What to know about AFSCME District 33 ousting its president
The head of the biggest city workers union was booted from his job over accusations that he hired more than a dozen employees, including relatives, and spent more than $1 million in union funds without official board approval. Ernest Garrett denied any misconduct, saying he was targeted by political rivals and tried to fix longstanding management deficiencies.
The 10,000-member union represents workers in a wide range of areas such as sanitation, prisons, libraries and the Streets Department. BP’s Meir Rinde explains what happened and what might come next. Continue reading…
New mini-golf restaurant Puttshack merges tech and nostalgia
A giant beer pong setup, a carnivalesque mini-duck shoot, and interactive trivia with players answering by putting their golf ball through True or False chutes are among the tech-infused mini-golf options available at Puttshack, a bar/restaurant/recreation space opening this Saturday at 1625 Chestnut Street.
It joins the collection of themed fun-and-food venues gaining popularity across the country. The few Philly-specific touches at Puttshack’s latest spot are mostly on the restaurant’s menus, which include “tailpipes,” aka spring rolls, and a cheesesteak flatbread. BP’s Ali Mohsen got a peek at the 26,000-square-foot space and has details on what to expect. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pa.’s supreme court ruled that Republican state lawmakers can no longer try to enforce a 2021 subpoena for election records that they sought to support former President Donald Trump’s attempts to dispute 2020 election results. [AP]
• Does Gov. Shapiro’s pitch to legalize marijuana have a chance in the Pa. legislature? What to know about the state legislature’s next steps. [Spotlight PA]
• The Sixers’ proposed arena could cost the city more than $1 billion in tax revenue across several Center City neighborhoods and negatively impact traffic and public safety, according to a study out of the University of Washington. [PlanPhilly at WHYY]
• As Philly leaders touted 2023’s tourism numbers and optimistic outlook for the coming years, they also reflected on the city’s positive ratings for LGBTQ+ hospitality. [PGN]
• Please Touch Museum president Patricia Wellenbach will step down in 2025 after seven years in the role. The change comes amid worker attempts to unionize, historic repairs to the main hall, and the museum’s upcoming 50th anniversary. [Inquirer$/Billy Penn]
• Philly City Council reintroduced a bill that would allow student-athletes to make promo deals. The bill passed last year, but suffered a pocket veto from outgoing Mayor Jim Kenney. [NBC10]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🫶🏾 Discuss the transformation of spaces and evolving neighborhood identity in Germantown in this community series. Free. (1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24)
🎭 Laugh and maybe find love at Fooling Around: A Dating Comedy Show on South Street. $10 tickets. (7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25)
🎶 “Funk around and find out” at the Trestle Inn and drink to the sounds of soul music artists who attended HBCUs. (8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26)
Catch up on the previous week
Receive Billy Penn’s free daily roundup in your inbox every morning. Sign up here!
