Here's what we're reading this week about the projects, people and policies driving local development:
Inquirer: Philly flush with cash thanks to business and real estate tax revenues
Claudia Vargas, November 13, 2018
The City of Philadelphia finished FY18 with a fund balance of $421mm, greatly higher than its projected $75.5 mm surplus, largely due to more robust business tax revenue and real estate transfer tax receipts.
WHYY: Advocates hope Gov. Wolf uses decisive election victory to seek large school funding boost
Kyrie Greenberg, November 12, 2018
Governor Wolf’s large margin of victory could lay the groundwork to move changes in school funding formulas forward.
Next City: Crowdfunding and Opportunity Zones Joining Forces in Philadelphia Project
Jared Brey, November 5, 2018
Mosaic Development is undertaking a project in a new Opportunity Zone, using crowdfunded investing as part of the financing for a development that will include market rate affordable rental units.
Plan Philly: Study: Spending now on legal aid for renters would save city down the road
Jake Blumgart, November 13, 2018
A proposal to provide free legal counsel for low income tenants in rental eviction cases is studied, for its cost and effect.
Billy Penn: What Amazon rejected: $5.7 billion HQ2 package from Philly and PA
Max Marin, November 13, 2018
What did Philadelphia and Pennsylvania offer Amazon to bring HQ2 here? The offer, with some redactions, is linked here.
Plan Philly: Philly's Amazon HQ2 loss could be a long-term win for city, experts say
Jim Saksa, November 13, 2018
How can Philadelphia gain from losing out in the Amazon HQ2 beauty contest?
Inquirer: Losing Amazon HQ2 underscores where Philly falls short | Opinion
John Fry, November 15, 2018
Drexel University President John Fry weighs in with his opinion on why Philadelphia didn’t land Amazon HQ2, and how we need to expand our talent pool through education at elementary and high school levels.
Inquirer: What can Philly learn from Amazon’s decision?
Joel Naroff, November 18, 2018
Joel Naroff analyzes what Philadelphia can learn about attracting companies from the Amazon HQ2 nationwide contest.