PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL IN REVIEW - MAY 2016

Looking back on Philadelphia City Council’s work and accomplishments from May 2016:

Philadelphia City Council’s legislative efforts from May included:

FY2017 Budget Hearings continued in City Council, including two additional days of testimony from the public, largely focused on the proposed sugary beverage tax. | Watch video of public testimony from May 4, May 18 | Watch a playlist of all FY2017 Budget Hearing videos
Councilwoman Cherelle Parker (9th District) introduced a resolution, later approved by all members of Council, urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to oppose legislation that would allow high-cost, long-term payday loans in the Commonwealth. | Read the resolution
At a very crowded and festive Council session in May, Council presented special resolutions honoring three hard-working teams: the 2016 NCAA Champion Villanova University Mens Basketball team and Coach Jay Wright, the state champion Julia R. Masterman School Odyssey of the Mind team, and Opera Philadelphia, nominated for Best Opera Company in the 2016 International Opera Awards. | Watch videos: Villanova Basketball, Masterman Odyssey of the Mind, Opera Philadelphia
Later in May, Council presented a special resolution to Philadelphia Police Officer Jesse Hartnett for “undeniable bravery, resilience and dedication to service in the face of mortal danger.” Hartnett was shot multiple times in an ambush attack in West Philadelphia in January 2016. | Watch video

Councilwoman Helen Gym (At Large), Councilman Allan Domb (At Large) and School Reform Commission Chair Majorie Neff led a round-table discussion with School District of Philadelphia students from all over the city at City Hall on May 11, 2016. The students listed the problems that years of budget cuts and under-staffing have wrought on city schools: out of date technology and textbooks, closed school libraries, cuts to art, music and extracurricular programs, fewer counselors and nurses, increases in violence and limited access safe drinking water. | More information in the Philadelphia Inquirer
Also in May, Councilwoman Gym led students from Solomon Elementary School in a march around City Hall against gun violence. After the march, the students met with Gym and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) in the Caucus Room to share personal stories about how gun violence has touched their lives.
Councilman Allan Domb began to make good on his campaign pledge to donate his entire council salary to Philadelphia schools. Domb held a conference at City Hall on May 18, 2016 during which he presented the first $2,500 checks to Harding Middle School, Webster Elementary School and Lewis Elkin Elementary School. Domb said that the donations to individual schools will continue through the year until he has donated his entire salary.