AltWeeklies Wire
Philadelphia's Soda Fee is Not as Taxing as we Thinknew
To say that Mayor Nutter’s proposed “Healthy Philadelphia Initiative” (the two-cents-per-ounce junk-drink tax) is in disarray would be charitable. City Council grows increasingly hostile toward the plan. A loophole might negate its stated health goals.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Jacob Lambert |
03-29-2010 |
Economy
Recession Diaries: Tales of Philly's Young, Educated and Underemployednew
While the less educated are getting hit the hardest, things are quickly deteriorating for the college-educated work force. Experts say that one in five college graduates say they're overqualified for their current jobs.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Daniel Denvir |
11-30-2009 |
Economy
How Slot Machines Are Secretly Designed to Seduce and Destroy Younew

Slots-only gambling parlors located in highly populated areas are precisely the model that Foxwoods and SugarHouse casinos hope to replicate in Philadelphia. Gov. Ed Rendell and others have portrayed slots as a safe medium. The opposite is true.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
01-13-2009 |
Economy
Living on Scrap: How Two Men Found Their Calling in the Garbagenew

The skyrocketing market for metal is turning into a boom for scrappers, guys who roam the streets searching for metal they can pile into their truck haul to the scrap yard for cold hard cash. Despite having led hard lives and having checkered pasts, Greg and Ron are now making an honest go of it as scrappers.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Isaiah Thompson |
08-05-2008 |
Economy
Food Prices are Going Up, but Food Stamp Allowances Aren'tnew
There hasn't been a major revision of food stamp regulations since 2002. Philadelphians on food stamps continue to wait for any action, and improvise.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Tom Namako |
05-13-2008 |
Economy
Why Has Philly Avoided the Worst of the Housing Crisis?new
After months of doom-and-gloom headlines about the U.S. housing crisis, some might assume Philadelphia's been hit just as hard as other American cities -- but Philly realtors disagree. (Of course, they can't afford not to.)
Philadelphia Weekly |
Morgan A. Zalot |
02-19-2008 |
Economy