QUESTION #1: Prohibition of casinos near residential areas
On April 14, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a preliminary injunction against this referendum, which will likely prevent it from appearing on the May 15 ballot. Considering the referendum had unanimous City Council support, the State Supreme Court deserves to be condemned for giving in to the Pennsylvania State Gaming Board. Attorneys for the Gaming Board argued that the referendum conflicted with state law which gives the Board total control over where casinos are built. But legal or not, it's a cowardly move on the part of the Board to take advantage of loopholes in zoning law which don't give Philadelphians a voice on such an important issue. If the referendum does somehow make its way onto the ballot, the DP Opinion Board supports its approval. While casinos may be excellent sources of revenue, they have the unfortunate tendency of bringing social ills along with dollars, which Philadelphia frankly cannot afford. VOTE: YES
QUESTION #2: Allow elected city officials to keep their current jobs when running for another public office
Although we don't advocate the practice of running while holding office, it is legal and done routinely at the federal level. Chaka Fattah, for example, was allowed to retain his congressional seat and take advantage of the considerable resources holding office offers - while Michael Nutter was forced to resign from City Council in order to run for mayor. In the interest of leveling the playing field for mayoral candidates, the DP Opinion Board supports this referendum. VOTE: YES
QUESTION #3: Creation of a Youth Commission to advise the City Council and the Mayor on issues affecting children and youth
While a Youth Commission would provide plenty of fantastic photo-ops for Philadelphia politicians, the idea of pre-teens advising City Hall is naive and misguided. Children can't vote for valid reasons; they certainly shouldn't be in the position of formulating policy. VOTE: NO
QUESTION #4: Six appointed members of the City Planning Commission must include an architect, an urban planner, a traffic engineer, an attorney experienced in land use issues, and two representatives of Philadelphia community groups
Effective, practical and professional city planning is crucial to addressing Philadelphia's problems and securing a better future. A Commission with appointed, highly qualified members would go a long toward achieving this worthwhile goal. VOTE: YES
QUESTION #5: Give the City Planning Commission the option of extending the time period for recommendations by 45 days
Unfortunately, not enough information was available to the DP Opinion Board to come to an informed opinion on this issue. In the future, Philadelphia must do a far better job of helping voters understand what is at stake with any given ballot question, and that information should be easily accessible. VOTE: ABSTAIN
QUESTION #6: Creation of an independent Zoning Code Commission which would recommend amendments to the Philadelphia Zoning Code
Philadelphia's zoning code, which hasn't been updated in 50 years, is in dire need of revision. Any measure towards making city planning and development more efficient is a step in the right direction. VOTE: YES
QUESTION #7: Urge the federal government to redeploy troops in Iraq out of harm's way
There are plenty of reasons to support the withdrawal of troops in Iraq, but a poorly worded referendum with no actual plan is a meaningless gesture which the city has little business making. VOTE: NO
QUESTION #8: Retain the current percentage-based method of real estate valuation instead of moving to a Full Valuation reassessment system
Full Valuation is a more precise method of tax assessment, and increased accuracy is always a good thing. That said, taxes will go up and the city must take steps to protect those who will be adversely affected by the change. VOTE: NO
QUESTION #9: Urge the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to deny the Philadelphia Gas Works' request for a base rate increase
PGW is a poorly structured company literally on the brink of collapse. Philadelphia should do what it can to solve its own problems, rather than facing the embarrassing situation of the state being forced to bail out its largest city. Increasing base rates may be a stopgap measure, but its also a necessary one. VOTE: NO
