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

How To Up Your Election Day Game

November 5, 2024 Election Day in Philadelphia. Clearly, you’re going to vote. There is still more you can do

By Lauren McCutcheon and Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

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

Your City Defined The City Budget

Mayor Parker kicked off budget season with her $6 billion budget proposal to City Council. Here’s what that means, and what happens now

By J.P. Romney