Reverend Jerome Fordham
President, Philadelphia Freedom Fighters
Chapter, National Action Network
As each of us finds our way to the polls in these troubled times, it is more urgent than ever. So do your part and make a plan to vote on May 17, 2022. People of color let us be intentional.
Question 1: Proposed Charter Change 1
The first ballot question is a Proposed Charter Change. The City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment hears cases about zoning permit decisions. Usually, the question is whether to allow exceptions to zoning rules. This ballot question suggests that the number of Zoning Board members be increased from five to seven and that appointees be confirmed by City Council. It would also require that the board include an urban planner, an architect, a lawyer with zoning experience, a person with experience in the construction industry, and at least two recognized leaders from community organizations.
In addition, all board members would also need to have shown “sensitivity to community concerns regarding development and protection of the character of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.”
Voting “YES” for this question means that you approve of the adjustment to the Zoning board’s composition mentioned in the ballot question.
If you vote “NO,” it means that you want the composition of the Zoning Board of Adjustment to remain the same with five mayoral appointees without any specific qualifications.
Question 4: Proposed Charter Change 4
This question asks if The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter should be amended to establish the Fair Housing Commission as an independent commission. Currently, the City’s Fair Housing Commission administers and enforces laws related to unfair rental practices and other issues affecting landlords and tenants. Although it has operated for many years as part of the City’s government, it has not been made a part of the formal City Charter.
If you vote “YES” this means that you want to make the Fair Housing Commission more permanent by including it in the City’s Charter.
If you vote “NO” this means that you do not want the Fair Housing Commission to be a permanent part of the City’s Charter.
US Senate
Every state has two seats in the U.S. Senate. In addition to sponsoring and passing legislation, senators confirm or reject presidential nominations for Justices of the Supreme Court, federal judges, cabinet officers, and more. Senate terms are for six years.
Senator Casey is not up for reelection this year. Senator Pat Toomey is not running for reelection. Candidates from both parties are running to be chosen as the nominee for their party in the general election in November 2022.
US House of Representatives
Each representative is elected to a two-year term and serves the people of a specific congressional district by introducing bills and serving on committees, among other duties. They have offices in Washington, DC and in their congressional district.
Governor
The Governor is the highest-ranking official in state government. The Governor enforces laws, signs or vetoes bills, oversees the Pennsylvania National Guard, and can call for special sessions of the state legislature. The Governor can issue executive orders that impact things like health care and education.
The Governor is elected every four years, and can serve two, four-year terms. Gov. Tom Wolf cannot seek reelection because of term limits.
Pennsylvanians will elect a new governor who will have a huge impact on the direction the state takes on economic issues, as well as voting laws, school funding, and more.
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor is the Governor’s second-in-command, and the job includes directing statewide emergency management policies, chairing the Board of Pardons, and presiding over the state Senate.
Pa General Assembly-State Senators and State Representatives
In Pennsylvania, we have 203 state representatives and 50 state senators. We elect 23 Representative and 7-Senators from Philadelphia. The senators and representatives make up the General Assembly. State representatives are elected every 2-years, and your state senator is elected every 4-years.
Do you care about disability benefits, school funding, utilities-gas, electric, water, special education support, gun laws, senior care programs or small business grants? Your State Senators and State Representatives address those issues in Harrisburg for you.
Please vote on May 17, 2022 for candidates who will represent you in Washington DC or Harrisburg and do not forget the ballot questions.
