200 Meeeeelllion Dollars

Jonathan Tannenwald: Although I have no problem with the rainy day fund idea, I'd give it to SEPTA. As bloated as the agency is, there's no question that SEPTA needs serious financial help. A big cash contribution from the city would be a major statement of the city's priorities and of the importance of public transit to the region. Public transit should be something that people want to use. It is so in many other cities across the country. Furthermore, this city is laid out in a way such that many who live close to Center City shouldn't need cars. But people end up with them because there isn't sufficient public transit to get people around the city.

Star C. Foster: Education, education, education. I'd love to see the money divided up among the school system and external programs that support education (such as Philadelphia Reads) and child enrichment (like Curtain Call Creations), or even establish some scholarship funds. Education is one area that can never be over-funded.

Jim Genzano: Our biggest problem in Philly these days seems to be an increase in violence on the streets, especially shootings. I'd like to see the money go toward funding programs for solving this issue - and I don't just mean more cops on the streets (although that's probably not a bad start). No, the more important part of the equation is prevention. The money needs to go to education, after school programs, and to rebuilding ruined neighborhoods. Alternatively, if the city just wants to give the money to me, I could sure use a rocket car and a solid gold house.

Jill Ivey: Puppies and kittens for everybody! In all seriousness, though, SEPTA could use it. As could the city's shelter system. Those people curled up in doorways and over subway grates deserve roofs over their heads, too.

Gillian Neff: I went to Philadelphia Public School my entire life. And let me tell you, they are shit holes. I went to some of the BETTER schools in the city -- Robert E. Lamberton and Philadelphia H.S. for Girls -- yet we still didn't have toilet paper or doors on our bathroom stalls. And the state of the text books were insane. I received a copy of Julius Caesar that was literally from the 1930s AND had a whole section of pages missing. If we have a surplus, how could there possibly be any better investment than putting it towards our own children? Failing that, could we PLEASE pave Girard Ave already?

Rebecca Rindler: I'd put some of the surplus back into the arts - nonprofit arts organizations are a huge cultural draw that give back to the city in myriad ways. A reserve to ensure no more city budget cuts for the arts in Philly would mean a lot to the organizations that rely on that funding. But I'd save at least $10 million for a "bike-friendly Philly" campaign - more bike lanes, public education about bike safety, and ads encouraging more people to bike around Philly. A bike traffic jam beats a backup on Broad Street any day.