This package of bills includes the Whistleblower Protections Bill and bills strengthening candidate disclosure requirements, as well as making technical changes to the City’s campaign finance rules.
PHILADELPHIA, June 9, 2022 – Today, City Council voted unanimously in favor of a series of bills that address ethical matters including limiting how much can be spent by campaign vendors on behalf of candidates for City office, increasing protections for individuals who file complaints with the Board of Ethics (“whistleblowers”) and prohibiting retaliation against them, as well as a bill making technical changes and cleaning up language related to the City’s campaign spending and fundraising laws.
Under Bill No. 220049, candidates seeking municipally held public office would be expressly prohibited from spending more than $12,000 in expenditures through anyone other than their designated campaign committee to properly maintain all political financial activity, disclosures, and contributions. Bill No. 220361 updates and simplifies the Code’s language for the section entitled, ‘Political Contributions and Expenditures.’ Finally, Bill No. 220360 enhances existing protections against retaliation for individuals – “whistleblowers” – who file complaints with or seek advice from the Board of Ethics. In addition, the ordinance also prohibits interference with Board of Ethics proceedings or investigations following such complaints. All three bills, sponsored by Councilmember Derek Green (At-Large) as part of his larger ‘Civics Legislative Agenda,’ passed unanimously; centering on eliminating barriers to encourage more civic engagement among Philadelphians.
“This package of bills comes during a very challenging time for us as City; a time when more action, involvement, and engagement is desperately needed. That is why it is of paramount importance that we as elected officials, particularly those of us who are policymakers, do everything in our power to preserve democracy through legislation that will promote trust in leadership and afford everyone equal opportunities to make their voices heard in the democratic process,” said Councilmember Green. “I am grateful to my colleagues, as well as the Board of Ethics, for their support of this legislation and what I hope is just the start of more impactful changes for our City.”
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