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Monday, September 22, 2008

Time to rethink City Council? -- Open Thread
The newest "It's Our Money" op-ed has hit the paper. Our topic this week is Philadelphia City Council. Are taxpayers getting the best representation for the money we spend? What are some possible reforms that could help City Council function better?

Read the article by clicking here and use this post as an open thread for discussion.

Posted by Ben Waxman @ 11:07 AM  Permalink | 2 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:52 PM, 09/22/2008
    I like the sound of non-partisan elections. Smaller players can't simply win by default (pulling the lever). Also, what about instead of two councilmen per district, one per district and five at large whose job is to act like the senate and concentrate on longer term, city wide issues and aren't beholden to a particular district. how about redrawing district boundaries so they make some sense outside of gerrymandering?
    — dreinterests
  • Comment removed.


2 comments
About It's Our Money
Every year, city government spends slightly more than $4 billion. Where does all that money come from? More importantly, where does it go? Are we getting the most bang for our tax buck? “It's Our Money” is a joint project between Philadelphia Daily News and WHYY, funded by the William Penn Foundation, designed to answer these questions.




PHILADELPHIA HORROR STORY

City Hall

When Mayor Nutter introduced his budget he acknowledged several “major financial challenges” facing the city. We prefer to think of them as lurking monsters: The Pension Blob, The property-tax zombie, The School Distric Vampire, Asset sale ghosts, and Council's Bigfoot budget.


PILE OF BOTTLES FILLED WITH URINE

City Howl

The water bottles lying in a pile on Buttonwood Street were not filled with water. Their contents were a mysterious, yellow liquid - one closer to brown, the others the color of lemonade.


WILL CITY COVER $41 MILLION IN STATE CUTS?

 podcast

On this week's It's Our Money podcast, Doron Taussig and Holly Otterbein discuss how a budget is a statement of priorities — and also how a mayor needs to be careful what he promises to pay for.

It's Our Money contributors

Tips? Comments? Questions?
Contact:

Doron Taussig:
215-854-5307
doron.taussig@gmail.com
@dorontaussig

Holly Otterbein:
215-854-5809
hm.otterbein@gmail.com
@hollyotterbein

Juliana Reyes:
215-854-5855
juliana.f.reyes@gmail.com
@juliana_f_reyes

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