http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa RSS Feed for Inq Pennsylvania Commentary en-us Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:13:32 GMT http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080624_Children_can.html Every year in the United States, 500 children, 5 years old and younger drown in swimming pool mishaps. Just recently, a 3-year-old Gloucester County boy was found dead in a pool. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080620_Pennsylvania_needs_new_tack_on_housing.html News of our country's crisis in housing is everywhere, from Beverly Hills to London. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080618_Redistricting_can_have_bad_impact_on_blacks_.html While much has been written and said recently about the way Pennsylvania's legislative districts are drawn, a major concern has been absent from most of the discussion: the possible impact that proposed changes could have on minority representation in the commonwealth, especially in western Pennsylvania. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080618_Developers_legislators_fight_good_standards_.html In a sluggish U.S. economy, builders and some of their allies in the New Jersey Legislature are arguing that it is now necessary to remove certain "impediments" to development in order to create more jobs and spur growth. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080618_Nursing_home_care.html In the upcoming days, Gov. Rendell and the General Assembly will negotiate the state budget. One decision that will eventually affect nearly every family is how the state funds long-term health care. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080618_St_Andrews_Church_must_be_saved_.html It will be a very black day in the history of Chester County if St. Andrews Episcopal Church, near Ludwig's Corner and built in 1833, succumbs to the wrecker ball as currently scheduled. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080618_More_parking_for_bikes_needed_in_the_city_.html Here's a suggestion for SEPTA and PATCO, whose newly found ridership is filling up parking lots ("High gas prices fuel increase in area rail ridership," June 10). Create new bicycle parking facilities at your major commuter transportation centers. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080609_Letter__Skateboard_vote.html Conshocken Borough Council will be putting the skateboard ordinance to a vote on June 18 at Borough Hall. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080610_Homeless_vets_need_more_help.html I salute Mayor Michael Nutter's plan to provide aid and hundreds of housing units for the homeless in the City of Philadelphia ("City, PHA have plan to house homeless," May 30). Many Philadelphians do not know that more than 30 percent of the homeless in our area are veterans. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080610_Letter__Charter_schools_needed_in_city.html Anthony Nannetti (letter, "Charters are a drain," May 28) says charter schools "skim from the top of the pool and get to play by a different set of rules." The Philadelphia School District fails to remove disruptive students and ignores most rules mandated by the state.