Your City Defined: 311

City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas recently introduced a bill to pay Philadelphians for filing complaints. Which led us to wonder: Just what is 311 all about?

By J.P. Romney

Your City Defined: Philly’s Weirdest Sports Superstitions

Wanna win another World Series or Super Bowl, Philadelphia? Don’t plan a parade, build a William Penn-less skyscraper, or turn the economy around

By J.P. Romney

Ideas We Should Steal: Public Toilets

Sometimes, you really, really need to go. That’s why Philly is looking to Portland to adopt a successful model of free public bathrooms.

By J.P. Romney

Your City Defined: Pay-to-Play

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

By J.P. Romney

What is the Ward System in Philly?

How the city’s bizarro electoral system influences how you vote

By J.P. Romney

Your City Defined: Sheriff’s Office

Here’s a breakdown—and a little history—about the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office

By J.P. Romney

CitizenCast: Your City Defined— The Office of Property Assessment

How does the assessment process work? A look at the history of the OPA.

By J.P. Romney

CitizenCast: Your City Defined—Street Sweeping

As it turns out, the moniker "Filthadelphia" stretches all the way back to the 1900s. CitizenCast takes a look back at our storied history of keeping—or not—Philadelphia streets clean

By J.P. Romney