Guest Commentary

“Rescue” Food. Feed People.

A citywide pilot used nearly 3,000 meals headed to the landfill to feed over 700 needy families in Philadelphia. A sustainable business leader and City Councilperson want to make it permanent

By Devi Ramkissoon and Jamie Gauthier

How To Up Your Election Day Game

It's Election Day, Philadelphia! Clearly, you’re going to vote. There is still more you can do

By Lauren McCutcheon and Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Guest Commentary

Council, Do Your Homework on Housing Prices

A Temple University law professor warns about the potential dangers of City Council’s plan to ban pricing software landlords use to set rents in Philadelphia

By Salil K. Mehra

Could Philly Become a City of Eds, Meds, Beds and … Gaming?

City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas and a local video game entrepreneur have teamed up on Philadelphia's second annual PHL Gaming Conference and Expo, an event The Citizen Recommends

By Christina Griffith
Mystery Shopper

Does City Council Answer Residents, Like, Literally?

Our Gen Z Mystery Shopper reached out to each member of Philadelphia City Council via email and phone to ask what they are doing about climate change. Here’s what happened

By Citizen Mystery Shopper
The Fix

How to Really End the Reign of Johnny Doc

Labor leader and convicted felon John Dougherty has been sentenced to prison, but the corrupt culture he dominated still lives, abetted by a judge’s soft sentences, an ethically blind Councilmember, and a shrugging citizenry.

By Larry Platt

The Reparations Trap

City Council’s task force faces a daunting task: How do you close our opportunity and wealth gaps without alienating key parts of a fragile coalition? Devin Cotten's Cleveland pilot might have an answer

By Larry Platt
The New Urban Order

Should City Workers Work in the Office?

Mayor Parker is mandating all city employees work in person starting next month. City Council is pushing back. Is government ever going to be ready to return to office?

By Diana Lind
Ideas We Should Steal

Streetery Regulations That Actually Work

Unlike Philly — where only 13 restaurants have legal curbside dining — both New York City and Pittsburgh have made it easier to erect streeteries. Here’s what Philadelphia officials are — and can be — doing to bring back the fun

By Courtney DuChene

Did Voters Make Neighborhood Development Better?

The ballot measure Philadelphians passed last month could be the start of needed reforms to the role community groups play in creating more housing for more people

By Malcolm Burnley