Solutions In Lieu of Taxes

Political consultant Ken Smukler has a bold plan for how universities can make the city better. Now all he has to do is convince Jim Kenney to think big

By Larry Platt

City Council To The Rescue?

Councilman Mark Squilla auctioned off nearly $2 million in city-owned land. What could go wrong?

By Larry Platt

Nice Little Parking Lot You Have There. It’d Be A Shame If Something Were To Happen To It.

There are good reasons to tax the parking industry. But Council’s latest hike smells more like political payback, Philly-style

By Larry Platt

The Danny Meyer of Homelessness

Rev. Bill Golderer is trying to turn lives around by applying the famed restaurateur’s principles of five-star hospitality. Can homelessness be defeated, Shake Shack style?

By Larry Platt
The Citizen Recommends

Connor Barwin’s Second Annual MTWB Benefit Concert

The Eagles’ All-Pro linebacker might be the city’s most engaged athlete ever. On Saturday, his indie-rock concert will raise funds for Smith Playground.

By Larry Platt

Run, Bill, Run

To be worthy of our history and maybe to make Jim Kenney a better mayor, we need an independent candidate. Who knows?  Maybe it could jumpstart real change

By Larry Platt
Ideas We Should Steal

The Cuban Literacy Campaign

More than fifty years ago, Cuba eradicated widespread illiteracy in one calendar year, and its literacy rate still leads the world. If Cuba can do it…why not Philly?

By Larry Platt
New Blood

The Empire Strikes Back

Will the new City Council represent a shift toward reform and problem-solving—or will the new boss be the same as the old boss?

By Larry Platt

The Job Interview

Something’s been missing from this mayor’s race: The questions an employer would ask a job applicant

By Larry Platt
New Blood

A Tale of Two At-Large Council Candidates

Allan Domb and Helen Gym come down to the wire

By Larry Platt