City Council
Kenney Must Do More Than “Acknowledge” Philly’s Gun-Violence Emergency
A lot was made of Mayor Jim Kenney’s meeting with anti-gun-violence hunger striker Jamal Johnson this past Friday, and I’m still wondering why. The scene […]
Philadelphia’s Homicide Rate Hit a Record High. Now Can We Get Serious About Defunding Police?
At the start of a new year in Philly, I’ve come to expect two initial headaches: the Mummers doing something stupid, and another disappointing annual […]
Dear Bob Brady: Your Time Is Up
A roundup of Philly news. This post may be updated at any time as new information becomes available. Ward Leader Demands Bob Brady’s Immediate Resignation […]
Now That Frank Rizzo Is Gone, Maybe It’s Time to Talk About Those Christopher Columbus Statues
A roundup of Philly news. This post may be updated at any time as new information becomes available. First Frank Rizzo. Are Those Christopher Columbus […]
Here’s the List of Demands Most of City Council Just Gave to Kenney for Philly Police Reform
A roundup of Philly news. This post may be updated at any time as new information becomes available. 14 City Council Members Send List of […]
Philly’s Freshman Four: Institutional Disregard for Black Lives Has Inflicted New Wounds and Reopened Old Ones
Freddie Gray, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and George Floyd. Tragic deaths of countless Black Americans at the hands of police have occurred with […]
Now Is the Time for Penn and Philly’s Other Big-Money Nonprofits to Pay PILOTs
When enjoying the classic card game of spades, most players wait until the very end of a round to play their most competitive hand. Those […]
If Philadelphia Can’t Apologize for the MOVE Bombing 35 Years Later, How Progressive Are We?
On May 13, 1985, 11 people, including five children, were killed during a city-authorized bombing and burning of a black neighborhood in West Philadelphia. The state-sanctioned […]
Just How “Painful” Is Jim Kenney’s Post-Coronavirus Budget? Here Are 5 Big Takeaways
Early last week, City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart warned that the coronavirus pandemic could put a $650 million hole in Philadelphia’s budget. By that time, Mayor […]
Coronavirus Could Put a $650 Million Hole in Philly’s Budget. Here Are Four Takeaways
The past decade has been a good time to be a public official who likes spending taxpayer dollars. This is because there have been lots […]
Once the Quarantine Is Over, I’m Over These Philly Institutions
As we prepare to enter yet another month of self-quarantine that shows no sign of quickly ending, things are beginning to get ugly. This is […]
Want to Reduce Political Corruption in Philly? End Councilmanic Prerogative Now.
The rule of law is to presume those who are criminally indicted innocent until proven guilty. Such a presumption should absolutely be extended to City […]
The Utterly Ridiculous History of Lawbreaking (and Allegedly Lawbreaking) Philly Politicians
‘Twas more than a century ago that muckraking investigative journalist Lincoln Steffens wrote about Philadelphia in a series of articles detailing corruption in U.S. cities. […]
Philly Needs More Surveillance Cameras. Now.
Of all the life-changing revelations I’ve experienced since becoming a parent (translation: someone whose date nights routinely revolve around streaming television), one of the greatest […]
City Council’s Kendra Brooks on the Big Change She’d Like to See at City Hall
My full name is … Kendra Nicole Brooks. I was named after Angela Davis’s friend Kendra, who was mentioned in the New York Times in […]