Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition
Investing in Community
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
On Valentine’s day the Philadelphia Inquirer published this opinion piece by Philly Public Banking Coalition members, Peter Winslow and Stan Shapiro. The City has a pension fund of $8.4 billion, the article tells us. Just 2% of the current fund would yield $168 million to invest in targeted local projects, projects that would enhance the quality of life for residents… Continue reading "Bring Our Pension Money Home!"
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
Letter to the Editor by Ray Torres, published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on December 14, 2021 As we struggle to respond to gun violence in Philadelphia, and as tempers, blame, and recriminations heat up, a recurring theme is the need to invest in our communities. If every community in the city had well-resourced schools, libraries, rec centers, and parks, and… Continue reading "A public bank would keep resources in our community | LTE"
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
Letter to the Editor by Susan Windle, published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on October 12, 2021 It’s great to hear that the School District of Philadelphia has negotiated a lower interest rate for its $400 million borrowing plan (Oct. 8). But it’s worth asking who will benefit from that interest – which comes to a total of $203 million over… Continue reading "Public Bank Solution for School District Borrowing | LTE"
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
Letter to the Editor by Kay Lasker, published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on August 17, 2021 It is heartbreaking to learn that the country lost 41% of Black-owned businesses in the spring of 2020, and I applaud the African American Chamber of Commerce for supporting such businesses (Aug 12). I retired after 38 years as a small-business owner, so I… Continue reading "Support a Public Bank | LTE"
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
Editorial published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on July 7, 2021 Councilmember Derek Green’s proposal for a public bank is an idea that Philadelphia should consider. by The Editorial Board Published Jul 7, 2021 Philadelphia has been making little progress on promoting Black businesses despite many efforts. A public bank, an idea that got some traction in the 2019 City Council election, might… Continue reading "Public bank could help Philly overcome troubling racial wealth gap | Editorial"
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Letter to the Editor by Stan Pokras, published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on June 15, 2021 Can’t we trust our public officials and out civil servants to handle money at least as well (or better) that commercial firms? If anybody has any remaining belief that the private sector is more trustworthy than the public in handling our money, we need… Continue reading "Keep PSERS funds in public bank |LTE"
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
Letter to the editor by Deb Figart, published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on March 5, 2021 Vanessa Lowe and Stan Shapiro (“Bring our money home. Philly needs a public bank,” March 2) point to ethical and antidiscriminatory lending practices that a public banking authority would bring to Philadelphia. There are considerable economic benefits, too. The public bank would spur economic… Continue reading "Economic benefit of public banks"
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
Op Ed by Vanessa Lowe and Stan Shapiro, published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on March 2, 2021 Councilmember Derek Green has introduced the first bill in the country to create a city-owned bank. Solutions to the looming $450 million hole in the city budget have been narrowly focused on tax increases and cuts to essential services, but a public bank… Continue reading "Bring our money home. Philly needs a public bank. | Opinion"
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
Article in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Laura McCrystal and Sean Collins Walsh on January 28, 2019 Philadelphia City Council will consider establishing a public bank, a move that lawmakers and advocates say would fight systemic racism and boost the local economy by serving business owners of color. Councilmember Derek Green introduced legislation Thursday to establish a public bank as a city authority… Continue reading "Philly will consider establishing a public bank in an effort to boost Black-owned businesses"
By Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition on
Letter to the Editor by Beth Finn, published in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Oct. 25, 2020 In reference to “Billions in aid funds are untouched” (Oct. 20), it is sobering to learn that of all the states and municipalities in the country, only Illinois and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority have taken advantage of the opportunity to get funding from… Continue reading "Public bank could help businesses get federal aid"