Meet Your Mayor Philadelphia: A political matchmaking quiz for Philly voters

Gun Violence

Answered X of 5

What type of crime prevention should be the city’s first priority for expansion or creation?

Developing the workforce and reducing blight are mainstays in the crime prevention conversation. The city began spending record sums on violence prevention in Mayor Kenney’s second term, bringing more scrutiny to issues with prompt funding, improperly run programs, and questions about the most efficient way to spend on violence prevention.

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Brown

Jeff Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Domb

Allan Domb (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"The Rhynhart Administration will look to model... Group Violence Intervention, Cure Violence, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ...The people most at risk of shooting or being shot in Philadelphia [will be offered] a way out of the lifestyle with mentorship, therapy, job training, and employment, working with community anti-violence leaders that have shown success..."

from Campaign website

No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"I am uniquely situated to make the tough decisions ... and immediately introduce the Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety and Community Policing Plan."

from You Decide: Philadelphia’s Next Mayor – Democratic Primary Debate , April 11, 2023

How should the city handle curfews for teens?

The city made permanent a pandemic curfew for teens in December 2022, as part of a wider agenda for keeping youth outside after dark safe. Teens doubted it would be strictly enforced from the jump, and it’s regularly broken. There’s some data that questions whether curfews like this are effective at all.

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Domb

Allan Domb (D)

Domb voted in favor of June 2022 curfew bill.

from City Council’s Legislative Information Center., June 23, 2022
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Gym voted in favor of June 2022 curfew bill.

from City Council’s Legislative Information Center., June 27, 2022
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

Joined a rally held by the Mother's Movement, which included asking city officials to enforce a 10pm curfew.

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 23, 2022

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Enforcing youth curfews in coordination with block captains, neighborhood groups, and schools" is a part of Parker's public safety plan.

from Parker's Neighborhood Safety and Community Policing Plan , March 30, 2022

Oh

David Oh (R)

Oh believes a permanent teen curfew would increase "animosity between police and the community.”

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 1, 2022

No candidates selected this answer

Should Philadelphia ask federal prosecutors to handle more of the city’s gun crime cases?

As Philadelphia struggles to get repeat offenders off the streets, some have suggested having federal prosecutors take on more gun crime cases to boost clearance rates — the measure of how many arrests are resolved.

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Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Answered, "We should work with the state and federal government. They have a lot of resources to add to, and being a good manager, you coordinate all the resources to focus on this problem," in response to, "How will you address the issue of legal and illegal gun accessibility?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence hosted by Councilmembers Jones and Johnson, Jan. 19, 2023

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

Brown is a member of the House Select Committee on Restoring Law and Order, which he says will "keep the focus of these hearings where it belongs: on the victims of violent crime and those with the least access to power."

from Pa. State Rep. John Lawrence press release, Sept. 30, 2022
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"If for any reason Philadelphia’s District Attorney refuses to prosecute some gun crimes, I will work with state and federal law enforcement partners to remove the cases from his jurisdiction."

from Black Leadership PAC: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

What should the mayor do regarding “stop and frisk”?

Stop and frisk, a tactic PPD has used for decades, is currently tracked under the rules of the Bailey Consent Decree, which has shown a decline in the practice: Some candidates say the practice doesn’t work, others insist it will be a part of their safety plan.

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Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Answered "no" in response to, "Will you support stop-and-frisk?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence hosted by Councilmembers Jones and Johnson, Jan. 19, 2023

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

Answered, "Definitely no," in response to, "Do you support stop and frisk?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence, Jan. 19, 2022
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"I support the constitutional use of stop and frisk as a tool to protect and serve us," in response to "Will you support stop-and-frisk?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence hosted by Councilmembers Jones and Johnson, Jan. 19, 2023

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Gym responded with a "no" when asked, "Will you support stop-and-frisk?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence hosted by Councilmembers Jones and Johnson, Jan. 19, 2023

Should the city create a new Office of Public Safety with a cabinet-level director who City Council must approve?

Philly voters will decide whether to change the city charter and create a new Office of Public Safety. If approved, it would be headed by a Council-approved director that takes over the responsibility of coordinating law enforcement and emergency management. Mayor Kenney vetoed a bill putting the office’s creation on the ballot, saying it was rushed through; Council overrode him.

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DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"That position that you're calling for, is what I've been campaigning on, from day one."

from 100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum, March 30, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Yes, absolutely, Deputy Mayor for Violence Prevention," in response to "Would you be willing to appoint a stop the violence czar to help oversee the stop the violence efforts in Philadelphia?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence hosted by Councilmembers Jones and Johnson, Jan. 14, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Answered "yes," in response to "Would you be willing to appoint a 'stop the violence' czar to help oversee the 'stop the violence' efforts in Philadelphia?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence hosted by Councilmembers Jones and Johnson, Jan. 18, 2023

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Education

Answered X of 4

Should the Philadelphia Board of Education authorize more charter schools?

The Philly school board has declined all new charter school applications since the School District of Philadelphia was returned to local control in 2018, and it’s also denied some renewals. Around a third of students who attend publicly funded Philly schools go to charters, which are publicly funded but independently run.

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Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"If an in-demand school can no longer accommodate more students, we should create a second version of that school to expand the total number of slots. This problem exists in both district-run schools and charter schools..."

from Impacto Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire, April 7, 2023
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"If we don't have our public schools teaching our children correctly, then everything fails."

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Public Education, March 21, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I am the only candidate for mayor who has publicly pledged to support both increased funding for schools and to expand the number of charter schools."

from Impacto Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire, April 7, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"I'll work every day to improve the neighborhood schools... But we can't wait for the neighborhood schools to get up to the place where every parent feels comfortable with that and there needs to be the option of charter. ...I'll look to increase the number of good seats, whether they're traditional public or charter."

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Public Education, March 21, 2023

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"My priority is to ... guarantee that every public school is a safe, high-quality, vibrant option so that charters can continue to be important supplements to traditional public schools, not an escape hatch for a district that refuses to invest in its children."

from Impacto Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire, April 6, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

How should the Philadelphia school board be chosen?

While many municipalities elect their school boards by the popular vote, that doesn’t happen here. In Philly, the mayor chooses members from a list put forth by a mayor-appointed nominating panel. They then must be approved by City Council.

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"The current school board is biased against charter schools. As Mayor, I will appoint a more equitable school board that focuses on creating the best education for all of our children".

from Impacto Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire, April 7, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I will provide clear leadership for the Board of Education … The current appointment system ensures diversity on the school board, creates a clear reporting structure, and allows for a cohesive funding strategy for Philadelphia schools."

from City & State Pa., Feb. 16, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

“I do support an appointed School Board particularly after we fought so many years for local control.”

from Growing Philadelphia: A Mayoral Candidate Forum on Technology, Innovation and Public Education, March 9, 2023

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

“I myself when elected mayor want to have an appointed School Board because I want to put people on there that are concerned about academics and are concerned about reversing generational poverty uh as to the students that are in the poorer schools and uplifting those schools.”

from Growing Philadelphia: A Mayoral Candidate Forum on Technology, Innovation and Public Education, March 9, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"The most important priority is a unified vision between the mayor and the school district to invest in our schools. For far too long, the school district and city have not effectively collaborated to solve the most pressing problems facing youth."

from City & State Pa., Feb. 16, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"There's real power for accountability in having this appointed school board if used correctly. As mayor I would appoint a school board that shares my vision for improvement to the schools and I want the decisions to roll up to me as the mayor."

from Growing Philadelphia: A Mayoral Candidate Forum on Technology, Innovation and Public Education, March 9, 2023

What kind of oversight should the mayor have regarding school facilities?

The average Philadelphia school building is more than 70 years old, and many are filled with damaged asbestos and mold. Discovery of these toxins has prompted closures and student relocations. A bill passed last year would require one third of schools to pass inspections by August in order to stay open, but the Board of Education is currently suing the city over it.

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Brown

Jeff Brown (D)
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

Domb said he believes the mayor should be able to both order schools closesd over safety concerns, as well as to order students relocated.

from Domb campaign statement
Gym

Helen Gym (D)
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

from

No candidates selected this answer

How should the city subsidize tuition at the Community College of Philadelphia?

A CCP education costs Philadelphians around $190 per credit hour. The city recently established the Catto Scholarship, which offers free tuition and a stipend for full-time students living in the city with financial need who meet certain criteria. Another program, “Opportunity Now,” allows laid off workers to take one semester of classes for free.

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Brown

Amen Brown (D)

"Not being able to afford college can pose as a barrier for many looking to obtain a higher education & better their lives, which should never be the case."

from Twitter, Jan. 12, 2023
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

No candidates selected this answer

Development & Infrastructure

Answered X of 4

What should be the city's top focus to encourage historic preservation?

Philadelphia has protected relatively few historic structures compared to other big cities and offers no direct subsidies for historic preservation. In 2018 a task force recommended creating new types of historic districts, zoning bonuses and reduced parking requirements for preservation projects, and a system for preventing demolitions, but there has been little movement since.

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Brown

Amen Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"I have made it a dedicated mission to make sure that preservation is an absolute priority within my Administration to ensure that we can both preserve the unique character of neighborhoods, which I think makes our strongest neighborhoods the best, but also provide for some development."

from BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum, March 14, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"I would... incentiviz[e] historical preservation... I would establish a fund for low- and moderate-income homeowners that live in historical homes to help with the cost to keep their homes up to date."

from BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum, March 14, 2023

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I do think we need incentives to help maintain them. ...Some of these homes are naturally affordable and we could offer incentives to make a naturally affordable home get restored and use it to address our affordable housing crisis."

from BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum, March 14, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I will look at providing incentives for historic preservation, because we put rules and regulations on properties that are historic that are really cumbersome and makes it harder to keep them alive, and it's important for us to keep them alive."

from BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum, March 14, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

What action should the city take regarding the Philadelphia Land Bank?

In 2013, City Council created the Land Bank to manage and dispose of the city’s municipally owned vacant properties. It has faced criticism for a very slow sales pace, for the provision that City Council must approve every sale, and for sometimes selling parcels that had been turned into community gardens.

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DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"We need comprehensive review and reform of public land acquisition, disposition and leasing to ensure that we are truly supporting these critical garden and agriculture uses, and to remove the many barriers that currently make this work harder or impossible."

from Grid, March 1, 2023

Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"We need to leverage the land in the land bank, the lots and the properties, to use those for private investment for developers to come to us and develop affordable housing.”

from BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum, March 14, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Parker said, 'the city has several levers to pull to ensure that private developers are held accountable and build truly affordable housing.' ... She pointed to the Philadelphia Land Bank ... and advocated for passing a new tax break only for buildings that offer affordable housing units in areas that have blighted properties."

from Billy Penn, Dec. 28, 2022

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

“We should end the land bank, sell off all the properties. All of those properties that could be made into affordable housing, we should either do direct ownership and finance it, or find Black and brown developers to develop those properties to help build their business, [and] convert as many as possible affordable housing.”

from BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum, March 15, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

Should affordable units be mandated in large multi-family buildings?

To encourage creation of affordable housing, the city allows developers to make their buildings larger if they include affordable units. In two Council districts, affordable units are mandated in some new multifamily buildings.

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Brown

Amen Brown (D)

"We can be using private funds to build mixed-income housing, incentivizing developers to build affordable housing."

from Campaign website
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"...we also need to recommit to housing as a human right, and look at how the city can evolve in its land use to build more affordable housing – and permanent affordable housing rather than short term fixes for people in crisis that don’t upend the cycle of displacement."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"Mayor Rhynhart will convene the Philadelphia Housing Authority, local elected officials, community advocates and stakeholders to develop solutions for the looming subsidized housing crisis due to the nearly 2000 units of subsidized housing expiring in the next five years."

from Campaign website

Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"I do not support an affordable housing model that includes putting low-income people together in one community … I want a mixed-use sort of affordable housing … million-dollar houses in the middle of singles and twins, and then public housing."

from City & State Pa., Feb. 28, 2023

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I will provide access to portions of the Land Bank inventory to builders and developers who commit to building and maintaining affordable housing...and create new, innovative [financing] tools... This will include floating a 40-year bond at a low interest rate to workforce and affordable housing developers... We will also consider a long-term affordable housing tax."

from Bisnow Philadelphia, March 9, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"My administration will work with federal and state leaders, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, community leaders, advocates and the private sector to expand the amount of affordable, safe housing available and provide wraparound services to those who need it."

from Bisnow Philadelphia, March 8, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

How should the city work to increase access to broadband internet?

The pandemic-era PHLConnectED program to provide free internet access for families with children is scheduled to end in July. The city is urging households to apply to the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides discounted or free broadband service and discounts on equipment purchases.

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DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Domb

Allan Domb (D)

No candidates selected this answer

Transportation

Answered X of 4

Should the city offer discounts on public transit to residents with lower incomes?

Bus, trolley, and subway rides currently cost $2 with a SEPTA Key, and Regional Rail fares are higher. Mayor Kenney’s proposed budget for 2024 dedicates $31 million toward a two-year pilot that would provide free all-access SEPTA passes for residents living around or below the poverty line.

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Brown

Amen Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"I believe in income-based fares, fare capping, the elimination of transfer fees, a transit program for university students, and free transit for vulnerable classes, in particular youth."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Domb

Allan Domb (D)

Domb answered yes when asked, "Do you support the City establishing a fare discount program for low-income riders?"

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"One of the best ways to incentivize our residents is to implement more progressive fare policies. As Mayor I will work with SEPTA to explore expanding the eligibility requirements for the reduced fare program to make more residents experiencing poverty eligible for the program."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I support establishing a fare discount program for low-income riders and would work towards accomplishing this. However, SEPTA functions separately from the City so it would be out of my direct control."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

What should Philly do about protected bike lanes going forward?

Philadelphia has several types of bike lanes, but not all are separated from traffic by bollards or a lane of parked cars — which tend to be safer and more comfortable for cyclists. Some motorists argue against creating bike lanes if they will reduce traffic lanes or car parking.

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Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"While not every street can or should have a protected bike lane, we should create a system of dedicated bike lanes across the city similar to how we have arterial streets."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"Philadelphians need better transportation options to get them out of traffic. This includes safe, clean and reliable SEPTA service and an expanded network of bike lanes that make it safe to take the 25% of trips that are less than 2 miles by bike."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"My administration will prioritize establishing new and protected bike lanes and will leverage capital improvements to roads as an opportunity to create more protected bike lanes."

from Feet First Philly

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

His "plan to expand a protected bike lane network throughout every neighborhood in Philadelphia so as to give all citizens access to bike transportation" includes six steps.

from Grid, March 1, 2023

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

Supports the addition of 40 miles of bike lanes.

from 2023 Better Mobility Forum, March 31, 2023
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I will combat traffic congestion...through making alternate modes of transportation accessible and safe. This means fixing our sidewalks so pedestrians...can navigate the city with ease, increasing bike lanes so bikers do not have to fear being hit by a vehicle, and making SEPTA safe so all feel comfortable riding it."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"I would finish the necessary protections for established bike routes and support bike share programs ... Ideally, everyone should only be a few blocks away from a protected lane."

from Grid, March 1, 2023

How should Philadelphia make it easier for buses to travel through the city?

Buses, SEPTA’s most-used transit mode, move through the city slowly due to many stops and other traffic. More dedicated bus lanes could speed up service, but adding new bus lanes could mean eliminating street parking spaces — though some people park in the lanes anyway.

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DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Gym has said she'll "implement 8 priority bus corridors from the City’s Strategic Transit Plan."

from PhillyVoice, March 31, 2023

Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"In addition to make riding the bus more efficient, we will expand the number of bus-only lanes and utilize technology to enforce the lane restriction, allowing our buses to travel more freely through our streets."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I support expanding bus-only lanes throughout parts of Philadelphia with high bus traffic, even if this means removing a lane of travel for personal vehicles or parking."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

No candidates selected this answer

Should Philadelphia encourage building a subway or rail line along Roosevelt Boulevard?

Advocates are pushing for a subway line along Roosevelt Boulevard, which would connect to the Broad Street Line and create a one-seat ride from Northeast Philadelphia to Center City. SEPTA says the $3 billion price tag is too big right now, but proponents contend it’s a worthy investment and more funding sources could be explored.

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Brown

Amen Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"I would look at doubling the system that we now have, and analyzing the input of the riders ... so that we can make plans for the future."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

“[W]e should be strongly looking at and considering a subway system on Roosevelt Boulevard to connect the Northeast into the city for growth. When you look at the Northeast over the next 10 years, there's a lot of concern.”

from BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum, March 14, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"...we have an important opportunity to fund mass transit right now. We have the great bones of a great public transit system that desperately needs an infusion of investment."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Long term, light rail; immediately, express vehicles to and from. But no one will want to ride mass transit if it is not safe and if it is not clean." — in response to "How might you fund rapid mass transit along Roosevelt Boulevard?"

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"Some of our neighborhoods must still rely on driving into the city because of the inconsistent and inconvenient SEPTA services, which is why I support the Roosevelt Boulevard subway line and will advocate for state and federal funding for the massive infrastructure project."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Oh

David Oh (R)

"I support the idea of investigating a subway system or rail line, however, in the meantime, we can have a express bus."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I think our SEPTA system is just completely broken and unsafe. The board has gone in the wrong direction. I don't like the way this is run. I wouldn't support a subway on Roosevelt Boulevard ."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023

Housing

Answered X of 4

The city has far fewer subsidized affordable homes than residents who need them. How should the city work to create more?

Philly receives more low income housing vouchers (rent subsidies) from the federal government than it has units participating in the program, and there’s a loooong waitlist. Landlords often choose not to accept vouchers, and the expiration of decades-old low income housing contracts is only compounding the issue.

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DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

Gym

Helen Gym (D)
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"I have a plan to build 30,000 units of affordable housing — mixed use, market rate, and affordable."

from The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia's 2023 Democratic Mayoral Debate, April 24, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"Mayor Rhynhart will convene the Philadelphia Housing Authority, local elected officials, community advocates and stakeholders to develop solutions for the looming subsidized housing crisis due to the nearly 2000 units of subsidized housing expiring in the next five years."

from Campaign website

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Should the city’s nationally renowned pandemic eviction diversion plan, which expires in 2024, be modified?

The city’s eviction diversion plan, which mandates mediation with tenants and landlords and was greatly aided by rental assistance programs during COVID, has been credited with aiding tens of thousands of families, but claims in eviction cases are rising and the program is set to expire in June 2024.

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Oh

David Oh (R)

“While the program expresses good, it also has adverse consequences. And I think those now outweigh the value.” Oh said, describing the program as another restriction for Philadelphia landlords.

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 13, 2022

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"As someone whose family was evicted when I was a child, I know what housing insecurity feels like and the deep impact it has on a family. I believe housing is a basic right and the number of people living unhoused or in overcrowded housing in Philadelphia is a multilevel policy failure."

from Bisnow Philadelphia, March 8, 2023

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"This program was born out of crisis, but out of it we came up with something that will stabilize and indeed, we hope, lead to a more prosperous and stable and healthy safe city for everyone."

from WHYY's PlanPhilly, Oct. 13, 2022
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"Expand the renter eviction program to make sure that families are not kicked out of their homes for unjust reasons... [and] make sure that 'mom-and-pop' landlords who own three or fewer properties can keep their rents paid using rent subsidies."

from Campaign website

No candidates selected this answer

What should the city do about the Homestead Exemption?

The city’s Homestead Exemption — a policy that reduces the taxed portion of a property assessment by $80,000 for Philadelphia homeowners using a property as their primary residence — was raised from $45,000 last year, to help homeowners dealing with higher property assessments.

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Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

co-sponsor of bill that doubled the exemption amount

from City Council’s Legislative Information Center., June 1, 2022

No candidates selected this answer

Gym

Helen Gym (D)
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

What kind of property tax reform is most urgent for Philadelphia?

As candidates are near unanimous in planning to cut wage and business taxes, questions on property taxes — its impacts for middle/working class residents, city revenues, and ramifications for development — have become a clear way to draw tax-related distinctions between mayoral hopefuls.

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"The way we're doing real estate taxes is just wrong. It's ruthless to to low-income individuals seniors and handicapped people. ...We should have a 5 percent cap for every individual how much their real estate taxes could increase because we're forcing people out of their homes and making homeless people."

from BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum, March 14, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I championed delinquent tax collection strategies and improvements to commercial property assessments. Both endeavors resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of increased revenue for the City and School District."

from Philly Forward PAC: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Gym

Helen Gym (D)
Oh

David Oh (R)

“I find it useless,” Oh said of the OPA appeals,

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 1, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Until there are some very tangible structural processes, procedures, and protocols we can put in place to ensure that there are no race gaps in home appraisals for anybody, particularly in our city, I won’t be happy. "

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 27, 2022
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"Our most vulnerable residents [pay] more than their fair share of property taxes, compared to wealthier neighborhoods. ...It is unlikely that the market changes over the last three years alone account for the doubling of assessed values in certain parts of the city. ...With the opaque process and inconsistencies in land valuation and one thing is clear: the reassessment process needs to be better."

from Office of the Controller press release, May 12, 2022

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"As mayor, I will put a moratorium on any property tax assessment until a more equitable solution was found. After that, I would send people out door to door. Anybody that we know that has a homestead exemption but did not turn the work in to go help them turn that helped him fill that paperwork out and turn it in."

from School District of Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Forum, March 21, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

Law Enforcement

Answered X of 4

Is a change needed in Philadelphia Police Department leadership?

Danielle Outlaw was tapped as police commissioner in December 2019, just a few months before the pandemic hit. How much fault does she hold for the surge in Philadelphia’s shooting epidemic and the police staffing crisis? Some candidates have said she has to go, others say she deserves more time to be “part of the solution.”

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Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Answered, "That's loaded. I can't guarantee that. No," in response to, "Would you support Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and keep her in position if you are elected mayor, yes or no?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence, Jan. 19, 2022
Oh

David Oh (R)

Oh assured city's Republican Party leader he would appoint a police commissioner from within the ranks of the Philadelphia Police Department.

from Metro Philly, Feb. 12, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Gym answered "yes," in response to the question, "Would you support Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and keep her in position if you are elected mayor, yes or no?"

from Mayoral Candidate Forum on Gun Violence, Jan. 18, 2022
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"The current leadership of the PPD, to me, hasn't been fully supported by the mayor, so it makes it difficult to fully judge how well the leadership can do. So what I will do as mayor is say, ...let's have a conversation and see how you would accomplish [my] vision. And we'll go from there."

from NBC10 interview, Feb. 6, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

What’s the most effective way for Philadelphia to address police understaffing?

Like many municipal police departments, the PPD is struggling with understaffing. Recruitment is down, despite waiving the residency requirement for officers. The department has drawn criticism for abuse of various leave programs and civilian tasks being done by officers.

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"I would ask the citizens for their help. I would ask specifically for people to come join the force and join me in making Philadelphia a better and safer city. I would also look at why police officers can’t come in similarly to how our young people come into the armed forces. When you join the armed forces, you do not take a polygraph, you come straight in. So, I would look at the reasons why we all of a sudden are giving a polygraph and why we can’t put that to the side so we can get some competent people in, rather than having those competent people go into the armed services. I’m a veteran, I would love competent people going into the armed services, but I need them here in the city also."

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 13, 2023

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

Brown has urged to city to immediately fill the approximately 600 open uniform police positions and properly staff the 911 call center by expanding the use of signing bonuses and incentive pay utilizing COVID-19 relief funds available to Kenney.

from State Rep Amen Brown press release, June 6, 2022

Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"We should be training our young [people], I don't care if it's Police, I don't care if it's Fire, I don't care if it's Building Engineers ..."

from Ultimate Job Interview, Feb. 22, 2023

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I want to set up another tier of officer, public safety officer. ...they wouldn't get a gun, they wouldn't do lethal work, but we would ...keep on working with them to pass the test [to become police officers]. In other words, we'll recruit our own police officers."

from Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Democratic Forum, March 28, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"Filling vacancies is an absolute matter of public safety. I’m focused on clearing barriers to recruitment and reforming the flawed programs that have currently kept hundreds of officers off duty."

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 13, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

Would pursue "civilianization to get more officers out of the office and into the field on patrol... take action against officers abusing the Heart and Lung benefit... reevaluate specialized units and determine whether the police district’s boundaries are aligned with the shifting population."

from Campaign website

What should be done with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office?

The Sheriff’s Office, which works within the court systems and handles auctions of foreclosed properties, can’t seem to avoid glaring scandals that prompt calls for reform, leading some to question its ultimate use as a distinct body.

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Jeff Brown, despite styling himself as an outsider and reformer, declined to support any changes to the office.

from , Feb. 9, 2023
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Gym has expressed that she's open to structural changes and committed to rooting out corruption in the office, though has noted that abolishing the office isn't under the mayor's purview.

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 9, 2023

What is your main concern about the implementation of the city’s Driving Equality Law?

The Driving Equality Law, meant to reduce discriminatory traffic stops, has been in place for a little over a year. An FOP-led court challenge was recently thrown out — the law’s impact has been mixed, reducing overall stops without affecting the racial disparities.

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"'Would look to repeal' the city’s so-called driving equality law... Brown said it hinders violent-crime prevention, saying, 'If you were going to do a drive-by shooting, what you would take is an unregistered car with tinted windows.'"

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 26, 2023

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Oh

David Oh (R)

Opposed the June 2021 bill, stating "It’s important that our police be able to safeguard our public highways and roads by stopping vehicles that are a danger to the public because they’re not inspected, not registered, and not effectively covered by insurance."

from The Philadelphia Tribune, Oct. 14, 2021

Arts & Entertainment

Answered X of 4

What is the top action the city can take to boost Philly’s arts economy?

Philadelphia’s arts economy generates billions in economic impact every year, but formal institutions supporting the arts have faced fluctuating funding, leading the sector to be recognized as an area where the city could be doing better.

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"The first thing I would do was guarantee that the Philadelphia cultural fund received the 1.5 million dollars that they are supposed to receive in order to fund the organization"

from Philadelphia Mayoral Arts Forum, March 30, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I would want to expand the hotel tax to include dedicated revenues for arts and culture and fun. I would work with the industry to collaborate on how we would spend it."

from Mayoral Forum on the Perform Arts & Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"As mayor, in addition to being a cheerleader for the city generally, and its many arts and cultural amenities specifically, I will support ... specific programs to increase marketing for cultural and arts tourism[.]"

from Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Policy: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"The answer is yes, public-private partnerships, intergovernmantal cooperation, state and local funding along with private sector."

from Philadelphia Mayoral Arts Forum, March 30, 2023

Gym

Helen Gym (D)
Oh

David Oh (R)

"I have, over my 11 years [on City Council], tried to establish a funding stream for the arts."

from Mayoral Forum on the Perform Arts & Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023

In the May primary, voters will get a chance to approve creating an Office of Music. What should be the office’s top priority?

Voters at the polls in May will have the choice to establish an Office of Music, which would work to support the city’s musicians and music industry. The ballot question was born partially of the work of the city’s Music Industry Task Force, initially convened in 2017.

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No candidates selected this answer

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)
Domb

Allan Domb (D)
Oh

David Oh (R)

Oh says a city music office would focus on “growing and building the creative arts economy,” while generating revenue for musicians and others in the industry.

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 19, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

If state lawmakers pass legislation allowing municipalities to push last call to 4 a.m., should Philly give bar owners that option?

Philly’s bars must close at 2 a.m. due to state laws, which politicians from the city have proposed changing to give municipalities the option to push back last call.

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DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

No candidates selected this answer

Domb

Allan Domb (D)
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

What’s the first change the city should make to the process for creating restaurant streeteries?

Turning parking spots into outdoor dining, aka streeteries, was a lifeline for restaurants in the early days of COVID, but when the program was formalized it gained enough red tape to dissuade up to 90% of participants from applying for a permanent streetery license.

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No candidates selected this answer

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"With me as mayor we're going to put that back. You're going to have outside dining much more ..."

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality & Tourism, March 14, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"As mayor, I will fight to allow restaurants to rebuild streeteries, subject to safety laws. How this administration has handled this issue, and the red tape mess it has created for approvals, is unacceptable."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

Gym answered "yes," in response to, "Do you support easing regulations on outdoor dining streeteries and facilitating more parklets and pedestrian plazas even if this means eliminating space for parking?"

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

Answered "yes" when asked, "Do you support easing regulations on outdoor dining streeteries and facilitating more parklets and pedestrian plazas even if this means eliminating space for parking?"

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Answered "yes" when asked, "Do you support easing regulations on outdoor dining streeteries and facilitating more parklets and pedestrian plazas even if this means eliminating space for parking?"

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Economy & Workforce

Answered X of 4

What should the city do with its sweetened beverage or “soda” tax?

Since its much-debated inception, Philly’s tax on sweetened beverages has generated a total revenue of $409M, allocated for the city’s public pre-K system as well as projects within the Rebuild program. So far, approximately half of the revenue raised has gone to the city’s General Fund, where its usage is untracked.

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Oh

David Oh (R)

"I voted against it and I introduced the bill to rescind it. It is a tax upon the poor, charging them for what they're already taxed on."

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality and Tourism Industry, March 14, 2023

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I think it's a rotten tax. It attacks the poor. I don't like the tax. I don't know that we can rescind it because of our financial circumstances, but I hate the tax."

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality and Tourism Industry, March 14, 2023

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"I supported the soda tax because I support pre-K, community Schools and Rebuild. But my work as city controller exposed that less than 50 percent of the money actually goes to those three things. ...As mayor I would make sure that a hundred percent of the money is going to where it's supposed to go..."

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality and Tourism Industry, March 14, 2023

Gym

Helen Gym (D)
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Yes, and until we can find another recurring revenue source to fund ... the rebuilding of parks, rec centers, and libraries in a city with one of the oldest infrastructures particularly as it relates to our public amenities.," in response to "do you support the sweetened beverage tax?"

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality and Tourism Industry, March 14, 2023

How should the city wage tax change?

Philadelphia’s wage tax is the city’s biggest revenue bucket, making up over 40%. In 2023, the wage tax was lowered — in different but minute amounts — for city residents and non-residents, saving the average earner 47-64 cents a year. Some believe the tax keeps businesses from locating inside city limits, others argue cutting it further would negatively affect city services.

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I support the city’s long-term plan to incrementally reduce the wage tax."

from Bisnow Philadelphia, March 9, 2023
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"We have to continue reductions in the wage tax and BIRT. It's necessary for our city in order for our city to grow. We're going to have to put ourselves in a position where businesses will feel that we are a destination that can help the growth of their business."

from Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Democratic Forum, March 28, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I agree with reducing the wage tax, but I also agree with reducing the net income and the BIRT tax."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, Feb. 28, 2023
Oh

David Oh (R)

"We can lower the wage tax and we should. Every study that we've had has said that number one thing to encourage employment in this city is to reduce the wage tax."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Yes, I want to reduce the wage tax but a way to do that is to grow Philadelphia's economy."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, Feb. 22, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"Not only does our tax system put an undue burden on small businesses, it also puts an undue burden on our employees. The Philadelphia wage tax is the highest in the nation. Rhynhart's Administration will remain committed to lowering the local wage tax."

from Campaign website

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"There is absolutely a case to see taxes reduced and to see investments grow in other places, but we can't do that unless we actually have a planned approach towards them. So as mayor I have committed to a new tax commission to see a real investment for the city we want, not for the city that we have had 25 years ago."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, Feb. 24, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

What should be the city’s first move to address its municipal staffing crisis?

Approximately 1 in 7 municipal jobs are vacant, extending beyond police and transit workers to almost all departments. Critics of the city’s hiring techniques call its work model and payment structure outdated.

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Answered, "My administration will take a critical look at every major city agency, work directly with the labor unions that represent city employees, as well as convening residents, local nonprofits and other thought leaders, and explore how we can do things better," in response to a question about understaffing in Licenses and Inspections.

from Grid, March 1, 2023
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"I’d invest in creating pipelines for Philadelphia public school students and local colleges and universities to these important positions, create training opportunities to promote lateral transfers and mid-career transitions, remove unnecessary barriers that limit access to positions, and make needed reforms to civil service hiring process to reduce lengthy delays and administrative burdens."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

No candidates selected this answer

What should be Philly’s priority to attract more companies that hire skilled workers?

Except for Comcast, Philadelphia’s 10 largest employers are public entities that benefit from taxes, as opposed to paying them. A 2022 report by the Center City District found the city had fewer jobs per resident than its suburbs. “We are like a six-cylinder car engine firing on only two of its cylinders," CCD President Paul Levy said.

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Brown

Amen Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I have repeatedly pushed to overhaul the city’s tax structure because it is a primary barrier to growing the local economy."

from Bisnow Philadelphia, March 8, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"The tax base is extremely important, lowering of wage, lowering of BIRT, removing red tape to make [business] web-based, app-based, easier." in response to a question about attracting jobs.

from Ultimate Job Interview, Feb. 22, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"My commitment has been to look at the overall tax structure to streamline taxes as best as we can to make commitments on what can actually incentivize and grow businesses here in Philadelphia."

from Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia: Mayoral Democratic Candidate Forum Session Two , March 31, 2023

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

Public Space

Answered X of 5

Should the city continue to dedicate both beverage tax revenue and capital funds toward renovating rec centers, libraries and playgrounds?

The city initially hoped to renovate 150 to 200 public spaces through the Rebuild program, which derives its funding from the soda tax, city capital funds, and grants — but the program’s current budget will only allow it to complete the 72 projects in the works.

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"Until there's another source of income, I support it [soda tax]".

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality and Tourism Industry, March 14, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I voted for [the beverage tax], but put in a resolution asking the administration to do an elasticity study showing that if we lower the tax, can we still get the same revenue and same jobs back in the city, which we should do."

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality and Tourism Industry, March 14, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"As Mayor, I will grow funding for the Rebuild program to revitalize, decarbonize, and grow our neighborhood public spaces. This is how we lift our city up, neighborhood by neighborhood, and make our residents feel like this city loves them back."

from Parks & Rec Heroes Fund
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Yes ... until we can find another recurring revenue source to fund Pre-K, Community Schools, the rebuilding of parks, rec centers, and libraries in a city with one of the oldest infrastructures particularly as it relates to our public amenities." in response to "do you support the sweetened beverage tax?"

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality and Tourism Industry, March 14, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"Our rec centers have long needed significant upgrades, and the communities that have benefited from such upgrades are stronger for it. However... we need to be more intentional in how we spend the soda tax money and need to keep revenue from the soda tax in an account separate from the General Fund."

from Parks & Rec Heroes Fund

Oh

David Oh (R)

“I fully support funding pre-K and Rebuild, but not through this discredited, regressive tax that disproportionately harms low-income residents."

from WHYY's PlanPhilly, Jan. 27, 2022

No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

Should the city allow private entities to operate on publicly owned property?

The city often enters into concession agreements to allow businesses to operate in parks or recreation centers — think the Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square. The city says these partnerships help repurpose underutilized space and generate revenue to help fund upkeep — but some have criticized the arrangements for blocking public access and prioritizing the needs of private entities.

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No candidates selected this answer

Should the city install permanent public restrooms in areas with high foot traffic?

Public restrooms in Philadelphia are few, which can be both inconvenient and a health hazard. The first permanent city-run public toilet is being installed in Center City as part of a five-year pilot project that will bring a “Portland Loo” to six neighborhoods over five years.

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Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

How should the city encourage more street trees?

Property owners can currently request free street trees, but owners are on the hook for maintenance and sidewalk repairs due to root damage. To increase tree cover in lower-income areas — which tend to have fewer trees and are therefore hotter — the city’s new Tree Plan recommends opt-out tree-planting along commercial corridors and more city responsibility for tree-related damage.

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"We must ensure that preserving and enhancing green space is an integral part of the city planning process... Leveraging the private sector by providing incentives for builders and developers that advance innovative strategies for protecting and expanding green spaces is one way to accomplish that."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

His "plan to protect Philadelphia’s forests and natural areas from further decline and support the growth of an equitable urban forest for future generations" includes eight steps

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I will fully support the goals of Philly Tree Plan and work with community groups to ensure that very community, but especially environmental justice neighborhoods, are fully represented and are able to add to their local tree canopy."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"I support strengthening standards for protecting heritage trees, preserving the existing canopy and increasing tree planting requirements for new development, as well as setting fees that will help support maintenance needs."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"Rhynhart's administration will...create a public dashboard to show the progress toward our goals for improving our tree canopy...will enforce the fees associated with removing trees for development... [providing] more resources to maintain and improve the current tree canopy."

from Campaign website

Oh

David Oh (R)

"I don't believe that the Green Living Plan will result in a 73 percent reduction [in crime]...We have to stop the violence and that is directly dealing with a small segment of the population that is intent on murdering other people."

from The Green Living Plan Mayoral Candidate Forum, March 29, 2023

Should the city fine property owners who don’t maintain accessible sidewalks adjacent to their properties?

Sidewalk maintenance is usually the responsibility of the owner of the adjacent property. If someone complains to the city about a sidewalk in need of repair, the Streets Department may notify the property owner, but there’s generally not a penalty if the owner doesn’t do anything about it.

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"Philadelphia has programs and policies to help homeowners who can not afford basic maintenance of their homes. I will support allowing these programs to also rebuild broken sidewalks and, through the Streets Department, coordinate road repairs with the needed work on sidewalks."

from 2023 Better Mobility Questionnaire
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"We will explore the creation of an annual fund to invest in sidewalk repairs for low-income property owners along critical routes for seniors and people with mobility impairments."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"By and large sidewalk repairs are the responsibility of property owners. As the poorest big city in America, we need to recognize the financial hardship many of our residents face. Therefore, my administration will develop a grant program to help low income property owners repair their sidewalks."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"Philadelphia’s sidewalks must be safe and usable for all pedestrians, from people with disabilities to families with strollers to joggers. We need a systematic sidewalk upgrade program that will work to ensure all sidewalks are level and maintained. My administration will increase funding to ensure our sidewalks meet the standard..."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

No candidates selected this answer

Quality Of Life

Answered X of 4

What should the city prioritize in its fight against illegal dumping?

The Streets Department announced plans to hire a fourth illegal dumping cleanup crew and install more cameras to catch dumpers, but critics say the city needs to do much more.

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"Illegal dumping...will be a day one priority for my administration. We will expand the presence of cameras in areas that are notorious dumping sites and we will prioritize prosecuting those violations. My administration will make it clear that we are putting an end to illegal dumping."

from Grid
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"We put cameras in that particular area so that we can see exactly who it is that's been dumping there ... There used to be police ... whose specific job was sanitation, so we'll bring that back where we'll give tickets and we will prosecute individuals that short dump."

from The Green Living Plan Mayoral Candidate Forum, March 29, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"It's not about cameras only. We actually do need detectives. We need to find out who is doing the dumping, not just recording the dumping."

from The Green Living Plan Mayoral Candidate Forum, March 9, 2023

Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"I will ... install monitoring capabilities at and around frequent dumping locations and dramatically increase the penalties for illegal dumping to include the loss of any professional licenses a company may have."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"We must increase funding to the ... Streets Department for their cameras to catch and penalize trash dumpers."

from Parker's Neighborhood Safety and Community Policing Plan , March 30, 2022

No candidates selected this answer

What’s the first step the city should take to address the city’s litter problem?

Philly is the only major U.S. metro without a citywide street sweeping program, and trash pickup has faced delays. The current Streets Department commissioner was previously head of L&I, a post he left soon after the deadly 2013 Market Street collapse.

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DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"As mayor, I would reinstate this very important cabinet position and task it to continue, undisturbed, their contribution to Philadelphia waste management and disposal."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"I would look to restore the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet, and give it the funding and resources it actually needs to be effective."

from Grid, March 1, 2023

Oh

David Oh (R)

Oh proposed a “Trash Force” to clean up neighborhoods "affected by the accumulation of trash and debris. New positions will be created in the streets department for the unemployed."

from Campaign website

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

"We must implement an aggressive blight removal plan and update our trash collection system. As a state elected official, I was able to collaborate with city officials to remove hundreds of abandoned vehicles. And, that work will not only continue but expand."

from Campaign website
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"I will clean up litter and trash throughout the city by working with the sanitation workers to offer them the support they have been lacking from the mayor’s office. I am proud to have been endorsed by DC 33 and look forward to working together."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"My top environmental priority as mayor will be to ensure that Philadelphia becomes a city that is cleaner and safer, through regular street and lot cleaning. "

from PhillyVoice, March 31, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"Expanding street cleaning and coordinating it with trash collection will immediately reduce the litter that is generated by improper storage of trash and the challenges of properly handling that trash."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

No candidates selected this answer

What should the city focus on to reduce illegal parking on sidewalks, in front of ADA curb cuts, and other prohibited spots?

Illegal parking is rampant in many areas of the city, with cars and trucks often forcing pedestrians to walk in traffic and making travel hazardous or impossible for people using wheelchairs or with mobility issues.

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"We should ... work with PPA to enforce illegal parking that constitutes a significant safety risk in areas beyond the existing enforcement zones."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"... I do think increased zoning of streets, and the tickets they bring for the non-compliant, as well as increased fines for parking at curb cuts, in crosswalks and bus stops, and on sidewalks, will dramatically reduce it."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"... hire civilian Public Safety Enforcement Officers ... These positions remain unfilled, and they must be filled as expeditiously as possible."

from Neighborhood Safety and Community Policing Plan, March 30, 2022
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

Rhynhart vowed to "enforce parking regulations by hiring and deploying unarmed Public Safety Enforcement Officers... advocate for the PPA to utilize parking enforcement technology, such as plate recognition software, to more efficiently identify violations and issue citations... develop a citywide parking plan with the goal to increase loading zones... [and] through significant improvements of 311...allow our residents to report instances of illegal parking..."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"One of the first things I will do as Mayor is to remove the over 40,000 abandoned cars from our streets and use their salvage value to pay for the cost of the operation. Additionally, I will work with the PPA to ... more expeditiously levy fines on those who park illegally."

from 5th Square: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire

No candidates selected this answer

What should be the top priority for expanding residents’ access to mental health resources?

The city and school district offer various programs to address residents’ mental health issues, but surveys suggest many are not getting the help they need.

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"Create a 24-hour access point in each geographic area of the city to help the most vulnerable and participants with co-occurring disorders of substance use mental health disorders and housing issues they would offer multi-level services."

from PHMC Mayoral Forum on Public Health, April 4, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"Philadelphia piloted the first non-police mobile mental health crisis units ... we have to get out of pilot phase and work on invest in the things that work."

from 100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum, March 30, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"That level of violence is traumatizing and we need to make sure as a government that we are providing behavioral health support therapy trauma treatment to individuals that are around the violence."

from PHMC Mayoral Forum on Public Health, April 4, 2023

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

No candidates selected this answer

Leadership

Answered X of 3

What’s the best leadership approach for the mayor of Philadelphia?

Candidates who agree with youCollapse answersExpand answers

Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"Great leaders are conveners, visionaries, and problem solvers. That’s my style of leadership."

from Philly Forward PAC: 2023 Primary Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"I will bring competence, I will bring collaboration, and I will bring compassion with me as my guiding values for for leadership in the mayor's office."

from Gloria Casarez Elementary Mayoral Forum, March 20, 2023
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"Collaboration ... you have to form alliances and build coalitions with people you never thought you would have to work with in orer to be successful," in response to "What do you need to do as mayor [to make your plans reality]?"

from Ultimate Job Interview, Feb. 22, 2023

What type of experience is most important in a mayor?

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Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"We need someone with experience helping people out of structural poverty. I have an incredible amount of experience: hiring 60,000 people in my business, helping hundreds of thousands of people as chairman of the State Workforce Board... I don't think anyone has managed the scale of the large union workforce like I have."

from Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, March 2, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

Oh

David Oh (R)

"Oh has consistently challenged the status quo by introducing forward-thinking legislation and taken bold action to solve the city’s problems."

from Campaign website
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"I am going to use my lived life experience ... and my intergovernmental experience at the state and local level to ensure that Philadelphia is the safest and cleanest and greenest big city in the U.S. ..."

from Growing Philadelphia: A Mayoral Candidate Forum on Technology, Innovation and Public Education, March 9, 2023

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

What kind of public persona will serve Philadelphia best?

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

Specifically, "detail focused."

from Domb campaign statement
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

In her campaign announcement, Gym called herself a "proven fighter" who would "protect the city that we call home."

from NBC10, Nov. 30, 2022
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

Governing

Answered X of 3

What’s the number one quality Philly’s mayor should look for when choosing staff and department heads?

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No candidates selected this answer

How does the structure of city bureaucracy need to change?

Currently, Philadelphia has over 100 departments and other agencies, which handle various aspects of government administration. Many are mandated by the city charter, but an administration also has the power to decide which bureaus and divisions exist within departments.

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No candidates selected this answer

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)
Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

Should there be a time cap on how long city-led pilot projects can run before a decision is made on their future?

Philadelphia launches lots of pilot programs to try out different initiatives, from mechanical street sweeping to a guaranteed income experiment, but they sometimes drag on with little visible further progress.

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Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"Put time frames in all the applications, put time frames in everything that we do as a city ... in the private sector time is money. In the public sector sometimes we don't respect it as much as we should. We need to."

from The Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality & Tourism, March 14, 2023

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

No candidates selected this answer

Neighborhood Issues

Answered X of 4

What should happen with law enforcement activity in Kensington?

Parts of Kensington are notorious for being hotspots for drug trafficking and gathering places for many struggling with illegal drug addiction, largely unchanged despite various police-led interventions attempted through the years, with and sometimes without the buy-in of community members calling for more resources.

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Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

Former District 9 Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker has recalled Operation Sunrise and said that the plan “showed that a strong, proactive police presence can help to make these communities more livable.”

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 12, 2023

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

Brown plans to send a “message to these drug dealers that we are coming to take that community back, in full force,” pledging an aggressive blight removal and beautification program among measures to “show the Kensington community that we do see you, we do care about you.”

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 13, 2023
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"We need to... [start] cracking down harder on opioid manufacturers and holding them accountable for the crisis they created. We also need more access to specialized drug courts and treatment to make sure people living with addiction get the help they need."

from Campaign website
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"There are many, many good organizations working there, and they need the funding and resources that a LIMS would provide. It would cut the red tape and get immediate help and services to all affected so we can get that neighborhood up and running better. We need to get ongoing mental health, drug treatment, crisis management, and PTSD treatment for those citizens. They deserve that."

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 13, 2023
Oh

David Oh (R)

"My administration will help drug-addicted persons who wish to escape drug addiction. We will not enable drug-addicted persons to remain in a life of misery here in Philadelphia. Laws will be enforced in Kensington."

from PhillyVoice, March 31, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"There needs to be a police response to break up the open-air drug market... There's a very successful strategy that's been used in other cities called Drug Market intervention, where police break up an open-air drug market by, yes, identifying the big drug traffickers, but for the lower level drug dealers offering them a way out of that lifestyle..."

from AL DÍA, Feb. 22, 2022

No candidates selected this answer

Domb

Allan Domb (D)

Domb's plan includes working "with federal, state and local authorities and healthcare providers to reduce supply of drugs," as well as providing "wrap-around services to reduce addiction and reduce demand."

from Domb campaign statement

Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"We’re going to invest in cleaning up and lighting our streets, remediating vacant lots, all these things have been proven to reduce crime and improve health."

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 13, 2023

What should be the top priority for addressing flooding in Eastwick?

Eastwick, in Southwest Philly, is one of the most flood-prone neighborhoods in the city. It’s often severely impacted by weather events that don’t qualify for state and federal support.

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Parker

Cherelle Parker (D)

"We need to bring in our partners at the state and federal level — like the Army Corps of Engineers — to help us assess the problem and bring greater resources to bear to save this neighborhood."

from Grid, March 1, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

"Current remediation efforts such as removal of contaminated soil, planting of trees and shrubs that serve as natural filters, etc., must be supported and expanded. My administration will also work closely with the Environmental Protection Agency, leveraging new grant funds..."

from Grid, March 2, 2023
DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"As mayor, I would ensure that City financial resources are directed to the City planners for use to develop policies and solutions to mitigate the flooding problem currently plaguing Eastwick that would protect homes, roadways and green spaces located in that community."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Domb

Allan Domb (D)

"... I will use some portion of the funding available to the city as part of the federal infrastructure bill passed in 2021 to improve the local infrastructure, including improved sewers, to handle any rainfall."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

"I will push the City to adopt a strong strategy to increase public engagement and understanding of the importance of mitigating flood risk. The recent flooding of 676 should be a wake-up call."

from Grid, March 1, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"The best and potentially only solution...is to build and maintain a levee. The City would have to identify which entity will maintain the levee and work directly with the Army Corps [of Engineers] to facilitate its construction."

from Grid, March 1, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

How should the city get involved with the redevelopment of the former refinery site in South Philly?

The former PES oil refinery in South Philly is being redeveloped into a life sciences and logistics hub, but residents are concerned with what they say is a lack of engagement, a “truck-intensive” development plan, and the possibility of fossil fuels remaining on site.

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No candidates selected this answer

Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

No candidates selected this answer

Should the Sixers be given the needed zoning approvals to build an arena at 10th and Market, as proposed?

The Philadelphia 76ers want to build an arena on part of the Center CIty site where the Fashion District currently stands. The proposal has drawn opposition from some residents, leaders, and business owners and gained support from others.

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No candidates selected this answer

Brown

Amen Brown (D)

"This is a great step in the right direction for the long-term goal to underscore Philly as a true gateway city.”

from News release from Pa. State Rep. Amen Brown, July 27, 2022
Brown

Jeff Brown (D)

“A project where the city doesn't invest any money and we get a big new employer is very intriguing, but... the Sixers need to listen to the concerns of Chinatown... For me to approve it, their concerns would have to be addressed.”

from Meet the Next Mayor: Connect with Candidates, March 8, 2023
Rhynhart

Rebecca Rhynhart (D)

"A project of this magnitude needs to be seriously considered given the jobs that it would create. However, there are many unanswered questions... I would convene the 76ers and Chinatown residents to discuss the project, the concerns, and chart the best path forward."

from PhillyVoice, March 31, 2023

No candidates selected this answer

DeLeon

James DeLeon (D)

"What you're looking at there is extreme gentrification. Even though that Stadium might be built in the year 2030, 2032, what's happening right now is that they have to make the roadway. The roadway that they have to make is what will take out Chinatown; that's why I'm totally against that particular project.”

from Meet the Next Mayor: Connect with Candidates, March 8, 2023
Gym

Helen Gym (D)

“There are important things that the mayor can and has to do right now to both revitalize East Market Street [and] make sure that neighborhoods and residential bases like Chinatown continue to grow, because our city’s future really does rely on a healthy residential Philadelphia.”

from The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 4, 2023

A political matchmaking quiz for Philly voters

Questions

Gun Violence

What type of crime prevention should be the city’s first priority for expansion or creation?

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How should the city handle curfews for teens?

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Should Philadelphia ask federal prosecutors to handle more of the city’s gun crime cases?

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What should the mayor do regarding “stop and frisk”?

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Should the city create a new Office of Public Safety with a cabinet-level director who City Council must approve?

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Education

Should the Philadelphia Board of Education authorize more charter schools?

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How should the Philadelphia school board be chosen?

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What kind of oversight should the mayor have regarding school facilities?

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How should the city subsidize tuition at the Community College of Philadelphia?

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Development & Infrastructure

What should be the city's top focus to encourage historic preservation?

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What action should the city take regarding the Philadelphia Land Bank?

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Should affordable units be mandated in large multi-family buildings?

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How should the city work to increase access to broadband internet?

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Transportation

Should the city offer discounts on public transit to residents with lower incomes?

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What should Philly do about protected bike lanes going forward?

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How should Philadelphia make it easier for buses to travel through the city?

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Should Philadelphia encourage building a subway or rail line along Roosevelt Boulevard?

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Housing

The city has far fewer subsidized affordable homes than residents who need them. How should the city work to create more?

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Should the city’s nationally renowned pandemic eviction diversion plan, which expires in 2024, be modified?

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What should the city do about the Homestead Exemption?

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What kind of property tax reform is most urgent for Philadelphia?

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Law Enforcement

Is a change needed in Philadelphia Police Department leadership?

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What’s the most effective way for Philadelphia to address police understaffing?

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What should be done with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office?

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What is your main concern about the implementation of the city’s Driving Equality Law?

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Arts & Entertainment

What is the top action the city can take to boost Philly’s arts economy?

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In the May primary, voters will get a chance to approve creating an Office of Music. What should be the office’s top priority?

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If state lawmakers pass legislation allowing municipalities to push last call to 4 a.m., should Philly give bar owners that option?

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What’s the first change the city should make to the process for creating restaurant streeteries?

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Economy & Workforce

What should the city do with its sweetened beverage or “soda” tax?

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How should the city wage tax change?

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What should be the city’s first move to address its municipal staffing crisis?

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What should be Philly’s priority to attract more companies that hire skilled workers?

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Public Space

Should the city continue to dedicate both beverage tax revenue and capital funds toward renovating rec centers, libraries and playgrounds?

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Should the city allow private entities to operate on publicly owned property?