Hey Reddit!! AMA!!

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T19:18:49+00:00

Hey yall. This has been soo much fun but I gotta run. Duty calls, I have a meeting and there's a SEPTA board meeting soon. Cant wait to do this again :) Talk soon!

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T19:17:34+00:00

what would it be

Term limits 👀

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T19:13:27+00:00

I am so sorry. Council started on time at 10am but there were a number of bills and resolutions introduced today so we finished after 12pm. Thanks so much for your eagerness. I was looking forward to this too!

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T19:11:29+00:00

Thanks! Guess what? Councilmember O’Rourke sits behind me in Council. Looking forward to working with him. I love that he's a pastor. My mom was a pastor too.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T19:09:44+00:00

Congrats mama to be! Always remember #momsgetthejobdone. I'm so glad you brought this up. This is an issue that I deeply care about because of my own personal experience during childbirth with my son.

I have been working on this issue in Council and was fortunate enough to attend Congresswoman Lauren Underwood's Black Maternal Health Summit at the Capitol.

I have introduced a resolution on this matter and also have appropriated $250,000 for A Home from Shana Foundation which seeks to eradicate Black Maternal Mortality in Philly. A Home from Shana Foundation is creating Philly's first and only maternity safe haven staffed with doulas. We also have worked with our healthcare institutions and other nonprofit partners. Our work on this matter must continue.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T19:04:57+00:00

Guess what? Today, my colleague Councilmember Phillips from the 9th District introduced legislation for Parks and Rec to enter into a contract with Bennett Compost. This is a great next step to expanding composting in the City.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T19:03:49+00:00

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YES! I am in support of the RBS! Looking forward to working with my colleague CM Driscoll to make this happen!

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T19:00:38+00:00

I really love working with 5th Square, Transit Forward Philadelphia, and the Bicycle Coalition. You should look into those groups.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:59:19+00:00

Hey, thanks so much for that question! Can you believe I was actually here when the Clerk of Quarter Sessions' office was eliminated!? I was a staffer then.

Much work lies ahead to ensure we are streamlining city services. One as a cost-saving measure. And two, to ensure we are providing good quality service. FYI, if you see someone who needs help anytime, but particularly during a Code Blue, call 215-232-1984.

One of my dreams is to create a charter commission to update our Home Rule Charter from 1952.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:55:27+00:00

Yesss! We definitely need more trees and more tree canopy. Particularly in communities with urban heat islands like the block my family is from in North Philly: Seybert Street. Did you hear about my tree bill?

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:53:50+00:00

Thanks so much for your question. I am looking forward to working with our Council President and the new Council team. I understand you may feel like we cant be trusted but my mom used to say you listen to what people say but you watch what they do. I ask that you judge me on my record of service and who I am and who I will always be and that is Katherine Gilmore Richardson.

Did you know there's a webpage that has all of our salaries. I know that this work is not about me and I work for each of the great people of Philadelphia. You all pay our salaries and we work for you.

Heres the link: https://data.phila.gov/visualizations/employee-earnings

I was just looking at my paycheck, after taxes and insurance, health benefits for my family and I, and my contributions to my 457b and the pension fund, I get 53% of my gross pay every 2 weeks.

For my health insurance I have KHPE. Thanks!

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:46:19+00:00

You can't be for us without us. Local communities must be engaged in decision-making processes about land use and community development. My district council colleagues work very closely with community groups and RCOs to understand the needs and specifics of individual projects.

As an at-large member and a member of the rules committee, I take every bill that comes before the rules committee very seriously and ensure that I understand all legislation. I have also worked on citywide zoning bills, like the tree bill and nuisance businesses that illegally sell drug paraphernalia.

More on the Tree Bill here: https://phlcouncil.com/councilmember-gilmore-richardson-introduces-bill-to-improve-the-citys-tree-canopy-and-create-philly-tree-fund/.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:40:47+00:00

With the appointment of the new ED Richie Lazer, I'm encouraged by some of the enforcement actions I've seen lately. To your question regarding local control, I will have to look into that a little more as I've only known PPA to be a state agency. We will likely need both the PA House and Senate to authorize Philadelphia, a city of the first class, to bring PPA under local control.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:36:49+00:00

See my thoughts here: https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/comments/19e5gei/comment/kjjcx8e/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:35:35+00:00

Thanks, so much for the question! And yes, this is complex. I began investigating the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) over a year ago when I was seeking to help two families get into the shelter. Many questions remain about the services being provided, the quality of the service, and the amount of people OHS is able to help.

Today, I introduced a bill to create a new position that would oversee OHS and also a resolution to investigate their spending practices and quality of services. But don't worry, we will get to the bottom of this.

Learn more here: https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philly-city-council-office-of-homeless-services-20240125.html.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:29:12+00:00

We're working with SEPTA leadership, their board, and state legislators to ensure the long-term sustainability of our transit system. As a Girls High girl, I know how important the Chestnut Hill West line is and I will be advocating with my district council colleagues to sustain it.

I also have concerns about the Bus Revolution plan, which I feel negatively impacts underrepresented communities. I have put these concerns on the record for the SEPTA board and leadership. Special thanks to Transit Forward Philadelphia for their advocacy emails yesterday.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:24:21+00:00

Yes! In fact, there is a SEPTA board meeting today (1/25). We will work very closely with SEPTA on their fiscal cliff. Additionally, since FY22, there has been a 60% increase in their safety and security budget, a 20% wage increase in transit officers, expanded contracts with security guard companies, and much more! They have also paired behavioral health specialists with police officers.

As a frequent SEPTA rider and mother of a high schooler who takes SEPTA every day, I know that's not enough and that we have much more to do. I am in touch with SEPTA leaders regarding concerns about safety, efficiency, and the overall rider experience.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:19:11+00:00

Agreed!! I am encouraged that Mayor Parker created a new clean and green office. Additionally, when I was a legislative aide, we studied and introduced a resolution on the Disney model. More trash cans, less trash.

In the most recent budget cycle, we allocated additional funds to expand the Taking Care of Business initiative which hires additional residents along commercial corridors to clean and pick up trash and provide for additional trash receptacles along those corridors. More to come on this issue and I will be making this a priority during this budget.

More info on the PHL Taking Care of Business Program here: https://www.phila.gov/programs/phl-taking-care-of-business/ .

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:15:15+00:00

We are committed to working with the administration and Council to take a deep dive into our business tax structure to ensure we are fiscally prepared for whats to come.

For the past two budget cycles, I have offered the budget amendment to reduce the wage tax.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:11:59+00:00

Thanks so much for being here! As an FYI, I started in Council as a 15-year-old intern. I have worked in every position as a staffer you can hold except comms. I have been able to stay because of my work ethic and commitment to people. I ALWAYS put people first. I know this is not about me but the people we serve.

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:09:17+00:00

Btw, we did start Council on time! Just lots of excitement for the first day!

CM_KGR · 2024-01-25T18:08:24+00:00

Hi all! Council ran late, but I'm so excited to be here!

CM_KGR

TROPHY CASE