Cleaner is better

A government can't succeed unless it's run for the betterment of the entire community. When it only serves a particular group, it eventually ceases to work for everyone.

That's why Philadelphians voted eight years ago for a mayor who was prepared to toughen its ethics and campaign-finance rules. Its next mayor should strive to run the city for everyone by adhering to Mayor Nutter's ethical standards, improving transparency, and raising the bar further.

Even as candidates, those competing to succeed Nutter can prove their commitment to clean elections by publicly condemning any outside groups that sponsor fact-bending ads smearing their rivals.

Those outside groups can take advantage of a loophole in the city's otherwise strong campaign-finance laws, which were designed to combat an entrenched pay-to-play culture. Until recently, companies could invest tens of thousands in candidates and accept multimillion-dollar government contracts, potentially over more qualified firms. Now they're more likely to invest in outside groups, with winks and nods to the candidates they're effectively supporting. The loophole could be narrowed by a disclosure bill pending in Harrisburg or by local measures.

Once in office, the next mayor should keep the posts of chief integrity officer and inspector general - ideally working to incorporate them into the City Charter - and increase funding for the Board of Ethics. The three should coordinate their efforts to be as effective and efficient as possible.

The Committee of Seventy has recommended other advisable reforms, including a permanent nepotism ban and better whistle-blower protections.

Meanwhile, the public can serve as a tougher watchdog with unfettered access to government information (with the usual exceptions to protect personal privacy and sensitive negotiations). Access to information allows regular people, not just insiders, to influence decisions. The next mayor should improve it.

That should include access to data, a foundation for good policy such as deployment of police to crime hot spots, which has improved the city's safety and quality of life. Nutter has released some data to the public, but the practice should be expanded. Meanwhile, some basic city records, such as health and building inspection reports and wills and deeds, still reside in antique systems that discourage analysis.

Philadelphia has made much progress toward a smarter, cleaner government in recent years. Developers and companies seeking new locations within the city are more confident that they won't be shaken down by City Hall. And it's harder for special interests to have undue influence. These improvements have helped the city take advantage of trends among young adults and empty-nesters moving into urban areas.

Philadelphia works better for all of us with an ethical and open government, which is why making it more so should be high on the next mayor's to-do list.