jobless: Philadelphia Metropolis

Philadelphia 2012

On the week of Mayor Nutter's inauguration, Metropolis takes an in-depth look at Nutter's leadership and the prospects for this second term. In Part Two, we examine the larger trends that define the state of the city in 2011. Read on about the good, the bad and the ugly forces at work in Philadelphia. (Comments)

Answer No. 2: The Continuing Loss of Jobs

To begin with, Ed Rendell was right. When he was mayor, he placed a major bet on convention and tourism as a way to produce jobs for the city.  The bet paid off, there are now more people employed today... (Comments)

Answer No. 1: The Unemployment Rate

Although the Great Recession of 2008 has been declared over, it sure doesn't feel that way. City tax revenues were down in the first quarter of this fiscal year, due mostly to lower collection of the wage and sales tax... (Comments)

That Sinking Feeling

Why do I get a sinking feeling when looking at the numbers for the Philadelphia economy?  Nationally, economists are debating whether the recession is about to return. It looks like it already has landed in Philadelphia. All the major indices... (Comments)

The Post-Recession Blues

Philadelphia is having a case of the blahs. I'd call it a post-recession depression. The latest Pew poll calls it a "downward drift" in Philadelphians attitudes about their city and its government. It's easy to pinpoint why if you look... (Comments)