City Council
Why Philly’s Special Election Matters
In a special election on August 11th, a small sliver of voters will choose Philadelphia’s three newest representatives in the state House. The winners are virtually predetermined, […]
Will Bill Green and Sam Katz Team Up for Surprise City Council Run?
Bill Green and Sam Katz — two of the city’s most capable and pugnacious political pot-stirrers — are considering running for City Council at-large as a two-man slate […]
Finally, Someone Explained Councilmanic Prerogative
WTF is Councilmanic prerogative? That’s a question that has been asked by countless journalists, developers, political junkies and people trying to buy city-owned property in Philadelphia […]
Philly Teachers Union Fined Over Campaign Finance Violation
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has been hit with a $1,500 fine for making an excess campaign donation to education firebrand and Democratic City Council […]
Did Philly’s Biggest Dark Money Group Break the Law?
1. The dark money outfit Philadelphia 3.0 may have violated city law — and been a flop. The gist: A new, intriguing organization sprung up this year that was aimed […]
How Johnny Doc Almost Took Out Maria Quiñones-Sánchez
How in the world did an allegedly gay-hating, voter ID-loving racist who no one has ever heard of nearly beat an incumbent Democratic Councilwoman who […]
Philly Is Getting an 8.5% Airbnb Tax
Airbnb is about to get a lot less laissez-faire in Philadelphia. City Council passed a bill, 15-0, Thursday, which is expected to be signed into […]
No New Prison for Philly (for Now)
It’s official: Councilman Bobby Henon’s bill that would have paved the way for a new prison in Philadelphia is dead for the season.
The Brief: Mayor Darrell Clarke Launches Big, Bold Affordable Housing Plan
(Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information from Clarke spokeswoman Jane Roh.) Mayor City Council President Darrell Clarke launches 2,000 unit affordable […]
The Brief: 130-Year-Old Water Main Bursts in West Philly, Eats Cars
1. A water main ruptured in West Philly, wrecking homes and swallowing up cars. The gist: As you can imagine, the water main break on Sunday in West Philadelphia […]
How the Beverage Lobby Quietly Killed the Soda Tax in Philly, Again
Much in the same way that the best lawyers kill lawsuits before they ever make it to trial, the best lobbyists kill legislation before it is […]
Insider: How to Stop the Annual School District Vs. City Council Smackdowns
(Editor’s note: This is an opinion column from a Citified insider.) This is school advocates’ most dreaded time of the year: city budget season. If there’s […]
Philly Lawmakers Put Off Vote to Spend $7M on Land for New Prison
For the third time this year, Councilman Bobby Henon held a bill Thursday that would allow the city to spend more than $7 million to buy land […]
The Brief: Millennials Didn’t Vote This Year, Like At All
1. Voter turnout among millennials was abysmal in the mayoral election. The gist: Only 12 percent of registered voters between the ages of 18 and 34 cast a ballot […]
School District Says Council’s Funding Plan Falls Short
[Updated] A Philadelphia City Council committee gave a preliminary thumbs-up Wednesday to a package of bills that would raise money for the cash-strapped schools. But school district officials say the proposal falls […]