Why Pa. still has no budget | Morning Newsletter

Welcome to fall, Philly, and to the Jordan Davis fan club.

Pennsylvania’s state budget is nearly three months late. Leaders still can’t agree on the basics.

And Temple University police are providing training on swatting incidents. The goal is to be proactive following a spate of fake calls at colleges this year.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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When SEPTA’s doomsday spiral was halted by a late transfer of capital funds earlier this month, one big sticking point was unstuck from this cycle of state budget negotiations. Yet Pennsylvania still doesn’t have a budget, nearly three full months past its deadline to implement one.

Why? The state’s legislative leaders can’t agree on how much money they should spend.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal would spend $51.5 billion, about $5 billion more than the state is expected to bring in this fiscal year. Republicans, who control the Senate, want the state to spend more conservatively to avoid a long-term deficit.

They have also rejected the governor’s proposals for additional revenue sources — though as of Friday, taxing skill games could be back on the table.

State politics reporter Gillian McGoldrick explains.

In other Pennsylvania news: Shapiro said in an interview that aired Sunday that he had warned former President Joe Biden last year about his dwindling chances of being reelected, based on what he was seeing in his crucial swing state.

Colleges around the country have been subject to a spate of fake threat calls this school year. While North Philadelphia’s Temple University has not been hit with any swatting attempts, its campus safety team is being proactive.

Dispatchers, police officers, and administrative staff are learning the signs that might indicate a false call and how best to respond.

Campus police still respond to every call as if it’s real until they definitively determine it’s not, Temple’s vice president for public safety told The Inquirer. But the new training teaches first responders how to recognize suspicious behavior that might indicate a hoax, such as a disguised phone number or only one caller instead of several.

Other local schools are following suit, including Villanova University, where a false report of an active shooter caused chaos during orientation week.

Higher education reporter Susan Snyder has the details on Temple’s training.

Spooky season is upon us. Since it was founded in 2024, Girls Like Horror has been hosting screenings and other events in a bid to counter the myth that horror is a male-dominated space.

Former Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins retired from the NFL in 2022, but he was back at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday in what role?

A) Playing for the Rams

B) Sideline reporter

C) Coaching the Eagles

D) Sideline photographer

Think you know? Check your answer.

🏛️ Matching: The famous Philly building to its architect.

🟡 Trying to buy: Downingtown’s bright yellow fire engine from 1998.

📺 Spotting: Local spots such as Ralph’s and Llanerch Diner in Task, Episode 3.

⚪ Color drenching: Our rooms, inspired by these area homeowners.

🏳️‍🌈 Amazed by: The round-the-block line to get into Marsha’s, Philly’s first women’s sports bar, on opening night.

Hint: _ _ Bank of Philadelphia

DEFERRERS LEAVE

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

Cheers to John Rybak, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Hispanic Heritage Month. Inquirer columnist Sabrina Vourvoulias reflects on why she finds it harder than usual to celebrate Hispanic and Latino culture this year.

A group of local women met at Pier 53 alongside the Delaware River for a “community scream” on Sunday. Motherhood, climate change, and federal job cuts were among the stressors that inspired their screams.

Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Mark Schenker, who describes a melodic reminder of a bygone era:

After I reluctantly moved to Philly in 1976 to attend Temple University, I got a girlfriend who lived near 45th and Walnut Streets. One summer evening, sitting in her living room, I thought I heard some music in the street. I stuck my head out the window and saw four guys standing under a street lamp, harmonizing some doo-wop classics.

I’d heard of this kind of thing but didn’t think it still existed. I was immediately transported to my 1950s musical images of Philly: Fabian Forte sitting on his front step in South Philly waiting to be discovered, trying to imitate the kids dancing on American Bandstand, “South Street” by the Orlons, and guys singing on street corners.

The image of those four guys on the corner is still vivid in my mind, even though the girlfriend is a faded memory. I’m still here.

Here’s to hanging in there for the long run. See ya tomorrow.

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