PhillyInc

A plan to close FDA labs in seven cities, including Philadelphia, and consolidate operations elsewhere is now facing opposition in Congress from a union representing the federal employees, backed by Sen. Arlen Specter. The Inquirer reported briefly on the planned action in February. An updated story is here. In Philly, it comes down to about 25 jobs, and does not affect a number of others here. This looked like a sleeper issue until the pet-food contamination debacle. What's the issue now? Doing what's best for safety, or for local jobs? The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority has pushed Specter (download its letter) to save the labs.
- Thomas Ginsberg