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Property tax refunds, relief could cost school district $60 million

State budget negotiations, local property tax relief, and a recent court decision are threatening to throw a wrench in the Philly School District’s $4.3B budget.

• Philadelphia’s Homestead Exemption increase takes effect today, projected to cost the district millions. Meanwhile, Harrisburg is fighting Gov. Wolf’s plan to distribute federal education rescue funds.

Jordan Levy breaks down the local, state, and federal sources of funding for Philly’s schools, and the budget questions facing the district in the coming year.

Which Herr’s ‘Flavored by Philly’ potato chip is the best?

Mid-June, Chester County snack food purveyor Herr’s debuted a trio of potato chips inspired by Philadelphia specialties.

• The limited edition chips, available in stores now, are finalists in a contest to see which Philly flavor is most popular. More than 6,200 people submitted ideas, and the winner gets a $10k prize.

The options? “(215) Special Sauce,” “Long Hots with Sharp Provolone,” and “Wiz Wit.” Billy Penn conducted an official taste test — here’s what we found.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• The Pa. House voted to form a committee with subpoena power to investigate Philadelphia DA Krasner, in search of impeachable offenses. Philly Democratic state Reps. Boyle, Neilson, and Hohenstein joined Republicans in the vote. [Inquirer$/AP]
• Summer school is expanding in Philly for the second year running. Some education professionals say the expansion of the school year is becoming the norm. [Axios]
• After media reported on the unprecedented increase in summer gas bills for more than 250k residents, PGW has filed to reverse the “Weather Normalization Adjustment.” [6ABC/WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Foot traffic and visits are up in Center City, as business conditions creep close to pre-pandemic levels. Outdoor dining is still popular, with 68% more seats than before COVID. [WHYY]
• The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed will be the site of a new learning trail in North Philly this summer. [NextCity]
• Manchester City and U.S. men’s goalkeeper Zach Steffen visited the Boys and Girls Club in North Philadelphia, joining young players in discussion and donating $10k. [KYW]

MAYOR WATCH

No public appearances for Philly’s 99th mayor on this first day of the city’s new fiscal year.

ON THE CALENDAR