Who is Nicolas O’Rourke?

The freshman At-Large member of Philadelphia City Council is a member of the progressive Working Families Party — and a minister by trade. He’s giving the progressive response to President Biden’s State of the Union on March 7

By The Philadelphia Citizen Staff

Really? Republicans Are Philly’s Biggest Problem?

Amid the handwringing over the Council campaigns of Working Families Party candidates Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke, few have asked them: What’s the political rationale for their insurgency?

By Larry Platt

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

Elections Office Drama

City Commissioners Lisa Deeley and Seth Bluestein may be at risk of losing their jobs in the 2023 election, Philly 3.0’s engagement director observes. That could have consequences for the all-important 2024 presidential race

By Jon Geeting

The Price of City Council’s National Politics

Councilmembers’ attempts to legislate national politics distract them from the local issues only they can solve. They should do better.

By Jemille Q. Duncan

Governing Makes a Comeback

Council’s passage last week of modest business tax cuts was more than a rebuke of progressives. It also might suggest that reasonableness is trending again

By Larry Platt

Do We Need a Wealth Tax?

Councilmembers Kendra Brooks, Helen Gym and Jamie Gauthier, with an assist from Senator Elizabeth Warren, have proposed a drastic taxing of the rich in Philly. But are they unwittingly harming the middle class?

By Larry Platt

“It’s Just About Doing the Right Thing”

Philly’s Democratic Socialists tried to upend the appointment of democracy-saving Republican Seth Bluestein to city commissioner. But two local pols demonstrated the real progressive ideals we need from our leaders.

By Larry Platt

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

What’s the one thing few leaders are talking about as we secure a $2.7 billion windfall? Growing jobs. Is there a plan for that?

By Larry Platt

The Fix: Let The Sun Shine

The indictment of Councilman Kenyatta Johnson is just the latest example of Philly’s most pressing political problem: Transactionalism

By Larry Platt