📸 SEPTA’s AI camera fines earn big bucks

Philly’s Big Push To Increase Voter Participation

Election Day may feel far away, but it’s just three months out. While the rest of us may be in vacation mode, the City Commissioners are using the summer break to increase registrations and — hopefully — turnout at the polls.

• Young Pennsylvanians aren’t registering to vote. Only 22% of 18-year-olds in the state are registered to vote, placing Pennsylvania dead last in a national study of youth voter registration rates. The Civic Center says policies that allow teens to preregister to vote can fill these gaps, but no legislative efforts have passed in the commonwealth.
• Election results shaped by low turnout. Despite Philadelphia having just over 1 million registered voters, the May primary only saw a 22.32% voter turnout. With tight races along ideological lines on the ballot, some believe that this low rate impacts the entire city.
• Philly to register voters throughout the summer. The City Commissioners’ Office is running a series of community events to register Philadelphians, assist with applying for mail-in ballots, and dispel misinformation regarding voting. Between the Ballots will run through Aug. 27.
• Pennsylvania Democrats see surge in registrants. Democrats have gained ground this year with an increase of 25,000 voters, while Republicans saw a drop of more than 4,500. As of July, Pennsylvania has 1.17 million unaffiliated voters, up by 32,000 since the beginning of the year.
• Every vote counts. Earlier this year, the City Commissioners decided to block write-in candidates from securing an elected seat if they received fewer than 10 votes. In a partial victory for the city’s Republicans, whose party members are significantly outnumbered in many of the city’s wards, a judge ruled that the four candidates who sued must be certified in their local ward committees. While it's uncertain how the ruling will impact candidates in similar circumstances, it opens the door for more lawsuits.

What Do PA Lawmakers Do During the Summer?

Harrisburg may be in summer recess, but lawmakers aren’t solely focused on soaking up the sun. The break allows legislators like State Rep. Andre Carroll, who represents several Northwest Philly neighborhoods, to focus on issues closer to home. Carroll digs into his recent legislative wins and how he’ll continue tackling prison reform and our evolving relationship with artificial intelligence. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

PPA Credits SEPTA Cameras for Reducing Violations at Certain Stops

More than $14.5 million in fines have been issued for infractions captured on the AI-powered cameras. Most violations were for stopping in the bus lane or blocking trolley stops. This increased oversight has resulted in fewer violations occurring along routes overseen by these cameras. [Axios]

• Related: SEPTA isn’t just tracking parking infractions; it’s tracking lost items. If you lost a phone or backpack on public transit, here’s how to find it. [WHYY]

Southwest Airlines Launches Flight From PHL to Baltimore

If you want to make the effort of going through TSA for the sake of a 30-minute flight, now you can. The new flights from Southwest are meant to connect travelers to their final destinations in Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean. [NBC10]

• Related: What makes an airport “perfect,” and does PHL earn that title? [🎧 Your City Could Be Better]

Lawmakers Keep Unpopular Tax Exemption for Data Centers

The exemption is estimated to cost Pennsylvania $2 billion in tax revenue. Multiple proposed regulations, including allowing municipalities to impose a moratorium on data center development, fell through. Only one proposal — requiring some centers to disclose their energy and water usage — passed. [Spotlight PA]

• Related: Shapiro has been pushing for more data center development in the state with plans to incentivize developers. But some Pennsylvanians aren’t on board. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Philly Electeds Want To Keep World Cup Energy Going

Mayor Parker is eager for more opportunities post-World Cup to bring people together and grow Philly’s status on the global stage. Congressman Brendan Boyle says the recent events were “the greatest three-month stretch for Philadelphia since 1776,” and hopes the city will host a political convention and a future World Cup. [🔒Philadelphia Tribune]

• Related: The next big event Philly’s hosting? Not the James Beard Awards. The city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau passed on the opportunity, which would have cost Philly $4 million annually to host. [🔒 Philadelphia Business Journal]