Committee of Seventy

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March 10, 2023

Philly elections: The ballot begins to take shape

More than 90 candidates filed nominating petitions to run in the May 16 primary elections for Mayor, City Council, Sheriff, Register of Wills, City Commissioner and Controller (to fill the final two years of the term mayoral candidate Rebecca Rhynhart won in 2021). Seats on statewide appellate courts and Philadelphia’s local trial courts will also be on the ballot, as will four proposed changes to the Home Rule Charter. On Wednesday, city candidates will draw numbers from the “coffee can of destiny” that determine their ballot position, impacting their chances in the primary. After this, the City Commissioners will be tasked with designing the lengthy ballot that will be sent to mail-in voters in mid-April.

Time for a reboot: Part of the massive turnover in City Hall will include outgoing Council President Darrell Clarke, who consolidated substantial power in his office over the past decade. The Inquirer urges Clarke’s successor to “commit to more transparency, more debate, and less decentralization of major decisions that affect all Philadelphians.”

Before you vote: C70’s Philadelphia Primary Voter Guide is being updated in real time during this week’s window to challenge nomination petitions and add ballot questions. Other resources include the Lenfest Institute’s Every Voice, Every Vote initiative, which includes links to a voter toolkit, a table of endorsements and a listing of candidate forums.

Can Shapiro’s budget garner bipartisan support?

There’s been less contention in Harrisburg than in recent years after Gov. Shapiro unveiled his $44.4b budget proposal that boasts a mix of priorities with broad support: mental health, state police, workforce development, vocational training and public defenders. Shapiro also wants to tax marijuana, decrease some business taxes, increase property-tax and rent rebates for seniors, and raise the minimum wage. “There were a lot of things we can all get on board with,” Senate President Pro Tem Judy Ward (R-Westmoreland), said—before adding: “We just have to figure out how we’re gonna pay for those things.” The budget deadline is June 30.

And about schools: Last month’s state court mandate for more education funding was “a call to action,” Shapiro said in his budget address, and to meet it, he proposes a $1b increase in overall school funding. But that’s coupled with the elimination of a $225m aid program for the highest need districts.

More money for DOS: The budget calls for a 6 percent bump for the Department of State, which oversees elections and is now led by former C70 CEO Al Schmidt.

Caught Our Eye

It’s Civic Learning Week and we're highlighting the ways C70 is investing in the future of Pennsylvania's democracy. Learn more about our youth civics resources and programs.

City Hall Roll Call

On Our Radar

Democracy takes work: Writing in The Inquirer, Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence highlights the efforts of state and local elected officials to protect election integrity, voter access and civic engagement.

Charter crazy: Council President Darrell Clarke pushed through a controversial proposal to create a new, council-approved chief public safety officer, and with a questionable legislative maneuver before the final vote.

Zabel out: State Rep. Mike Zabel (D-Delaware) resigned after repeated sexual-harassment allegations surfaced in recent weeks, one of which led to expanded protections against such behavior in the PA House rules.

So is ‘Ya Fav Trashman’: Terrill Haigler won’t be on the May 16 ballot, having failed to collect the requisite number of nominating petition signatures. His mishandling of campaign funds may also land him in trouble with the city’s Ethics Board.

#FixHarrisburg: The PA Senate’s new legislative rules will continue to require members to post their monthly expense reports, but the PA Capital-Star reports that Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) wants them put in a digital format that’s more easily accessible.

Undemocratic Democrats: A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial slams the Allegheny County Democratic Committee for charging fees (up to $7500) to apply for its endorsements, calling it “a pay-to-play policy that undemocratically restricts the number of people who can realistically run for public office.” The Philly Democratic party does this too, and it should stop.

Events

Mayoral Candidates Forum on Tourism and Hospitality

Tues., March 14, 7 pm

Streaming on 6abc

Visit Philadelphia and the city’s major tourism and hospitality-industry organizations host the mayoral candidates as they share their visions for the future of this vital industry—hotels, restaurants, attractions, transportation and more—a major economic driver for the region and the second largest employer in Pennsylvania. 6abc news anchor Sarah Bloomquist is the moderator. Watch on 6abc’s live stream.

Understanding the Judicial Rating Process

Tues., April 4, 12-1 pm

Facebook Live

Seventy will welcome Matt Olesh and Chimdi Tuffs of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Campaign for Qualified Judges for a conversation about how the association issues ratings for judicial candidates, why these ratings matter, and what you can do to inform your community about judicial races this year. why these ratings matter and how to inform you community about them. RSVP on Facebook.

Get Involved

Poll Worker Training Sessions

Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 pm, Now through May 4th

Online

Seventy, the League of Women Voters and veteran poll workers have partnered as part of the Pennsylvania Poll Worker Project to offer resources and supplemental info sessions for individuals seeking to staff polling places on Election Day across Pennsylvania. (Note: These sessions are not official trainings from a County Board of Elections, and participants are not compensated for their attendance.) Learn more about our poll worker sessions, and sign up.

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