Philadelphia County is one of the most populated counties in Pennsylvania, boasting over 1.5 million people currently living within its boundaries. In the wake of an increasingly complex political landscape, county representatives are looking to the public for innovative ideas to set them apart and make Philadelphia a thriving, vibrant place to live.
With locals in mind, Philadelphia County recently unveiled a slate of initiatives designed to maximize the county’s potential for growth. This effort includes expanding access to quality health care, improving mental health services and developing better educational opportunities for children living in under-resourced communities. An essential part of this plan is creating more employment opportunities and support systems that inspire entrepreneurship in high-poverty areas.
The county has also taken steps to strengthen its commitment to public safety by increasing police presence in crime-ridden neighborhoods, providing better tools to tackle the opioid crisis and increasing funding for treatment facilities and other services designed to support individuals struggling with addiction.
The government’s efforts don’t stop there – they’re also working hard to come up with creative solutions on how to achieve more effective transportation systems, develop better housing options, preserve green spaces and protect our environment. They are now investing in projects designed around smart urban planning which encourages the integration of civic and private sector facilities in one central location, making life easier for residents who want a one-stop shop for different services.
Overall, Philadelphia County’s government continues to emphasize their core mission: “Making life better for our citizens” – a motto that can be seen as a much needed reminder that every decision made at the County level should be based on how it will benefit those living there first and foremost. With initiatives that reach beyond just words, Philly has so far committed itself to making positive changes for its residents and hopefully continue to strive for success and revolutionary ideas into the future.
The City of Philadelphia has long been renowned as a hot bed of innovative political ideas and continues to remain at the forefront of shaping changes in the public sphere. In recent years, Philadelphia’s county government has been focusing on ambitious policy reforms that have proven effective in many other cities across the U.S.
Philadelphia County Council President Darrell L. Clarke and Mayor Jim Kenney are working side-by-side to make autonomous vehicles available for Philadelphians, including plans to facilitate the production of self-driving cars and tech meetings. The initiative, underway since May 2017, will soon expand across the entire city, with five autonomous vehicle test sites located around the area.
Additionally, the County is actively supporting a pay-by-mile tax program for those using public roads: A flat fee per mile driven would help eliminate income tax disparities in a way that is both compliant with federal regulations and equitable to all vehicles users. The ultimate goal is to bring fairness and accountability to how people use public roads and funds. This could prove an effective solution for reducing traffic congestion and funding bridges/highways maintenance.
To improve public safety, the county is weighing plans to require all passenger vehicles to be equipped with automatic crash notification devices. A team from the University of Pennsylvania began researching this innovation during 2019, with a goal of implementing new infrastructure requirements for all vehicles registered in Philadelphia County by 2020.
Finally, Philadelphia County also plans to reduce food insecurity amongst its residents by increasing access and availability of healthy foods in poor neighborhoods. For example, the Countys vegetable-leasing program makes it easier for local farmers – particularly small businesses – to produce healthy foods while offering them to those who need it most at an affordable price.
Between these four initiatives alone, Philadelphia County is clearly setting itself apart as a model region of government innovation within the U.S., leading nearby cities to follow suit in pursuing similar reforms. With diverse ideas and impressive results already being seen within its borders, Philadelphia County certainly stands out among other municipalities seeking tangible ways of improving their governing system to better serve their citizens!