Ideas We Should Steal

Pay-It-Forward, Philly

A no-nonsense website lets Istanbul residents aid their neighbors with life essentials in times of crisis, no questions asked. What could this simple solution do for Philadelphians?

By Courtney DuChene
Ideas We Should Steal

Fight Food Insecurity With Free Hot Meals

Should PA become the tenth state to opt into the Restaurant Meals Program, offering SNAP beneficiaries access to pre-cooked food?

By Cristian Salazar
Ideas We Should Steal

A One-Stop Shop for Addiction Recovery

“Health hubs” in Washington state are dramatically reducing opioid addiction among patients. Could a similar model work in Philly and around the country?

By Sammy Caiola
Ideas We Should Steal

Draft Poll Workers Like We Do Juries

Almost every election Philadelphia struggles to recruit enough people to operate our polling stations, which puts our democracy at risk. What if we made like Nebraska, and … drafted them instead?

By Courtney DuChene

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of … Less Work?

A 32-hour workweek could become a calling card for Philly, boost the economy, and improve mental health, says the founder of 4 Day Philly

By Malcolm Burnley
RECAP

What Ideas Are We Going To Steal?

Problem solvers from around the country shared ideas for (re)building a more perfect union at The Citizen’s 7th annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival

By Malcolm Burnley and Lauren McCutcheon
Ideas We Should Steal

More Worker-Owned Businesses

How about a workplace where you share the wealth with your co-workers — including your boss? Pittsburgh, Boston and other cities are helping local businesses become employee-owned, with benefits for all

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Fix the Damn Potholes … with AI

Vialytics is user-friendly software that quickly identifies and maps potholes, sinkholes and other roadway problems. Could the app fix Philly streets — or would our City simply run a pilot and then throw it away?

By Courtney DuChene
Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2024

Could Universal Basic Income Close Philly’s Wage Gap?

Devin Cotten, the innovator behind a Cleveland jobs guarantee pilot that will pay $50,000 per year, will talk about how it works at our annual event on November 15

By Lauren McCutcheon
Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2024

Debra Winger on Overturning Citizens United

Wondering what the actor has been up to lately? Find out about her political activism at The Citizen’s Ideas We Should Steal Festival on November 15

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy