Unpacking Trump’s State of the Union Address

A former Bucks County Congressman parses President Trump’s spin.

By Patrick J. Murphy
Citizen Must Reads

Your Weekly Guide to Surviving the News

Taxing the rich, spending less on food, an EPA red herring, Jesse Jackson’s fashion statements and more smart stories that explain what happened this week

By Lauren McCutcheon

Hey Philly! Let’s Hire a Congressperson

Help us write a job description for the candidates vying to replace Philadelphia’s U.S. Representative Dwight Evans — and then join us to help interview them for the job

By Courtney DuChene
Citizen Must Reads

Your Weekly Guide to Surviving the News

Minnesota proving MAGA wrong, governing by clickbait, the meaning of the Epstein files, free TV for all and more smart stories that explain what happened this week

By The Philadelphia Citizen Staff
Guest Commentary

What PA’s Double Budget Crisis Means for Us

When a federal government shutdown coincides with an unapproved state budget, the hardest hit will be the Pennsylvanians who need help the most

By Daniel J. Mallinson

The Key To PA’s Power in D.C.?

The state is on track to lose another Congressional seat in 2030 if we don’t stanch our population drain. Could the solution be … more housing?

By Jon Geeting
Listen

Ali Velshi on John McCain’s Lessons for the Government Shutdown

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member recounts how the late U.S. Senator from Arizona stood for regular order in 2017, and how his example applies to our government shutdown today

By Ali Velshi
Guest Commentary

Who Suffers When Both PA and D.C. Grind to a Halt?

It’s not legislators, anyway. A local political consultant weighs in on our twin crises, and how we can hold electeds accountable.

By Mustafa Rashed
Listen

Ali Velshi, “And The People Won.”

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member explains how media consolidation led to Jimmy Kimmel's suspension — and how ordinary Americans used the tools of democracy to fight for freedom of speech

By Ali Velshi

In College Admissions, Bullies Win

A longtime university president urges the College Board to restore a tool that helped universities like Swarthmore and Haverford admit more low-income students

By Elaine Maimon