Philadelphia Voters Make Commission On African-American Males Permanent
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Of the ballot questions in Tuesday's election, voters statewide did agree to formally abolish Philadelphia Traffic Court -- and voters in Philadelphia elected to make the Commission on African-American Males a permanent part of city government.
The Commission was convened by former mayor Michael Nutter in 2009 and has looked at issues such as violence, education and economic disparity, and criminal justice, that impact African-American men and boys disproportionately. With Nutter's term ending, Councilman Curtis Jones sponsored the bill for the ballot question to make it permanent.
"They've raised some interesting questions," he said. "Now it's time to turn the corner and come up with solutions."
Jones is pleased with the results.
"With everything that was going on, I'm appreciative of the voters paying attention to the ballot question," he said.
Jones says it had broad appeal because it not only tackles an important social issue -- but also holds promise for tax savings on police and prisons.