Morning Briefing

Mayor Nutter spent yesterday in Harrisburg, asking lawmakers to extend the tax breaks offered by the University City Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone for another seven years. Nutter is hoping to attract the BlackRoxk investment management firm into a second Cira Centre tower which is slated to be built across from 30th Street station. The state senate, meanwhile, passed a statewide smoking ban. Unlike earlier versions of the bill, the one passed yesterday will not superscede Philadelphia's tougher anti-smoking bill.

As expected, a City Council committee signed off on an administration-backed plan to eliminate the Fairmount Park Commission and turn managemnent of the park over to the city Recreation Department. A full council vote is also necessary, but it seems all but assured at this point. Voters will have their say on the matter in a referendum this fall.

Lastly, PhillyClout confirmed an AP report that the city is once again engaged in last-minute talks to save the citywide wi-fi system. We'll see where those lead...