Morning Headlines: Election Day, School Borrowing, More

The state budget standoff has forced Philly schools to borrow $250 million. See Item 4 below. | Photo by Jeff Fusco

Good morning, Philadelphia, and happy National Sandwich Day. Here’s what you need to know today.

It’s Election Day! Here’s everything you need to know today.

Philly Mag’s Holly Otterbein reports the election is more than just the mayor’s race. “By casting a ballot, you could help determine the makeup of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for decades to come. You could have a say in the role of the Republican Party in Philadelphia. And you could even win $10,000 (no, seriously).” If you need help, try out Citified’s no-B.S. guide to the election for a brutally honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates running for mayor, City Council, Supreme Court, Register of Wills, Sheriff, City Commissioner and more.

Dwight Evans plans to run for Chaka Fattah’s congressional seat, setting up a match of two of the city’s biggest political heavyweights.

“This should be a hell of a contest,” Philly Mag’s Patrick Kerkstra writes. “It’s a matchup of two titans. Both are bruised and battered, both remain far more powerful than their detractors would like, and both — despite the advanced stage of their respective careers — once more have a lot to prove.” He adds: “Evans is a brand name in Philadelphia politics. Voters who might have newfound qualms with Fattah — given his problems with the Feds — may well feel more comfortable voting for Evans, a name they know.”  His biggest challenge? There’s not much sign that normal Philadelphians care much about the charges facing Fattah.

Speaking of the Fattah family — Chip Fattah’s trial on fraud charges is nearly at an end.

“Federal prosecutors allege he defrauded banks and the IRS between 2005 and 2012, and made false statements to obtain and settle loans to fund a lavish lifestyle,” CBS3 reports. “Prosecutors say the money was used for cars, clubs, clothes, restaurants, and entertainment, rather than working capital and other business expenses as required by the loan agreements.” Fattah, the son of the congressman, offers this as his defense: “I worked hard and I made money.” Jurors are expected to get the case later today.

The state budget impasse has forced Philly schools to borrow $250 million to stay open.

The SRC approved the action Monday. “In all, if the Philadelphia School District needs to use all of the funds now allowed, the state budget stalemate will cost the district $2.5 million in interest and fees,” the Inquirer reports. The state may end up paying those costs, but there are no assurances. “The school system, which is responsible for about 200,000 students in traditional public and charter schools, spends on average $10 million a day. Philadelphia must pay the funds back by the end of the fiscal year, June 30.”

Philly could be designated America’s first “World Heritage City” by the end of the week.

“There are 266 World Heritage Cities in the world, and not one in the United States,” Mayor Michael A. Nutter said in a statement released this week.  “It is clear that Philadelphia is a perfect candidate to become the first delegate from the U.S. to join the roster of preeminent heritage cities, the most obvious of which is that we are the city where American democracy was established.  By becoming a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, Philadelphia will be recognized throughout the world and we will add yet another impressive ‘first in the U.S.’ to our long list.” The World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities meets today through Friday.

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