Together, we can rebuild our city - focusing on the issues that matter most to the people to push us forward in becoming a stronger and better Philadelphia.
Public Safety & Justice
If Philadelphians do not feel safe to live, work or raise a family in the city, nothing else matters. If we don’t confront the gun violence and violent crime plaguing our city, we cannot expect our city and those who live and do business here to succeed and thrive.
In order to keep our communities safe, it is going to take a multi-efforted approach that focuses on prevention, community investment and accountability. There are a number of societal factors that contribute to crime in our communities. And, that is why we must invest in programs that provide youth services, community engagement, mental health care, housing support, job access and placement, and drug addiction treatment. By taking these preventive measures, it allows for people to have a fighting chance.
This city is bleeding literally and figuratively; and, we must put a stop to it. Those committing gun violence and violent crimes represent a small percentage of Philadelphia and must be held accountable for their actions. And, we need to make sure that police are able to focus their resources and time on arresting and prosecuting these dangerous criminals. Amen will continue to work with federal, state and local entities to ensure that we have the resources needed to invest in forensic services, technology and tactics, and trainings. Victims and their families deserve justice as well.
And, just because an individual is incarcerated, it does not mean that they should not be treated with dignity and respect.
For those incarcerated and those who interact with the criminal legal system, it is our responsibility as elected officials to make sure their human rights are protected, prison and jail conditions are just, and that individuals have access to the needed resources that will set them up for success when integrating back into society.
Representative Amen has advocated and worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to implement an indefinite suspension on a $5 copay charged to those incarcerated seeking medical care. Since that temporary suspension, he has been steadily working to make the effort permanent through legislative efforts. No one should ever have to worry about not seeking care because they cannot afford it.
Rep. Amen Brown has supported and championed additional legislative efforts to: expand clean slate law, invest in indigent defense, and more.
Quality of Life
We all should take pride in where we live. And, a part of that pride comes with our neighborhoods being clean. While serving as State Representative, Amen received hundreds of complaints about illegal dumping, trash collection, unkempt vacant properties, abandoned cars and blight. We must implement an aggressive blight removal plan and update our trash collection system. I have been able to collaborate with city officials to remove hundreds of abandoned vehicles. And, Amen looks forward to continuing that city and state partnership to clean up our neighborhoods.
Philadelphians have also experienced a decline in quality of life, with their safety being at risk, due to reckless ATV and dirtbike riding on roadways and sidewalks. From disrupting traffic to putting pedestrians physically at risk, there needs to be a change. Amen understands that ATV and dirtbike riding is a part of the Philadelphia culture for certain communities. However, reckless driving throughout the city and putting others, as well as the riders themselves, in harm’s way is not the answer and should be addressed. And, we can work with city officials to find vacant land to build a “ride” park for the culture to safely remain.
Housing
As the city grows, it is inevitable for development to take place. However, with development, it is important to make sure that communities are not displaced. The cost of living increases while pay is not necessarily increasing. Being able to obtain affordable, quality housing is an issue that is not just specific to those from low-income communities. We need real plans and real solutions, which include public-private partnerships. We can be using private funds to build mixed-income housing, incentivizing developers to build affordable housing. We can learn from other cities - identifying what worked and what didn’t to develop realistic solutions that center the people.
During the pandemic, many constituents were facing financial hardships and needed some relief as they got back on their feet. As a result, Amen introduced legistlation to halt sheriff sales and extend the moratorium so that families would not lose their homes, giving them more time to get caught up on their mortgages or unpaid taxes. We should be doing all we can to uplift and support those in times of need. And, homeowners deserve protections as well, which includes being able to receive tax benefits for working families to ensure housing security.
When discussing housing, we must also work to protect our seasoned citizens, as well as long term care residents. No one should be priced out of their home and community because they cannot afford rent or property taxes. We need innovative plans to protect everyday people.
Education
Investing in education, at all levels, must be a top priority and we must find the resources to ensure fair, equitable funding.
A child’s access to quality education should never be dependent on income, race, or zip code.
The proper allocation of resources is a must so that youth have the tools and support needed to thrive. That means fighting for funding for books and computers, building maintenance so children do not have to learn in environmentally toxic spaces, early childhood programs, after-school and enrichment programs, and more.
Having a strong educational foundation, regardless of school type, allows individuals to be better equipped to live a productive, quality life. And, investing in education does not just apply to traditional schooling. Investing in education also means investing in vocational programs, allowing for individuals to gain practical experience and technical skills.
Amen will continue to work with colleagues to develop innovative ways to address existing inequities within the school system and to secure and maintain funding for education. Amen will also fight to make sure that teachers are getting paid what they deserve and receive the training and resources needed to best serve the students.