City Council
Mayor Jim Kenney Doesn’t Care About Black People
In 2005, during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, rapper Kanye West declared on national television that “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people.” It was […]
Helen Gym and Kenyatta Johnson, Grandstand Less and Legislate More
Having grown up in the South, I’ve never forgotten a piece of wisdom from my elders: “Know your role, play your part.” In a democracy, […]
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. […]