May 24: Charter leaders join funding request | SEPTA fare increase, delayed budget votes | US Conference of Mayors | Lower Lancaster Ave Revitalization Plan | Census shows Philly’s growth

Good morning Eyes on the Street! Here’s one last news roundup before you head out for the long weekend.

Leaders from more than 20 charter schools have joined the Philadelphia School District in asking for more state and city aid to help fill the district’s $304 million funding shortfall. Supporters call the move a historic step toward improved cooperation. 

The SEPTA board approved a modified fare increase but deferred votes on the capital and operating budgets. As PlanPhilly reported before, fares will increase on July 1. However, SEPTA has increased the proposed monthly and weekly pass limits and frozen the cost of paratransit and CCT service at $4. SEPTA hopes state lawmakers will reach an agreement about the state transportation funding package before it votes on the capital and operating budgets. 

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is talking tech as it continues into the second and final day of the 2013 Mayors’ Innovation Summit today. Hosted by Mayor Nutter, this two-day conference is exploring how technology can make our cities better. So far participants have explored open data initiatives and, among other things, how open data can “be about more than just sunlight.” Newsworks has more

The People’s Emergency Center (PEC) released the final version of its “Make Your Mark!” Lower Lancaster Revitalization Plan at Hawthorne Hall Thursday. Years in the making, the plan looks at ways to improve Lancaster Ave from 37th to 48th streets and the surrounding Mantua, West Powelton and Saunders Park neighborhoods. Thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, PEC is ready to put this plan in action. 

New Census data shows Philly’s size is on the rise. The city grew by 9,040 residents from July 2011 to July 2012, but from 2010 through 2012, the population grew by almost 20,000, or 1.3 percent. This data marks an upward turn in the city’s growth and holds the city’s spot as fifth most populace city in the country. 

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest. Have a tip? Send it along.  |  Follow us on Twitter @EOTSPhilly. Like us on Facebook.

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