Items by AboveAvgJane

• The Game's Afoot!

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Some times it is nice to do a number of things that have a theme.
  
  Some years ago the People's Light and Theatre had a wonderful King Arthur play. We took the kids and talked about the similarity between the play, the "Sword in the Stone" cartoon movie, and [...]
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  Posted: December 19, 2009, 10:49pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Statement by the President on Health Care and Climate Change

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  THE PRESIDENT: Hello. Good afternoon, everybody. You know that I am from Chicago, so let me first say that with the place where I live covered with snow I'm finally starting to feel like home. And I am sorry to drag you guys out in this weather,' [...]
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  Posted: December 19, 2009, 10:39pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Schwartz Brings Home Eight Gifts for Hanukkah

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 1
  From the inbox:
  U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz praised the inclusion of eight projects for the 13th district in the Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama earlier this week. The legislation increases funding for infrastructure, health, and education projects in order to [...]
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  Posted: December 18, 2009, 9:43pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Judicial Elections or Appointments? McCaffery Weighs In

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 2
  Bill Mears wrote an article for the CNN website on the judicial elections / appointments controversy. Former US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is clearly on the side of appointing judges. For additional opinions Mears talks with the Ohio Chief Justice and PA Supreme Court Judge Seamus McCaffery. Here' [...]
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  Posted: December 17, 2009, 11:33pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• SEPTA Sports Express This Weekend

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  The Eagles playoff quest returns home this weekend – and SEPTA has the best options for fans to get down to Lincoln Financial Field for all the action.
  
  The Birds square off against the San Francisco 49ers at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 20th. To accommodate [...]
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  Posted: December 17, 2009, 11:29pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Another Community Passes "Lost or Stolen" Gun Law

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  On December 15, amid a contentious public comment session, and despite strong opposition by the PA Firearms Owners Association and NRA-ILA, West Mifflin Borough Council voted to pass a commonsense law requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms missing to the police. West Mifflin joins [...]
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  Posted: December 17, 2009, 11:22pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Want Less Expensive Government? Elect More Women

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 3
  Another observation from the Statement of Disbursements of the House (July through Sept) -- women congressional representatives often spend less than their male counterparts.
  
  Looking at the year to date spending in the Statement of Disbursements, I noticed that in Pennsylvania Democrats Allyson Schwartz and Kathleen Dahlkemper were both [...]
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  Posted: December 16, 2009, 11:10pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Friends With No Benefits?

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Another post on the Statement of Disbursements of the House (July through September). To recap, this is a 3 volume report issued quarterly on what the offices of congressional representatives spend. One thing I noticed about the Pennsylvania delegation is the great disparity in what is paid for personnel compensation [...]
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  Posted: December 16, 2009, 12:00am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Daniel and Jordan's Mom Says "Eat Your Vegetables!"

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  As a mother I can really appreciate this note from the inbox:
  U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz introduced a bi-partisan resolution today, co-sponsored by 32 members of Congress, to recognize the need for a national program to provide an effective and economically sustainable solution to the problem of limited access [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 11:54pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Murphy on Mammograms

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  from the inbox:
  Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) voted for House Resolution 971, a resolution supporting women’s access to mammography screenings and services. The resolution also encourages the National Cancer Institute to continue to invest in and provide leadership regarding research to develop more effective screening tools [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 11:42pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• SEPTA Weekend Family Pass

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  There are a lot of things going on downtown over the holidays, the Wannamaker light show, Dickens village, the Comcast lobby, Reading terminal marker, etc. Something you may not know -- you can use your monthly SEPTA train pass to buy a weekend family pass. It is good for up [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 11:25pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Doherty Office Video

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  I dont' watch "The Office" but understand it is very funny, and that it is set in Scranton.
  
  Scranton mayor Chris Doherty has created a parody using footage from the show, of the 8 year switchoff in the governors office (Doherty is a Democratic candidate for governor). Take' [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 12:09am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Murtha hospitalized

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  David Rogers of Politico reported to day that Congressman John Murtha has been hospitalized. Check tomorrow's papers for details. (h/t GrassrootsPA) [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 12:07am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Corbett Parties with Pols Under Investigation

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett, a GOP candidate for governor, attended events at this past weekend's Pennsylvania Society with some of the people under investigation in bonusgate. From "For some, Corbett not a friendly face" by Thomas Fitzgerald in today's Inky:
  "It was interesting to see Tom Corbett in the" [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2009, 12:02am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• World Class City

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  The Economy League has asked our help in learning what people would like to see changed in Philadelphia and what it's best features are. Take a quick survey at:
  
  [www.zoomerang.com] [...]
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  Posted: December 14, 2009, 11:40pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Delco 1 - 2 Punch for PHL

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Congressman Joe Sestak (D-07) and State Rep Bryan Lentz (D-161), both representing Delaware County, have each introduced legislation regarding traffic flow, specifically aircraft flight patterns out of Philadelphia.
  
  This is Sestak's contribution:
  In his continued efforts to enhance Pennsylvania's transportation system, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Joe [...]
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  Posted: December 14, 2009, 10:59pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Mobile SEPTA

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  SEPTA is proud to announce the beginnings of its mobile site for customers needing information on-the-go. Point your browser to www.septa.org/m for the latest travel advisories, station location information, quick links to TrainView and Next To Arrive mobile, and our Customer Service comment form.
  
  We [...]
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  Posted: December 14, 2009, 10:37pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Congressional Reading Material

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Just before Thanksgiving I was in DC for a few days and someone gave me the July - September Statement of Disbursements of the House, which is a 3 volume list of what various congressional representatives spent and on what during that quarter.
  
  One item of particular interest to [...]
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  Posted: December 13, 2009, 11:48pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Philly Cultural Alliance Strikes Back

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  2009 has been quite a year for arts and culture in Pennsylvania. From ticket tax proposals to legislation that would have defunded the state's arts agency completely, it seems like we've seen it all.....until this week.
  
  This past Wednesday, Senators John McCain and Tom Coburn released' [...]
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  Posted: December 13, 2009, 11:36pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• List of PA Political Influencers

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  This is an interesting list:
  PoliticsPA and Politics Magazine: Pennsylvania's 100 Most Influential Politicos Politics magazine's list of the 100 most influential Republicans and Democrats in Pennsylvania will be published in the January 2010 issue-which happens to have Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) as a guest editor.
  
  View [...]
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  Posted: December 13, 2009, 11:15pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Congressional Statements on Wall Street Reform

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 1
  A number of our congressional representatives have sent out statements on recently passed legislation aimed at reforming Wall Street. Here are select press releases:
  
  Patrick Murphy:
  Today, Congressman Patrick Murphy’s (D-PA, 8th District) legislation to create the Office of Financial Protection for Older Adults, an agency that would [...]
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  Posted: December 13, 2009, 11:04pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• State of the Blog -- Year 5

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 2
  The annual state of the blog post is late this year; the actual blogiversary is in mid-November. Apologies for the delay.
  
  I took a 2 month hiatus from November 2008 to January 2009; initially this was intended to be an end to the blog but retirement didn't work out' [...]
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  Posted: December 13, 2009, 10:57pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Obama's Remarks at Nobel Ceremony

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
  AT THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
  Oslo City Hall
  Oslo, Norway
  1:44 P.M. CET
  
  THE PRESIDENT: Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, citizens of America, and citizens of the world:
  
  I receive this [...]
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  Posted: December 12, 2009, 9:45pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Budget Rant: Groundhog Day Version

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Thought the state budget was done? NO! It's still going on. State colleges and universities have not been funded.
  
  "Wait," you say, "hasn't the legislature talked about the importance of increasing the number of college graduates in the state? Aren't there numerous press releases talking about the need" [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2009, 11:39pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Interesting NRA / Non-NRA Poll

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From our friends at CeaseFirePA:
  Today, EJ Dionne's column in the Washington Post discusses a new poll conducted by Republican Pollster Frank Luntz, released by Mayors Against Illegal Guns. The poll surveyed NRA members, and non-NRA gun owners, finding members of both groups in favor of laws designed to [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2009, 11:37pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• SEPTA Service for Army / Navy Game

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  SEPTA is reporting for duty this weekend, as Philadelphia plays host to the annual Army-Navy Game.
  
  The Cadets and the Midshipmen face-off Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in this gridiron classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:40 p.m., but the festivities get underway at 10:30 a.m. with [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2009, 10:49pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Cillizza on Markell

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Today Washington Post columnist / blogger Chris Cillizza added to his series called "The Rising" by profiling Delaware Gov. Jack Markell who is also currently chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. Cillizza's article in online at: [voices.washingtonpost.com] [...]
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  Posted: December 10, 2009, 9:31pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Another PA Town Passes "Lost or Stolen" Ordinance

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  from the inbox:
  Aliquippa City Council has voted unanimously to pass an ordinance requiring that lost or stolen firearms be reported to the police, upon discovery of their absence. Aliquippa is the 17th in a string of Pennsylvania cities and towns to adopt lost or stolen handgun reporting, and part [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 11:21pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Fed Money for PA Community Health Centers

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  Today President Obama announced nearly $600 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) awards to support major construction and renovation projects at 85 community health centers nationwide and help networks of health centers adopt Electronic Health Records (EHR) and other Health Information Technology (HIT) systems. [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 11:15pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Birthday Wishes

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Our friends at the Economy League are celebrating their 100th birthday. If you are so inclined, send them a gift, or at least a card or best wishes. [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 11:10pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• GOP Pressures Holden to Resign

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Reid Wilson at the National Journal, in "GOP Pushing Dems to Retire," outlines, as you might guess, a plan by Republicans to pressure some Democrats to retire. Here's an excerpt:
  An informal list of 17 members the NRCC believes can be convinced to step down, privately called the "Dem" [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 11:05pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Philly Area Truman Scholars

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 2
  The following people from the Philadelphia area have been named Truman Fellows by the Truman National Security Project:
  
  
  Gwen Camp (Philadelphia)
  Gwen is the in-state representative for Senator Bob Casey, Jr. She previously worked on the Obama presidential campaign, on Capitol Hill, and for Children's International [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 5:51pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Shapiro's Terror-Free Investing Bill Passes

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 1
  From the inbox:
  
  The state House unanimously passed legislation today sponsored by Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, by a 193-0 vote, to prohibit Pennsylvania’s public pension funds from investing in foreign companies with significant business ties to Iran and Sudan. The bill is now awaiting Senate action.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 5:45pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• PA Cities on "Best Bang for Your Buck" List

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Forbes magazine has released its list of the top 100 cities that give you the "best bang for your buck." The criteria were: Housing Affordablity, Travel Time, Real Estate Taxes, Unemployment, Vacancies, Job Forecast, Home Price Forecast, and Foreclosures. Several Pennsylvania cities are on the list and there are [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 11:50pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Sestak, Endorsements, and Gay Marriage

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  You may have already heard that Congressman Joe Sestak, candidate for Senate, was endorsed today by Congressman Barney Frank. What does this mean? Washington Post reporter / blogger Chris Cillizza of The Fix classifies it this way:
  In the release touting Franks' backing, Sestak focused on the Massachusetts' [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 10:39pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• "Climategate" video

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Attytood posted a really good video on the so-called "climategate." It's great detective work and examination of the record. [www.philly.com] [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 10:05pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Metropolis: New Local News Website

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  A new local news and information website debuted this week. Check out Metropolis at www.phlmetropolis.com [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 10:03pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• IPERA Update

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  from the inbox:
  This week, two taxpayer watchdog groups endorsed H.R. 3393, the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (IPERA) of 2009, introduced by Rep. Patrick Murphy and Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray. The National Taxpayers Union and the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste support this bipartisan legislation [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 9:45pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Wagner on Afghanistan (and His Military Background)

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From yesterday's inbox:
  Auditor General Jack Wagner, speaking tonight at the annual dinner of the Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania, addressed President Obama’s recent decision to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. Wagner, a longtime advocate for the men, women, and veterans of the armed forces, [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 8:19pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Buy This Book!

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  David Plouffe has written a book about his work on the Obama campaign, the Audacity to Win. If you buy a copy tomorrow, Dec. 8th, Plouffe and his family will donate $1 to adult and children's literacy programs for every book sold. David makes clear that if folks weren't already' [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 8:14pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Murphy Endorses Onorato

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  On Saturday, Dec. 5th, Congressman Patrick J. Murphy (D-08) endorsed Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato for governor. The announcement took place at the Teamsters Local 107 Hall in Philadelphia. Murphy thanked Bill Hamilton, president of Local 107 and international vice president for the Eastern region. He went on [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 10:45pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Testimony Tomorrow on Merit Selection of Judges

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 7th, at 10:00 a.m. Lynn A. Marks, executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (PMC) and PMCAction and PMC board chairman Robert Heim will testify before the Subcommittee on Courts in support of merit selection legislation (HB 1619 and 1621). Also testifying will be Charlotte Glauser, [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 8:17pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Obama Visits Allentown, PA Officials' Remarks

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  As you have all no doubt read by now Pres. Obama visited Allentown on Friday. Intrepid newspaper blogger John Micek live blogged the event on Capitol Ideas. You can review the entries online. One tidbit -- Congressional Reps. Chris Carney and Allyson Schwartz flew in with Obama [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 5:03pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• November Unemployment Numbers

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  from the inbox:
  The statement below was posted on Whitehouse.gov by the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, Christina Romer, in response to the November employment report. The statement can also be accessed at the following link: [www.whitehouse.gov].
  
  
  On the Employment Situation in November
  
  Posted [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 10:14pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Feds Invest in Solazyme

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the selection of a Pennsylvania integrated biorefinery project to receive more than $21.7 million in Recovery Act funding to accelerate the construction and operation of a pilot scale facility. Today’s selection is part of 19 integrated biorefinery projects [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 9:58pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• DGA Conference Call

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  As mentioned yesterday the Democratic Governor's Association announced that Delaware Gov. Jack Markell has been selected as their new chair. Gov. Martin O'Malley of Maryland is the vice chair.
  
  Today Markell participated in a DGA conference call with bloggers. He spoke highly of the role the online community' [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 11:09pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Zandi's Senate Testimony

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Yesterday I mentioned that noted economist Dr. Mark Zandi of the Philadelphia area would be speaking before the Senate Democratic Policy Committee
  
  Here are some excerpts of his testimony:
  Noted economist Mark Zandi told the panel that while the “longest, broadest and most severe economic downturn since the 1930s [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 11:04pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• PennEnvironment Report on Marcellus Shale

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  The good people at PennEnvironment have released a 20 page report, "Preserving Forests, Protecting Waterways," by Erika Staaf and David Masur.
  
  According to their press release:
  The report calls on Pennsylvania ’s elected officials to pass drilling protections that:
  
  * Improve the public’s right [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 8:18pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Measuring the Economic Impact of Immigrants

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Our friends at the Keystone Research Center have alerted us to a new report Immigrants and the Economy (52 pages), prepared by the Fiscal Policy Institute, which is affiliated wit the SEIU. the subtitle is: Contribution of Immigrant Workers to the Country’s 25 Largest Metropolitan Areas with a [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 8:13pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Note to the Inky

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  There are a few things a newspaper needs to survive (besides ad revenue, of course). One is reporters. Another is copy editors. That may be one word. I'm not sure, but a good copy editor would. When reading this morning's paper it was somewhat disconcerting to see that State Rep' [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 7:57pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• More on Pike and Choice

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  If yesterday's spate of press releases and op-eds outlining the stance of the Democratic candidates for the 6th congressional district on the touchy matter of abortion (see pa2010 for a recap) is anything to go by, it is a topic of interest.
  
  One candidate, Doug Pike, has [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 11:31pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Manan Trivedi in "A Table in the Presence"

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Last month I posted a review of A Table in the Presence by Lt. Carey H. Cash, a Navy chaplain who was among the first troops to enter Iraq. In the review I mentioned that a current Pennsylvania congressional candidate served with Cash and promised details later. Today is [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 10:49pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Pike Announces Campaign Finance Committee

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  In keeping with tonight's 6th congressional district theme, this is from today's inbox:
  Today, Pike for Congress is announcing the formation of its Finance Committee and its first 9 members, who have pledged to help Doug Pike turn the 6th District blue in 2010. Each of the distinguished members [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 10:12pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Twitter Updates

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  For those who have missed these twitter feeds, you can now follow:
  
  Bryan Lentz, Democratic candidate for the 7th congressional district at www.twitter.com/bryanlentz
  
  Chris Doherty, one of the Democratic candidates for governor, is on twitter at: [twitter.com] [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 10:06pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Joe Hoeffel December Events

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Joe Hoeffel, one of the Democratic candidates for governor, has scheduled a number of events for December. Check out the calendar on his campaign site for details. [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 10:04pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Manan Trivedi on Afghanistan

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox, from Manan Trivedi, Democratic candidate for 6th congressional district:
  "I commend the President’s efforts to speak plainly and bluntly to America regarding the war in Afghanistan. His honest and direct approach is a refreshing change. However, I disagree with his assessment of the situation and his" [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 9:50pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Murphy (D) and Rooney (R) on Afghanistan

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA, 8th District) and Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL, 16th District) issued the following statement today on President Obama’s address to the nation on the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan :
  
  “We support President Obama’s decision to commit 30,000 additional U.S. troops [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 9:43pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• DGA Elects PA Border State Govs

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  Members of the Democratic Governors Association today chose Delaware Gov. Jack Markell as chair and Gov. Martin O’Malley as vice chair for the critical 2010 election cycle. DGA also announced an aggressive new multimillion-dollar effort to educate the public about the GOP’s fiscal recklessness and plans to [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 9:40pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Progressive Security Groups Support Afghan Policy

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 2
  From the inbox:
  n a conference call on December 2, six leading progressive organizations came together to offer support and commentary regarding President Obama's newly announced Afghanistan strategy. Representatives from the Truman National Security Project, the Center for American Progress, the Progressive Policy Institute, the National Security Network, Third [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 9:22pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Joe Sestak's Statement on Presidential Speech

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 1
  from the inbox:
  Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak voiced support for President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. For months, Sestak, drawing from his firsthand experience with counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan as head of the Navy's anti-terrorism unit, has called for a renewed commitment to the [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 12:04am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Patrick Murphy's Statement on Presidential Speech

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA, 8th District) issued the following statement tonight following President Obama’s address on the United States ’ continued commitment to Afghanistan :
  
  “I strongly support President Obama for his decision to commit 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan . He has listened [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 12:02am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Even the US Senate Likes Mark Zandi

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Local boy Mark Zandi who appears so often in the Wall Street Journal, was an economic advisor to John McCain's presidential campaign, and now advises the Obama administration, not to mention being the chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, is testifying before the U.S. Senate:
  a hearing by the Senate Democratic [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:54pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• SEPTA Now on Google Transit

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  SEPTA has entered a new high-tech era, with everything customers need now just a click away.
  
  SEPTA’s bus schedule information is now available on Google Transit – completing an effort to include all of the transit authority’s travel data on the popular website. SEPTA partnered with [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:50pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Santarsiero Supporting Red Cross

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  If you are in Newtown this Sunday, please remember those who are helped by the Red Cross:
  
  State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero, D-Bucks, will be hosting an open house for the holiday season during the Newtown Santa Parade from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 at [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:47pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Another Green Business in Bucks

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  from the inbox:
  
  Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) joined local business owners to announce the expansion of Y-Carbon, Inc. to Bucks County . The CEO of Y-Carbon, James Horan, joined Congressman Murphy to announce a $150,000 Recovery Act grant for the company, and how the green, [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:35pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Anne Lazarus to Join Superior Court

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  
  As you know, the race for Superior Court was extremely close. Over the past couple weeks, each county conducted a recount, as required by state law.
  
  Today, I am pleased to tell you that all of the returns have been submitted and certified, and I [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:30pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Pike / Trivedi Dust Up

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  In case you missed it, the two Democrats running for the open seat in the 6th congressional district, Doug Pike and Manan Trivedi, went at it hammer and tongs today. Or, if you prefer, imagine two cats having a territorial spat and whacking each other on the head.
  [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:26pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Roll Call: Platts to GAO?

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Shira Toeplitz writes in today's Roll Call, "Ambitious Republicans Start Eyeing Platts’ Seat:"
  
  Republicans will likely keep the seat held by Rep. Todd Platts (R-Pa.) if the five-term House Member is appointed to lead Congress’ top watchdog agency.
  
  Platts applied in October to head the Government Accountability [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:22pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Gubernatorial Candidates' Updates

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  An assortment of updates from Democratic candidates for governor:
  
  State Rep. Mike Gerber endorsed Don Onorato.
  
  The leader of the Democratic Party in Jefferson County today announced his endorsement of Auditor General Jack Wagner for Governor.
  
  Joe Hoeffel called on Attorney General (and [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:16pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Penn Dems Election Tuesday, Dec. 1

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  The Penn Dems, the University of Pennsylvania student Democratic organization, is having officer elections tomorrow. If you are a Penn Dem please remember to vote. [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 12:05am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Obama Administration Kicks Off Mortgage Modification Conversion Drive

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  from the inbox:
  The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today kick off a nationwide campaign to help borrowers who are currently in the trial phase of their modified mortgages under the Obama Administration's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) convert to permanent modifications. [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 11:53pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Are Your Smarter Than a Former Deputy Speaker?

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  This Tuesday, State Rep. Josh Shapiro is sponsoring a game of political quizzo. I'm not quite sure what that entails (Mr. DeWeese in the rotunda with a candlestick? or I'll take gerrymandering for $500?) Nor am I sure if Shapiro will be playing himself or just orchestrating. But if [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 8:35pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Chris Doherty Campaign Website

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 5
  One of the many Democrats running for governor, Scranton mayor Chris Doherty, now has his campaign website up and running: www.chrisdoherty.com [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 6:13pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Sestak in Philly Mag

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  The December issue of Philadelphia Magazine has a long profile of Joe Sestak by writer Jason Fagone. Check out Run, Joe, Run, in the print issue or at [www.phillymag.com] [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 4:34pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• A Brief Personal Note on October and November

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  This fall seemed more hectic than usual and I’m not sure why. In October I took the kids up to the Poconos for a weekend. On the way someone hit the back of our van. That led to a lot of paperwork and inconvenience. The rest of the weekend had [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 4:17pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Sestak on Education

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Joe Sestak, current Congressman and candidate for Senate, was one of the CEO's and policy makers the Wall Street Journal invited to discuss four issues, one of them being education. The article "An Educated Work Force" was published in Monday 11/23's special section "How to Rebuild Global Prosperity. Sestak" [...]
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  Posted: November 27, 2009, 11:15pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• A Thanksgiving Note

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Today it is customary to express thanks for all of one's blessings, and I am surely blessed.
  
  As the day ends, however, what is utmost in my mind is that the Grace Kelly version of "High Society" is nowhere near as good as the Katherine Hepburn version. After spending [...]
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  Posted: November 26, 2009, 11:19pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Schwartz Lauds Legislation

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Catching up, this is from last Thursday:
  U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz voted in support of legislation today that will ensure fair and adequate payment for physicians who participate in Medicare. Ensuring fair reimbursement for doctors who accept Medicare is vital to protecting access to doctors for seniors and [...]
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  Posted: November 26, 2009, 11:18pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• PA Turkeys in DC

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  The title of this blog post does not refer to any of our elected officials. Please note the bolded sentence in this press release from the White House:
  THE PRESIDENT: Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. Welcome to the White House. On behalf of Sasha and Malia and myself, we're thrilled to see' [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 9:59pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• The Demographics of the Fox News Audience

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Catching up on some reading and found this, from the Nov. 2, 2009 issue of the New Yorker. In "Talk of the Town," a segment titled "Chin Music"
  In 2008, half of the people who watched the Fox News Channel were over sixty-three, which is the oldest demographic in the [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 9:51pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• First Time Home Buyers's Tax Credit Expansion

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From last Friday's inbox:
  Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) joined local realtors and homebuyers to announce the expansion of the first-time homebuyer tax credit to help more hardworking families in Bucks County and across the country achieve the American dream by owning their own home. Emma Ahedo, [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 9:49pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• PA Receives $7M for Smart Grid & Energy Storage

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the inbox:
  
  Energy Secretary Chu announced today that the Department of Energy is awarding more than $7 million for 2 Pennsylvania projects to demonstrate advanced Smart Grid technologies and integrated systems that will help build a smarter, more efficient, more resilient electrical grid. This announcement is part of [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 9:21pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Kudos to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on ACORN Coverage

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Editor & Publisher has published an article on the media coverage of ACORN, "Have the media 'falsely framed' ACORN," by Christopher R. Martin and Peter Dreier. There is an interesting section on the Pittsburgh newspaper:
  Ed Blazina, who works on the local news desk at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, had [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 9:00pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• More Green Bucks

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From Friday's inbox:
  Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) announced over $1.2 million in federal funding for green energy initiatives in Bucks County . Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Rep. Murphy proudly voted for, Conservation Works! received $1,211,011 in federal grants to go toward green [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 11:39pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Finding Info in Senate Health Care Bill

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From Mike Allen's Politico Playbook on this past Saturday, a little indexing of the senate health insurance reform bill:
  
  CORRESPONDENT DAN PFEIFFER REPORTS ON THE WHITE HOUSE BLOG: 'Speaking of page numbers... Since some opponents of reform seem too obsessed with the length of the Senate health insurance reform' [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 11:37pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Sibelius: Health Care Reform Benefits for PA

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 2
  From the inbox:
  HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of a new report highlighting the benefits of health insurance reform for Pennsylvania. Health Insurance Reform and Pennsylvania: The Case for Change is available now at www.HealthReform.gov.
  
  “Families, seniors and businesses are all suffering under the [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 11:29pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Toeplitz on Toomey

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Shira Toeplitz has an interesting article on Pat Toomey in Roll Call. Read "Is Toomey Edging to the Center?" [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 11:20pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Congressional Spending Habits: PA Version

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 2
  I was in DC over the weekend for a conference and a friend, who knows my proclivities, gave me the 3 vol. July - Sept. Statement of Disbursements of the House. I'm told this information will be going online in the vaguely near future but for now is only available' [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 10:43pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Jack Wagner in DiStefano's Column

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  A few months ago I discovered Joseph DiStefano's "PhillyDeals" column in the Inky. Somewhat surprisingly it is a great source of political news. Today's offering, "Not all towns back an interest-swap ban," is on PA Auditor General and gubernatorial candidate Jack Wagner's plan to bank interest-rate swaps. It's' [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:18am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Murphy to Receive Kennedy Award

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Kudos to Congressman Patrick Murphy. From the inbox:
  CAROLINE KENNEDY TO HONOR RECIPIENTS OF THE 2009 NEW FRONTIER AWARD
  
  Cambridge, MA – Monday, November 23, Caroline Kennedy will present the sixth annual John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award to U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania, the first veteran of [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:32pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Dent and Gerlach Targeted

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Belated note from the inbox:
  Following the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act in the U.S. House of Representatives last Saturday, Organizing for America (OFA)-Pennsylvania, a project of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), announced today that its volunteers would be called on to drop by the offices [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 9:49pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• News From the Economy League

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  From the November issue of the Economy League's Citizens' Business:
  
  Dr. Wendell E. Pritchett, Chancellor of Rutgers University at Camden (top right), has joined Dr. Steven M. Altschuler, President & CEO of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, as a co-chair of the World Class Greater Philadelphia initiative. The' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 9:47pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• 11 PA Cities on Milken List

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  The Milken Institute has released its 2009 list of the 200 best performing cities. There are 11 Pennsylvania cities on the list of large cities, and 4 on the list of small cities. [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 9:12pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• PA in New Blue Green Alliance Report

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 2
  From the inbox:
  The recommendations included in a report by the Blue Green Alliance, Building a Clean Energy Assembly Line: How Renewable Energy Can Revitalize U.S. Manufacturing and the American Middle Class, outline policies for market building, market reforms, financing, innovation and capacity building to create clean energy jobs. [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:16am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Campaign Website Updates

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  For those keeping score at home, there are some new websites and twitterers to follow.
  
  State Rep. Bryan Lentz, who recently launched his campaign for 7th district congressman, has a new campaign website up: www.votelentz.com, and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/bryanlentz.
  
  Joe Hoeffel's gubernatorial site [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:08am EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Two New Information Resources

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  A few new information resources for your browsing pleasure:
  
  Good Jobs First, a national policy resource center for grassroots groups and public officials, promoting corporate and government accountability in economic development and smart growth for working families, has compiled a report, "Show Us the Stimulus," analyzing states'' [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 11:57pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Brett Mandel Update

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Brett Mandel, who was a candidate in Philadelphia in the primary, sent around a note updating people on what he has been doing. He spent time with his family and has now moved on to a new job:
  I am now leading the work of the National Education Technology Funding [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 11:38pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Interview with Dr. Manan Trivedi, Democratic Candidate for the 6th Congresstional District

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  Dr. Manan Trivedi is one of two Democratic candidates for the 6th congressional district. This is an open seat as the incumbent, Jim Gerlach, has decided to run for governor. Dr. Trivedi grew up in Berks County, went to medical school, served in the Navy with one of the [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 5:37pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Joe Biden Gets the Last Laugh

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  During his first presidential campaign, in 1987, Joe Biden took a lot of heat for not crediting British politician Neil Kinnock when quoting or paraphrasing some of his remarks. Yesterday Robert Pear noted in the New York times ("In House, many spoke with one voice -- lobbyists'") that a' [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 3:50pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane

• Willow Grove Base Deal Falls Through

  —Above Average Jane

  Number of comments: 0
  This was posted to The Reporter Online today, "State pulls outof Willow Grove base," regarding the Willow Grove Naval Air Base:
  Governor Edward Rendell announced Thursday that Pennsylvania has withdrawn plans to continue operations at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) in Willow Grove, according to [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 11:56pm EST
  by AboveAvgJane