philadelphia-city-council
Philly Councilmember Curtis Jones urges citizens to call out ‘red flag’ behavior
By Brian Saunders PHILADELPHIA — City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. took the floor during this week’s virtual City Council meeting to urge people to speak up if someone they know is going through a mental health crisis. Jones’ remarks come in the aftermath of Monday’s Thomas Jefferson University Hospital shooting, which left one man dead […]
Philly City Council urges Congress to end forced labor in prisons
'We can’t decarcerate our country unless we eliminate the financial incentive to keep Black and brown, working class and poor people in prison,' Councilmember Kendra Brooks said.
‘Some of these killings are for the dumbest reasons’: What’s driving Philly’s bloody summer?
Some have called the situation a "perfect storm" of problems. Others a "witches' brew" of swirling trauma.
Black Clergy, Krasner call on Philly’s largest companies, nonprofits to fund violence prevention efforts
Days after Philadelphia boosted funding for violence prevention initiatives, the fight for how to spend it and who should pay more has begun.
Calling for fair school funding, clergy, activists, Philly Councilmember Gym detained after interrupting Pa. Senate session
Black plastic zip ties were clearly visible around the wrists of those detained and who were cited for unlawful assembly.
A year after George Floyd protests, Philly Mayor Kenney details progress on racial, police reforms
By Michael D’Onofrio PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Jim Kenney says his administration is making progress at rooting out systemic racial inequities, and enacting police reforms a year after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests. Yet while acknowledging more progress was needed, Kenney stressed that surging gun violence in the city was […]
Philly biz leaders, advocates call for $20M infusion of stimulus cash help Black businesses, community
The focus on targeted funding comes as the U.S. has lost an estimated 40 percent of Black-owned businesses due to the pandemic.
Philly Free Library supporters demand $15M budget boost
Advocates want spending that was slashed during the pandemic to be restored to the library system's budget.
Philly Council unveils anti-violence plan aimed at city youth
The plan comes as 822 school-aged youth in Philadelphia have been injured or killed by gun violence since January 2020.
Philly Council looks to diversify city workforce by eliminating so-called ‘Rule of Two’
Councilmember Cherelle Parker, who's backing the change, says she's seeking a final vote by June 24.
Philly City Council demands more transparency on errors in city payroll system
“I don’t think we should keep pouring money into something that we know has the kinks that it has without a plan,” Councilmember Isiah Thomas said.
Philly Council approves resolution opposing Pa. House GOP’s anti-transgender sports bill
By Michele Zipkin PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia City Council has approved a resolution sponsored by City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson asking Pennsylvania lawmakers to oppose a Republican-authored bill now before the state House prohibiting transgender athletes in Pennsylvania from participating in high school and college sports that correspond to their gender. At-large Councilmembers Kendra Brooks, Helen Gym, […]