Guest Commentary

A Democracy Agenda for Philadelphia

Mayoral and Council candidates must vow to strengthen our local democracy — and make sure government works for the people. Committee of Seventy’s chief policy officer lays out with what they should do

By Pat Christmas

On Next Year’s Least-Experienced City Council, Experience Counts

When you vote in the May primary and November general election, choose City Council candidates with both leadership experience and new ideas

By Jon Geeting
Ideas We Should Steal

A Better Way to Select Judges

Pennsylvania is one of eight states that elects judges through partisan elections, inviting political cronyism and incompetence into our courts. Does Missouri offer a better way?

By Jemille Q. Duncan

The Mayoral Ad Wars

Nutter and Street for Rhynhart? Domb goes after Brown? Parker and Gym, crimefighters? Plus, a Tik-Tok jokester weighs in. Get ready for an airwaves assault, Philly

By Larry Platt
Future-Ready

Policy Questions for Mayoral Candidates

The world — and our city — will transform over the next decade. What the next mayor does — or does not do — will shape the future, for better or worse.

By Anne Gemmell

Bye, Bye Fiefdoms?

Philly 3.0’s engagement director on the promise a new mayor and City Council offer: Reversing the balkanized, piecemeal approach to land development Darrell Clarke has championed.

By Jon Geeting
Guest Commentary

Mayoral Candidates, Stop the Public Education Platitudes

Voters deserve to know how the next Mayor of Philadelphia will build the new Board of Education — and, a longtime education advocate says, how they’ll hold that board accountable

By Debra Weiner

Arena? What Arena?

Former mayors Rendell and Street say the fate of a new Sixers arena should be left to the next Mayor and Council. But do the mayoral candidates want any part of it?

By Larry Platt
Guest Commentary

How will the Next Mayor Address Mental Illness?

Local mental health advocates call on mayoral candidates to address the underlying issue that affects, crime, drugs, homelessness and growth

By Marc Pomper and Elizabeth Sinclair Hancq

Who is Running for City Council in the May 2023 Primary?

We’ve got your list of incumbents and challengers for Philadelphia City Council right here.

By The Philadelphia Citizen Staff