I’m running for mayor to make sure that everyone in our city shares in our success equally.

I believe we're living in a time of two Philadelphias.  One version of our city has world class restaurants and hotels, million dollar condos, special services districts to keep the sidewalks clean, and successful businesses and entrepreneurial co-working spaces in the shadow of the glittering Comcast Tower.  That city is growing, prosperous, and well policed.
But in the other Philadelphia, we fight over types of schools while too many children receive an education that leaves them ill-equipped to enter college or a 21st century workforce.  This version of Philadelphia is strangled by a 27% poverty rate and widespread joblessness, while we impose taxes that strangle existing business and scare new employment away.  In some communities, people don’t feel safe or respected enough by the police who protect them; while our police officers face ever increasing dangers on the streets. This Philly works hard and pays taxes, yet feels disconnected from and neglected by the political power structure.

I am running for mayor to eliminate the gap between these two versions of our city and make this One Philadelphia.

I am running for mayor to lift people out of poverty. I want to establish a municipal bank that will take a portion of the money we already invest and use it as capital that neighborhood businesses can access; in turn those businesses will hire people from their communities.  This will help revitalize commercial corridors long neglected by investment.  Additionally, we must move beyond “eds and meds” to realize Philly’s potential as an energy hub and the thousands of family sustaining jobs a hub would produce. Whether you have a GED or a PhD, whether you are returning from college or returning from prison, I want an economy that welcomes us all.
I am running for mayor to ensure a fair funding formula for public schools and charter reimbursement funds for public charters to make sure Philadelphia schools have the resources they need. Let’s end the argument over money so both traditional public and effective public charter schools can offer families real educational options.  I will expand access to pre-K, so every child can get a fair start and partner with CCP to extend high school two years so graduates are prepared for college or a career.
I am running for mayor to end Stop and Frisk and to change the culture of the police department from top to bottom.  Additionally, I am the only candidate who will establish zero tolerance for hate speech. Community policing is more than a policy, it’s a mindset and by providing police the tools and training they need, they are safer and community trust is restored. I am the sole candidate who elevated the nation’s policing crisis to the top of the mayoral agenda. 

When I look at my grandson, I understand clearly what’s at stake. This election will decide what kind of city we will be for the next decade and beyond. I believe we need to do more to make this one city, a city in which we all share equally in our successes and our challenges.  We can no longer tolerate living in a city where opportunity and prosperity are enjoyed by some, while others are left behind.  We are a city on the rise and we must make sure that everyone is lifted up.  On May 19th, I ask you to help me turn this vision into a reality for our city.  One city.  One Philadelphia.