Last week, Citizen editor Larry Platt challenged young Philadelphians in an open letter to be more than just another political interest group. This morning, one of those quoted by Platt—Nick Marzano, president of Young Involved Philadelphia—will be among a group of leaders holding a press conference at City Hall to announce the kickoff of Voter Education Week. The Influencing Action Movement and Unity in the Community will join YIP in detailing initiatives to increase voter turnout and engagement among Millennials, and will share a special presentation from Crowdpac, the innovative data site that details where politicians stand on issues, how they vote, and who gives them money. For a list of Voter Education Week events, including panel discussions and field volunteer training by the Committee of Seventy, go here.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Philadelphia chapter of New Leaders Council will host more than 200 young leaders at the Constitution Center for its first-ever Northeast Conversation, a forum to discuss issues ranging from income inequality to free speech.
They’re calling it a modern-day Constitutional Convention, a chance to follow the model set in 1787 and bring delegates from New England and the Mid-Atlantic states to Old City to kick around ways of forming a more perfect union. Comcast Executive VP David Cohen and Urban League of Philadelphia President Roz McPherson will be participating, and the keynote address will be delivered by MSNBC host Krystal Ball. Register for $10 tickets here.
Finally, many of the PACs Platt mentioned last week either came out with endorsements or issue-oriented TV ads in the last several days. The 5th Square is supporting at-large Democratic challengers Sherrie Cohen, Helen Gym, Tom Wyatt, Paul Steinke, and Republicans Terry Tracy and Matt Wolfe. They also endorsed incumbent Blondell Reynolds Brown, Ori Feibush over Kenyatta Johnson in the Second District Council race, and Jim Kenney for mayor. Philly Set Go gave Doug Oliver his first mayoral endorsement, and Philly 3.0 began its TV ad campaign with a dead-on and passionate argument for City Council term limits.
