📖 The one book Philly’s talking about

Candidates Split on Legislation (and Cheesesteaks) at Congressional Candidate Forum

As the May primary for the 3rd Congressional District draws closer, tensions are rising between the Democrats vying for U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans’ seat. At a forum this week, Dr. Ala Stanford questioned whether state Sen. Sharif Street had ever “delivered” something substantial for constituents, while Street and state Rep. Chris Rabb verbally sparred over hate-crime legislation. [🔒 The Inquirer]

The Guerrilla Campaign To Make Philly Fully Bloom

It’s almost time to tend to your garden beds, so why not add native plants this year? Skype a Scientist’s Sarah McAnulty is trying to increase biodiversity in the city through street art that has free seeds attached to it. She hopes to encourage seed bombing to support butterflies, moths, and bees. [Billy Penn]

• Related: Want to interact with more of McAnulty’s work? Text this number to get squid facts. [City Cast Philly]

PECO’s Earnings Doubled in a Year That Cost Consumers

After the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a 10% rate hike at the end of 2024, PECO’s earnings jumped from $551 million to $814 million. While PECO stresses the need to invest in safe and reliable infrastructure, Gov. Shapiro wants transparency from utility companies and to keep costs reasonable. [WHYY]

• Related: Utility costs could rise if Pennsylvania’s AI data center boom continues. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

PA Senate Scrutinizes Shapiro’s Home Security Expenses

The cost of Gov. Shapiro’s security upgrades at his suburban Philly home has raised ethical questions, but it’s the cost of improvements both there and at the gubernatorial mansion – $40 million in all – that led to the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing this week. The work was said to have all been security-related and came in the wake of the assassination attempt on the governor last year. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 Penn Live]

📣 Here’s a shoutout from City Cast Philly Neighbor Brian A.: “Lutheran Settlement House is a beacon of compassion in Fishtown, providing food access, shelter, DV support, and senior services for over 120 years!”