And What Does a State Treasurer Do?

Pennsylvania’s elected CFO manages the sixth largest economy in the U.S — and a few other things. See who's on the ballot this election season. The next in our Your City (and Commonwealth) Defined series.

By J.P. Romney

What Even Is an Auditor General?

The state’s chief fiscal watchdog is on the ballot in November. Here’s why that matters, the next in our Your City (Commonwealth) Defined series

By J.P. Romney
Your City Defined

The City Budget

Mayor Parker kicked off budget season with her $6 billion budget proposal to City Council. Here’s what that means, and what happens now

By J.P. Romney
Your City Defined

Philadelphia City Commissioners

The elected trio is responsible for running all elections in Philly, from registering voters to counting the votes.

By Lauren McCutcheon
Your City Defined

Sunshine Act

The 1957 state law requires elected bodies to hold all meetings in public, so the public knows what their government is doing. That is … a nice idea, isn’t it?

By J.P. Romney
Your City Defined

The Mummers Parade

A history lesson, including some scholarly conjecture, about Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day … phenomenon

By J.P. Romney
Your City Defined

Register of Wills

What a RoW does, what Orphans’ Court is, and what Tracey Gordon, currently in the role, may have done to help herself out of a job

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
Your City Defined

Home Rule Charter

The City of Philadelphia's constitution is a growing framework of both commonsense and potentially outdated laws.

By Lauren McCutcheon
Your City Defined

Booing Santa Claus

It's a stain on Philly fans' reputation. But what's the real story?

By Larry Platt