Vote no on two questions

Philadelphia voters should say no Tuesday to two ballot questions that would add jobs to the city payroll and constitution.

Question No. 1 would put an Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Affairs in the City Charter. Ensuring the participation and protection of the city's LGBT community is important, but the task could be carried out by a deputy mayor or other nonconstitutional official without changing the charter. Vote NO.

Question No. 2 would create a new Department of Planning and Development. The current Planning Commission would continue, but within the new department. An overhaul of the city's convoluted development process is needed, but all this appears to do is add another bureaucratic layer. Vote NO.

Also on the ballot is a routine Bond Question seeking voters' approval to borrow $156 million for capital improvements to transit; streets and sanitation; municipal buildings; parks, recreation, and museums; and economic and community development. Vote YES.