Wednesday deluge

I guess it's an excuse to avoid the mind-blowing heat for a little longer...

• Healthcare bits
  
  
  
  • Rendell dislikes 2 bills to reduce hospital infections -- he agrees with the goal, but not with either current House or Senate bills.
    
    
  • Report details surgical errors -- low total rates, but many completely preventable.
    
    
  • Report cites a shortage of maternity beds -- if we keep reporting this, will conditions improve? How's that working for the ambulance crisis? Apparently Rendell doesn't believe there's a problem, which isn't a good sign.
    
    
  • John Baer | State Senate should approve Salk Legacy Fund -- to boost health research in the state.
  
  
• Today's crooks
  
  
  
  • Fumo team makes plea to remain his counsel -- heck, give him time to get a new law team up to speed, but it's hard to argue that these guys weren't in bed with a lot of his schemes... More on the hardship claims here.
    
    
  • Phila. contractor is indicted -- more special deals for the Big Dogs (read: Doc). More on the story here, including the letters of doom: IRS.
    
    
  • Other Fumo bits: Will sell house to pay for defense (cue violins) and Others rely on his smarts, staff, drive (continues to be a big player in Harrisburg negotiations).
  
  
• Transit tokens
  
  
  
  • SEPTA board readies for doom (cue timpani)
    
    
  • DN: HARRISBURG: GET ON TRACK -- GOOD CHANCE TO FIX STATE'S TRANSIT WOES
  
  
• Politicians
  
  
  
  • Nutter makes rounds in D.C. -- laying groundwork for "the urban agenda"
    
    
  • AAJane notes: Democratic Presidential Debate This Thursday with Tavis Smiley hosting.
    
    
  • Metro: Will budget leave next mayor in lurch?
    
    
  • (Related) New security plan in place today at City Hall
  
  
• Other!
  
  
  
  • Charter schools booming in the suburbs -- where the need is greatest??
    
    
  • Jill Porter | Lunacy: 'Premature' gun bill blocked. Next up: this week's attempt to privatize PA liquor stores...
    
    
  • PW: A West Philly-based anarchist newspaper turns 10 -- The Defenestrator.
    
    
  • PW: A new batch of volunteers signs on to keep young offenders in line. The DA's office attempts to put juvenile offenders back on track.
    
    
  • Metro: Goal to place 1,000 students for summer met (paid student internships)