Have you ever wondered why some Philadelphia playgrounds do not have swings and sliding boards anymore? We looked into the matter and here’s what we could find out. After conversations with Philadelphia recreation officials, it appears the reason is part liability, cost, and politics.
All play equipment, such as swing sets and sliding boards, must have a [...]

(Update 3:10 PM: City recreation officials have informed us that they are in the process of fixing problems at the American Legion playground, which we highlighted in our report. Read below for more information).
As part of the latest budget crisis gripping Philadelphia, all city agencies have given Mayor Michael Nutter a list of recommendations for how to cut operations [...]

A public opinion poll reveals that Philadelphians think the city is heading in the right direction compared to two years ago. The change reflects the city’s new leadership under Mayor Michael Nutter, who took office in January 2008. Nutter comes off the poll with a 71% approval rating. In terms of his performance, 46% of the 1600 residents polled gave the Mayor [...]

 
In case you missed it, the Philadelphia Bulletin has run several stories about how Brian Tierney, owner of the Inquirer and Daily News, had been in talks with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell about possible state aid to bolster the two newspapers. 
After some play in the local media, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) picked up the story and published an op-ed today [...]

Mayor Michael Nutter has pledged to not permanently shut down any libraries for the time being, even if the state appeals court grants the city authority to do so. The City of Philadelphia is currently appealing a December 2008 Common Pleas Court decision, which halted the permanent closure of 11 libraries and ordered the Mayor to [...]

In case you didn’t hear, Mayor Michael Nutter has commissioned a Private Sector Outreach Board to figure out how to make city government more effective, cost-efficient, and quality-driven. He announced the formation of the seven-member board during his January 15th address on the city’s latest budget woes.
In his speech, Nutter said he assembled the board to “look for [...]

Like it or not, you’re stuck with the wage tax if you live in Philadelphia, or live outside the city but work here. Yeah, it’s a raw deal. But it’s part of the price we pay to live and/or work here. Back in October, we asked you why you choose to stay in Philadelphia, why [...]

Controversy over the Free Library of Philadelphia’s new staffing minimums played out this week in the local media between the union representing the city’s library workers and management. On behalf of the union, a public relations specialist sent out an email to reporters expressing surprise and discontent over the change. We followed the issue and [...]

There’s not a whole lot to get excited about over Philly’s budget cuts, except that the city will be saving money. Over the past month, Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration has been swinging the dollar ax and chopping funding away from libraries, pools, fire companies, vacant land management programs and other services crucial to the fabric of [...]

The Free Library of Philadelphia has laid down new ground rules about how many people are required to keep open a branch.  The requirement is now four, instead of three employees. The staffing policy change has AFSCME District Council 47 union officials, who represent library workers, raising eyebrows; granted the union in the past has repeatedly asked [...]