#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Red light crossing
(Photo by @mediumsizeddeal)
‘Crushing and absurd.’ Small businesses call for BIRT tax fix
A big tax increase for tens of thousands of Philly’s smallest businesses is causing consternation and drawing urgent calls for a fix.
Without a change, the BIRT will have “chilling effects” on solo practitioners in Philadelphia, forcing them out of the city, opponents said. Continue reading…
America’s first Mother’s Day was in Philly, but its founder spoke out against commercialization
In 1908, Anna Jarvis was a congregant at Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church in Philadelphia when she started Mother’s Day as a way to honor her own mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, who herself spent years supporting fellow mothers.
But as the day’s commercialization grew, Anna went on to regret her decision, even campaigning to get rid of the holiday in general because of what it had become. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Mayor Parker signed sweeping restrictions on immigration enforcement, cementing Philly’s sanctuary policies into law. [Inq$$]
• Inside PATCO’s new $19.4M control center in Lindenwold. [NBC10]
• SEPTA gives families and groups easier fare payment options by expanding multitap, adding the ability to swipe in up to five people per fare instrument at a time. [WHYY]
• Just one week after the school board approved the district’s controversial plan to close schools, Council approved a resolution to hold hearings on possibly changing the way board members are seated. [CBS3]
• West Philly tenants are fighting to preserve 925 units of affordable housing. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Pierre Robert’s house is for sale and it is architecturally striking. [Crossing Broad]
MAYOR WATCH
Today, Mayor Parker attends the 2nd annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast hosted by Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson. (9 a.m.)
Then she joins Philadelphia250 for the official launch of the “Neighborhood Jawnts” tour series spotlighting 20 Philly neighborhoods for their culture, creativity and small businesses. (10 a.m.)
Parker then joins city economic development leaders for a press conference about Bonduelle America — a food processing company based in Georgia — and its planned expansion into Philly. (11:30 a.m.)
Yesterday, Parker cut the ribbon on Meantime on Market popups and touted Market East development.
She also signed six out of seven “ICE Out” bills passed by Council, codifying sanctuary city policies and banning ICE raids on city property.
BILLY PENN GUIDES
❤️ Mother’s Day in Philly events
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
ON THE CALENDAR
🗓️ For the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar, visit BillyPenn.com!
Sketch flowers at Wyck Historic House (Saturday), an evening of art in support of recovery programs (Saturday) and a book fair(e) at the Please Touch Museum (Saturday) are just a few of the non-Mother’s Day events happening this weekend!
