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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

MAYOR WATCH

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

ON THE CALENDAR

? BP Quizzo is at Hawthornes this month: Our next trivia night about all things Philadelphia lands outdoors at the Bella Vista beer cafe. Happy hour specials and prizes await. RSVP for free to join us. (6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21)

? You don’t have to wait for the Fourth to see fireworks: head to Penn’s Landing for a light show followed by the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” concert. (9 p.m. Saturday, July 2)

? The Space Jams dance party brings hits from the ’90s and 2000s for a high-energy night at The Dolphin on South Broad. Tix are $5. (10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday, July 3)