Dear Readers,
I’m going to be honest with you right up front — I’m about to ask you for money. I won’t do it yet, because I believe in good manners and I try to maintain some level of decorum in my actions. But know that “the ask” is coming.
My name is Larry McGlynn, and I am one of the founders of The Philadelphia Hall Monitor. You’re probably more familiar with my co-founders, city hall reporter Denise Clay-Murray and longtime consumer advocate Lance Haver.
Together, we are trying to provide something unique in Philadelphia: Reliable local news about our city council and consumer survival strategies — all viewed through the lens of reducing poverty and improving the lives of everyone in this city who isn’t wealthy.
I don’t think I need to provide a long answer on why we believe it’s important to address our city’s stark income disparity. So I’ll just say this: Philadelphia is the poorest big city in America. It’s also one of the wealthiest big cities in America, which sounds like an oxymoron.
City council news and consumer survival tips.
Your Philadelphia monitor.
The disparity between the rich and poor neighborhoods is shockingly apparent when you travel throughout the city. But it’s not like it’s an unsolvable problem. The city has the tools to chip away at this terrible inequity, but unaccountability and “business as usual” keep us locked into a predictable cycle.
As Denise often says, they should put “that’s the way we’ve always done it” on the city flag.
So what can The Philadelphia Hall Monitor do about this?
Our goal is to provide news and resources that can help Philadelphians reduce the burdens of poverty, create a greater sense of community in all our neighborhoods, and empower people to push for change.
We believe a reliable, local news source can help do this.
But we can’t do it alone.
And this is where I’m going to ask you for money. I feel very uncomfortable doing this, but it’s the only way The Philadelphia Hall Monitor can continue its coverage and grow.
Your support will allow us to keep reporting on key stories, such as the proposed water rate hike, which will affect every Philadelphian regardless of their ability to pay for it.
With your help, we can dig through the city budget to track how your tax dollars are being spent, and get vital information to the Philadelphians who need it most: seniors facing mounting property tax bills, people who don’t know about city programs that can help reduce their tax burden, and parents concerned about their children’s education.
We are dedicated to bringing you all this coverage and more, but I’m not going to lie: we need your financial support.
We’re a three-person team. Between us, we handle all of the reporting AND all of the challenges of running a small business. And we still need to pay our own bills.
That’s where you come in. If just 48 of the nearly 4800 people reading this newsletter right now pitch in $10 a month, we could make the Hall Monitor more sustainable.
Will you help us keep an eye on city council, so we can keep bringing you the news and consumer survival tips no one else is covering?
Thank you,
Larry McGlynn
Co-founder of The Philadelphia Hall Monitor
Our reporters sit through hours of city council meetings, dig through piles of documents, and ask tough questions other media overlook. Because we’re committed to addressing Philadelphia’s poverty crisis — and challenging those who sustain it. If you think this work is important too, please support our journalism.
We’re counting on readers like you.
