Letters to the Editor | July 9, 2025

Philadelphia’s striking workers are demonstrating the power of “we the people.” When people withhold their labor, trash fills the streets. Water main breaks don’t get fixed. Kids can’t cool off in public pools during a heat wave.

People’s labor is what makes this city — and this country — run. When we stop, we disrupt business as usual. We bring politicians to the table, make our demands heard, and create opportunities to win real change. Unlike street protests, striking makes a material difference in people’s lives.

A strong labor movement has always been critical in nonviolent campaigns that have historically brought down authoritarian regimes.

The July 7 article, “Worker strike not getting much attention outside of Philly,” notes the lack of traditional media coverage of this strike. I hope that changes soon. More people need to see what can happen when workers engage in a strategic, long-term strike to win specific, tangible demands.

There may come a time when people across the U.S. will be ready for a general strike to end the authoritarian regime in power. And the Philly workers strike just might be a lesson we can learn and build from.

Tamiko Beyer, Philadelphia

I am happy Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has the courage to stand up to the municipal employee unions in the same manner she has stood up to those special interests of Center City residents, shopkeepers, health professionals, and patients in approving the construction of a sports stadium in downtown Philadelphia. She has proven herself to be a fearless advocate for her patrons in the development industry, who, because of their lack of city residency, do not have the power of the ballot box to speak for themselves.

She continues to display that same fortitude by giving tax breaks to businesses at the expense of people who actually provide necessary services to our town. In doing so, she has expressed the possibility that her political future may be on the line. Therefore, we should pray for the wisdom to reward her for everything she has done thus far for the people of Philadelphia.

Coleman Poses, Philadelphia

Sorry, it’s not a tax cut. It’s an extension of a cut from the Trump administration’s first term. The bill is, however, a major legislative accomplishment in the transfer of wealth. We will transfer wealth from the poor to the rich by taking away healthcare and food supplements from the poor to extend the tax cuts that mostly were given to the wealthy. We will transfer wealth away from the future for our children and grandchildren to the present by adding to our staggering debt. We will transfer wealth from the benefits of a future of cleaner energy by moving away from wind and solar and going backward to coal, and we will move investments from a productive future of investments for health and education to major investments in cruelty by pushing money to more prisons like “Alligator Alcatraz,” which ensure an environment of division and fear instead of unity and optimism.

Let us hope this is the last, worst regressive budget bill in our history as we move to punish the Trump sycophants who moved this bill to his signature by defeating them at the ballot box.

Elliott Miller, Bala Cynwyd

So, the draconian cuts to Medicaid delivered by Donald Trump’s recently passed budget bill don’t take effect until 2027. This creates a golden opportunity for Democrats to tell voters, “If you elect a Democratic Congress in 2026, we will repeal these Medicaid cuts, but if you don’t, you will start experiencing them almost immediately after the 2026 election,” along with educating the millions of voters who are on insurance programs that don’t have the word Medicaid in the title but, in fact, are on Medicaid that this means them. For example, in Pennsylvania, if your insurance program is called “Medical Assistance” or “MA,” you are, in fact, on Medicaid, and you will be affected by these cuts. Of the Medicaid programs in the 50 states (plus D.C.), only four have the word Medicaid in the title; however, all of them are Medicaid programs attacked by this new law.

Democrats: This is low-hanging fruit. Please go get it.

Linda Falcao, North Wales

Once again, we experienced the nightmare of the exit routine at the sports complex in South Philly. It has become apparent to me that all the security staff want to do is get the lots empty with total disregard for the direction you need to go in. This creates added gridlock, causing a dangerous situation as drivers do K-turns to try and move in the right direction. Why, instead of continuing to make streets two-way, do they not open the entire street one way back in the direction of I-76 and I-95?

I have seen this work in many other stadiums in the country. It’s about time for Philadelphia to figure this out.

John Walker, Brigantine

Two pieces of good news recently serve as a counterpoint to the uncertainty and anxiety that have otherwise gripped our city. Just one year ago, the city was reeling from the news of the University of the Arts’ abrupt shutdown, upending the lives of students, faculty, and staff, and damaging the city’s creative economy. Since then, nearly all the university’s real estate has been acquired by new owners, whose announced plans promise to restore at least the creative energy that was lost when the university closed. To wit: Temple University has planted its flag on the Avenue of the Arts with its acquisition of the former Ritz-Carlton. Scout Ltd., which created the vibrant community of artists, makers, and small businesses at the former Bok School in South Philadelphia, intends to bring a similar concept to Hamilton and Furness Halls at Broad and Pine Streets. And the former Art Institute is now owned by the Curtis Institute, Philadelphia’s world-class music conservatory. Meanwhile, most of the university’s other properties have been acquired by residential developers who plan to upgrade dormitories into market-rate apartments. Also, the Wanamaker Building, fresh off the lamented departure of Macy’s, has been acquired by a development team that gives every indication it will respect the National Historic Landmark’s history and traditions, including the Wanamaker Organ, while refitting the upper floors for residential living. These good news stories tell us that our city, despite its myriad challenges, is still the place to be.

Paul Steinke, executive director, Preservation Alliance, Philadelphia

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