– The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has endorsed David Wecht, Christine Donohue, and Kevin Dougherty – the first three candidates on the Democratic ballot.

A fair and representative Supreme Court is our last line of defense against legislative overreach that might threaten workers’ rights, civil rights, or voting rights in PA. It is also our only chance to restore fairness to our election districts, so that anti-union lawmakers may finally be held accountable to the voters. This is the first time in over 300 years that there have been three seats up for election on the Supreme Court at one time. This unprecedented election gives voters the opportunity to shift control of the Court for decades to come, but we need the strongest candidates on the ballot in November to make that happen. That is why The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has endorsed three judges who are strong candidates, and champions for working Pennsylvanians. Wecht, Donohue, and Dougherty have also all been recommended by the PA Bar Association.

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has also endorsed Robert Colville for Superior Court, and Todd Eagen for Commonwealth Court.

Polls are open today until 8:00pm – if you are unsure of where to vote, please visit www.votespa.com to find your polling place.

Source – http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5966

By The PA. AFL-CIO

– Governor Tom Wolf outlined the details of his budget proposal, answered questions, and asked for our help and support in getting it passed by the Legislature. He thanked President Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer Snyder and the over 8,000 participants who joined the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Telephone Town Hall Conference call last evening covering both rural and urban areas of Pennsylvania. The Governor’s only regret was not enough time to answer the dozens and dozens of questions that were being called in from all over the state by union members.

In his closing remarks the Governor said, “I’m doing this for a brighter future for Pennsylvania. We are trying to make Pennsylvania a better place to live, to work and to raise a family, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but it is also the smart thing to do for us and our children.”

President Bloomingdale said, “So much of what the Governor is trying to do is in our best interests. It is refreshing to have a governor that listens to workers. We have a lot of work to do from now until this budget is passed and it is going to take all of us – our action and our support – to get the job done.”

Secretary-Treasurer Snyder, who moderated the telecast, also expressed his appreciation for the Governor’s participation. He thanked Governor Wolf for being “a different kind of Governor with a different kind of budget – a balanced budget, he emphasized, with both Republican and Democratic ideas that are good for Pennsylvania,” Snyder said.

A toolkit containing materials to help workers discuss the budget with family, co-workers and their legislators is being mailed to hundreds of tele-town hall participants, who volunteered to take action. Toolkits are available upon request.

Source – http://www.paaflcio.org/?p=5973

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, Associated Press

– Railroad unions are urging Amtrak to put a second crew member in locomotives in the wake of a deadly derailment last week in Philadelphia.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and SMART Transportation say an engineer and an additional crew member would serve as a check and balance on each other.

Engineer Brandon Bostian was alone in the locomotive of Train 188 when it derailed May 12, killing eight people and injuring about 200.

Investigators are looking into why the train was going more than double the 50 mph limit around a sharp curve.

The unions say Amtrak hasn’t had a second crew member in the cab of Northeast Corridor trains since 1983, after Congress ended the requirement.

Also Tuesday, a lawyer for the lead conductor on the train says his client suffered a broken neck and broken back.

Source – http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/82132-unions-urge-amtrak-to-put-2nd-crew-member-in-locomotives-

By Joel Mathis

– If you’re a longtime Philadelphian, you might already think you know where to vote — the same place you did in the last election, and the election before that. But it’s always wise to check beforehand if that’s really the case: Polling places can move between elections, leaving voters confused and lost — and without a second chance to make your voice heard.

For folks online, probably the easiest way to determine your polling place is to go to the voting app at the Office of Philadelphia City Commissioners website at: http://www.philadelphiavotes.com/index.php?option=com_voterapp&tmpl=component and Enter your street address and you’ll be shown a map depicting your voting precinct and the precise location of your polling place. A column on the left-hand side of the page should also name the location and its address, and let you know whether it’s accessible to people with disabilities. The graphic above shows what, roughly, your map should look like.

(All this, of course, assumes you’re registered to vote.)

You can also find your polling place by getting in contact with either of the two offices listed below:

Philadelphia Voter Registration Office
520 N. Columbus Blvd., 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-686-1590

Or:

Philadelphia County Board of Elections
City Hall, Room 142
1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-686-3469

And if you still have problems: Call the Committee of Seventy’s election hotline at 1-855-SEVENTY.

Source: http://www.phillymag.com/citified/2015/05/18/where-to-vote/

– Mayor of Philadelphia: Jim Kenney

City Council Districts:
1 – Mark Squilla
2 – Kenyatta Johnson
3 – Jannie Blackwell
4 – Curtis Jones Jr
5 – Darrell Clarke
6 – Bobby Henon
7 – Maria Quinones Sanchez
8 – Cindy Bass
9 – Cherelle Parker
10 – Brian O’Neill

City Council At-Large:
Democratic Primary:
Ed Neilson
W. Wilson Goode, Jr
William Greenlee
Isaiah Thomas
Blondell Reynolds Brown

Republican Primary: Dan Tinney

City Commissioner: Lisa Deeley

Registrar of Wills: Ron Donatucci

Sheriff: Jewell Williams

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The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO endorses the following judicial candidates for the Primary Election:

PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT

Judge Kevin Dougherty, (D)
Judge David Wecht, (D)
Judge Christine Donohue, (D)

SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Judge Robert J. Colville, (D)

COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Todd Eagan, (D)