.

Mr. Rendell is the third consecutive Democrat governor to award major taxpayer-funded assistance to the facility, which has previously housed assembly plants for Volkswagen and Sony. The facility currently sits empty – as it has since Sony departed in 2008 – but the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation (WCIDC), which owns the facility, is convinced the third time is the charm. Click here to read more.

Inauguration Coverage
Inauguration Day Photo Gallery | January 18, 2011
Lawmakers React To Corbett’s Inaugural Address | January 18, 2011
Drilling Protesters Have Their Say At Inauguration | January 18, 2011
New Gov. Corbett Avoids Policy Points During Inaugural Speech | January 18, 2011
All Stories
Spending Transparency Website Could Save Millions, Says State Rep | January 20, 2011
UPDATED: McCord Allowed Access To Gaming Board’s Private Meetings | January 20, 2011
Westmoreland County Economic Development Project 34 Years In The Making | January 20, 2011
Commonwealth Court Hears McCord’s Request For Emergency Injunction Against Gaming Board | January 19, 2011
State Police Settle with ACLU Over Obscene Language Citations | January 19, 2011
Corporate Welfare: A Philadelphia Story, Part II | January 17, 2011
Cawley: Corbett Administration Committed To ‘No-Tax’ Pledge | January 17, 2011
Death Penalty Should Be Examined, Rendell Argues | January 14, 2011
Corporate Welfare: A Philadelphia Story, Part I | January 14, 2011
Rendell Praises Stimulus and Stimulus Projects Across the State | January 13, 2011
Another Saul Ewing Boss Gets Spot In Corbett Administration | January 13, 2011
Filling Out Corbett’s Cabinet | January 13, 2011
Will Tom Corbett Have To Play "The Grinch"? | January 13, 2011
Battle Over Reapportionment, Redistricting Set To Begin | January 13, 2011
Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Pittsburgh Coal-Burning Power Plant | January 12, 2011
Corbett’s Transportation Secretary Nominee Involved In Failed I-80 Tolling Project | January 12, 2011
Corrected: Pennsylvania Tea Partiers Reject Violence As Political Means | January 12, 2011
Rendell’s Warning To Corbett: Don’t Blame Me | January 11, 2011
Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania: "We’re Here to Help" | January 11, 2011
State Will Offer TastyKake $1 Million Loan | January 11, 2011
Poor Kids May Get Exit From Failing Government Schools | January 11, 2011
Attorney General’s Office Pays $3.4 Million To Private Tax Collectors | January 10, 2011
Corbett Nominates Wife Of Key Law Firm Chief For Secretary of Commonwealth | January 10, 2011
Local Governments Dependent on State Recycling Grant Program | January 10, 2011
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