Law Center in the News: Philadelphians stand up to nuisance auto body shops |
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The rear of Ramona and Rodney Bell’s and Marceline Dix’s homes share an alley with a sprawling auto body business in the middle of their dense Southwest Philadelphia residential neighborhood. The shop litters their neighborhood, their shared alley, and even their backyards with junked cars, trash, tires, oil cans and debris. Occasionally, City enforcement has brought temporary relief, but disruptive, unsafe, and illegal practices inevitably resume.
On April 26, the Bells and Ms. Dix sued the property owners and White’s Autobody in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, alleging that the shop has created a private and public nuisance and trespassed on their property. They are represented by the Public Interest Law Center and pro bono co-counsel from Hausfeld LLP.
On April 28, the Philadelphia Inquirer covered the case. “Fundamentally, this case is about a kind of neighboring property, in this case, an auto body business, that takes [away] our clients’ ability to be in their backyard, to open their windows, to live in an area that is clean of debris and trash,” said Law Center staff attorney Sari Bernstein.
WHYY reported on the case and how the city might more effectively address nuisance auto body shops on May 2. "Bernstein, with the Public Interest Law Center, said the city should consider the amount of industry already present in residential neighborhoods when issuing new licenses and permits," reporter Sophia Schmidt wrote. "Russel Zerbo, the advocate with Clean Air Council, would like to see more money budgeted to L&I to hire additional inspectors and a greater emphasis on issuing and enforcing cease operations orders."
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“It is important to us,” our client Marceline Dix said. “We want our neighborhoods to be beautiful.”
As we have since 2021, we continue to learn more about this persistent issue from residents of Southwest Philadelphia, distributing surveys and holding community meetings.
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School funding update: Basic Education Funding Commission tasked with building a fair system |
BEF Commission Co-Chair Rep. Mike Sturla speaking during the May 10 reorganizational meeting
Commonwealth Court's February 7 decision in our school funding case was crystal clear: now is the time to build a public school funding system that ensures that children in every community have the resources they need to succeed civically, academically, and socially. State lawmakers are beginning this important work through the Basic Education Funding Commission—a bipartisan panel of legislators and Pennsylvania Department of Education officials.
On May 10, 2023, the BEF Commission reconvened for the first time since 2015. And as Commission Chair Rep. Mike Sturla made clear, this Commission must craft a new funding system that addresses the court’s decision. “This is the time to get it right, not just because it is our constitutional charge—something we’re sworn to uphold—but because we cannot continue to fail future generations of Pennsylvanians,” he said. “No doubt, if we fail again, the court will do our job for us.”
The commission will meet again on June 7, and is expected to hold hearings across Pennsylvania throughout the summer and issue its recommendations to the General Assembly and the governor this fall. We will be watching closely to ensure that the Commission’s recommendation, and our elected leaders’ response, truly addresses the injustice of our current two-tiered school funding status quo.
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Two gun safety measures pass the PA House of Representatives; appear stalled in the Senate |
On May 22, 2023, for the first time in over a decade, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed statewide gun safety legislation: a bill closing a "gun show loophole" that allows long guns to be privately purchased without a background check, and a bill providing for Emergency Risk Protection Orders that allow family members and others to petition courts to restrict access to guns for people who may harm themselves or others. Both passed with bipartisan support.
Our client and partner, CeaseFirePA, released a statement on the bills. "The historic move marks a dramatic step forward for gun violence prevention policy change in the PA House, which for over a decade has obstructed broadly popular and evidence-based policies that would make our communities safer," they wrote. "Now, that is finally starting to change."
The bills are now headed to the Pennsylvania State Senate, where it appears passage is unlikely at this time. For years, the General Assembly has prevented gun safety measures like these from even receiving a fair hearing--all while firearm preemption laws block local municipalities from passing most local laws. We're seeking to change this status quo. With co counsel from Hogan Lovells, we we filed a lawsuit alongside the City of Philadelphia challenging Pennsylvania's firearm preemption laws, representing CeaseFirePA and residents of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh who have lost loved ones to gun violence.
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Save the date! Our annual event will be held September 20, at the Fairmount Water Works |
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Mark your calendars! Join us to celebrate and support our work at the Fairmount Water Works on September 20 for our annual celebration! More information about entertainment, and tickets coming soon. Spread the word on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn!
We're thrilled to announce our honorees for this years' Thaddeus Stevens Awards: those who stand with us to take on gun violence by clearing the roadblocks for local action. We will recognize the people who made our case against firearm preemption possible: our clients, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh residents who have lost loved ones to gun violence; our pro bono counsel Hogan Lovells; and Nancy Bregstein Gordon, founder of CeaseFirePA.
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Our client Stanley Crawford (right) |
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We could not do this without you |
None of our work would be possible without steadfast supporters like you.
"Much as we wish for it, our work is not yet done. We continue the fight to protect public education, and we still need your support." Your donation this spring will help us make sure the constitutional promise to Pennsylvania's children, affirmed by the court's decision, becomes a reality.
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Welcome our new grants and development specialist, Cody Beck! |
We're so excited to welcome Cody Beck to our team as our new grants and development specialist!
In this role, they will manage a portfolio of 50 foundations and donor advised funds and help us develop additional support for our work. Prior to joining the Law Center, Cody served as a grant program office with Chicago Sinfonietta, a nationally-recognized orchestra.
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Welcome our new executive administrative assistant, Grace Snyder! |
We're so excited to welcome Grace Snyder to our team as our new executive administrative assistant!
In this role, they will work with all Law Center staff to support the day-to-day operations of the office. Prior to joining the Law Center, Grace served as an administrator with the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage in Philadelphia and is a longtime volunteer and consultant in Philadelphia’s arts community.
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