Ideas We Should Steal, Revisited

Make. Voting. Easier.

Every Election Day, we learn somethings new about Pennsylvania elections. The consistent takeaway: We should have a better way to vote

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

What the Controller’s Police Audit Didn’t Say

Rebecca Rhynhart’s detailed analysis of the department’s budget included several dozen recommendations. The most important one never got a mention

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Are We Still A Union League Town?

The elite social club plans to award Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis its highest award. What does that say about who they — and we — are?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
The Citizen Recommends

The Un-Convention

CNN anchor Michael Smerconish has joined with Bipartisan Policy Center and Unite America for a free political convention unlike any other this week in Philly

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Why Philadelphians Must Vote on November 5

Why should you cast a ballot this 2024 election? Your health, your wallet and your democracy are counting on it.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Gun Violence Solutions

Yesterday’s shooting outside a Roxborough football game is another sign that Philadelphia is failing to staunch its rampant gun violence — despite evidence about what works. Here are some ideas.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

State Seal of Civic Engagement

Outraged that less than 50 percent of Americans can name the three branches of government? California and several other states are working to literally certify good citizenship for high school grads.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

How to Recruit More (Good) Cops

An Inquirer story this week unpacked the ever-worsening Philly police officer shortage. Here, what Philly could learn from other cities on recruiting more qualified people to the job.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Generation Change Philly

The Impact Investor Evangelist

Engineer-turned-angel investor John Moore helped launch ImpactPHL with the goal of making Philly the social impact investment capital of the country. Five years later, he may be succeeding

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

“Democracy Or Not Democracy”

What the highest-stakes Pennsylvania election since the last high stakes election (i.e. that one two years ago) is really about

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy