What's Better for Teachers is Better for Our City

Philadelphia’s public school teachers have been fighting for a fair contract for far too long. I stand in solidarity with them.

While teachers work without a contract, we are misallocating enormous sums to keep thousands of people in jail who aren’t violent criminals or serious repeat offenders. It costs $40,000 a year per inmate. That’s nearly a starting teacher’s salary.

The city also paid out $12.8 million in lawsuit settlements for police misconduct in 2016 — a fairly typical year. If not for these payouts, we could hire well over 200 more teachers, or raise pay and benefits to retain the ones we have.

If our justice system in Philadelphia didn't hold thousands of in jail solely because they cannot afford bail while awaiting trial, we might well be able to reach a contract with our public school teachers.

We’re driving some of our best teachers away by depriving them the security of a fair contract, and packing our kids into overcrowded classrooms. At the same time we waste millions on over-imprisonment. Better schools lead to reduced crime, a safer city, and a stronger tax base to support even better schools.

Teachers are some of the most overworked and underpaid public servants in our community. They hold our children’s future in their hands. As a product of public schools, I support our teachers demanding an equitable contract.

Krasner at Tax March Philly: Stand up for your rights!

Civil rights lawyer (and candidate for Philadelphia District Attorney) Larry Krasner speaks at Tax March Philly. This is what it would mean to have truly progressive elected officials in key local offices during the age of Trump. Share it on Facebook!

Tax march: Protesters in Philly call on Trump to release tax returns | Philadelphia Inquirer
Whatever happened to Trump's tax returns? | Al Dia

Facts, Not Favoritism

As District Attorney, I won’t tolerate double standards. The law applies equally to all, regardless of livelihood. While it is inappropriate for any candidate to pre-judge a case under consideration by the District Attorney’s Office, this article clearly points to the need for a District Attorney who will look closely at the facts and act without favoritism.

See article: 
Off-duty cop ran over Danny Dimitri. Was there drag racing? 
(Mike Newall, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 24, 2017)

Pursuing Death Does Not Equal Justice

Florida State Attorney Aramis Ayala yesterday took a courageous and reasonable step in using her discretion not to pursue the death penalty in homicide matters. I applaud her decision because she recognizes, as I do, that pursuing the death penalty is “not in the best interests of this community or in the best interests of justice."

Unfortunately, my fellow candidates have declined to pledge the same, despite the fact that Philadelphia is the only northeastern city where pursuing the death penalty is still possible, and despite evidence that capital punishment has cost our city and state a billion dollars since the 1970s. This money would be better spent on public education, social workers, and addiction treatment programs, things that prevent crime and actually do make us safer.  In human terms, this money is the equivalent of 500 new public school teachers per year statewide every year since the 1970s.

Finally, it is worth remembering that since 1962 no one in Pennsylvania has been executed against their will, while six people on death row have been exonerated.

An obligation to seek justice

The District Attorney’s first priority is providing equal justice for all, regardless of skin color. It’s just as true when it comes to the color of a uniform.

Vice journalist Daniel Denvir’s story, Why Cops Don’t Get Charged When They Lie, clearly outlines why the District Attorney’s Office must be taken in a new direction. While there are excellent attorneys in that office, there is also a culture that allows a small number of Philadelphia police officers to deprive the people of our city of their right to equal justice and to tarnish the majority of officers who uphold their oath to defend the Constitution and faithfully serve the public.

Mr. Denvir’s story also clearly demonstrates that there are officers who break the so-called ‘Blue Wall of Silence’ by doing the right thing. They are to be commended. The District Attorney’s Office needs to have their back. The silence (and sometimes the word) of my fellow candidates on this issue is revealing.

I have been pursuing Section 1983 lawsuits against police for police abuse, corruption, and false convictions for over 30 years. District Attorneys work under an ethical obligation to seek justice, and a constitutional limitation that requires disclosing exculpatory information (e.g. prior deception by witnesses that is known to the prosecutor).

If I am elected District Attorney, officers who lie in police paperwork and those who lie under oath would be disqualified from testifying.