Lessons from Chicago

Paul Vallas’ primary defeat of Lori Lightfoot — Paul Vallas! — holds many object lessons for mayoral candidates in Philadelphia

By Larry Platt

Ideas Mayoral Candidates Should Steal

Many of those running for mayor call themselves change agents. But 13 weeks from Election Day, where are the innovative plans that could alter the direction of the city?

By Larry Platt

Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2022: Black Thought On Art, Music and the City

Come see The Roots’ frontman and other fearless art trailblazers at The Philadelphia Citizen’s 5th annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival on December 15

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Governing Makes a Comeback

Council’s passage last week of modest business tax cuts was more than a rebuke of progressives. It also might suggest that reasonableness is trending again

By Larry Platt

The Little-Known Leader Pushing For Urgency on Gun Violence

While Mayor Kenney, DA Krasner and police commissioner Outlaw point fingers and demonstrate the Philly Shrug, State Sen. Art Haywood rejects the politics of helplessness

By Larry Platt

Your City Defined: What Is Councilmanic Prerogative?

Philadelphia’s “You scratch my back, I’ll get you that property deal” tradition

By The Philadelphia Citizen Staff

Building a Better Budget

Mayor Kenney has been an inveterate spender. So why doesn’t his newest budget proposal invest more in working class growth, like mayors are doing in cities from Newark to Dayton?

By Larry Platt

Your City Defined: Pay-to-Play

There’s stuff that’s illegal ... and then there’s everything else

By J.P. Romney