PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A VARIETY OF LEGISLATION DURING THE FEBRUARY 29 CITY COUNCIL SESSION
Philadelphia City Council members overwhelmingly approved two resolutions sponsored by City Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) that will reestablish the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission plus create a new Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies.
Resolution #240107 creates City Council’s Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies, also known as DEI policies, to examine the impact of such policies and to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to enhance City policy effectiveness in the promotion of minority, women-owned and disabled-owned business in Philadelphia.
While minority, women, and disabled-owned businesses (M/W/DSBEs) play a vital role in providing thousands of jobs in Philadelphia, vibrant commercial corridors, and revenue that directly supports City functions, disparities in opportunity and barriers to entry persist. The City of Philadelphia and some private sector participants have developed DEI policies, but barriers still exist that prevent M/W/DSBEs from competing in our local economy.
The Special Committee’s duties would include, but not be confined to convening regular meetings for planning and coordination; tracking the City’s progress in addressing barriers for M/W/DSBEs; examining the efficacy of current programs and policies; identifying regional and national best practices; and holding public hearings to obtain public input.
The Council President will appoint the members of the Special Committee. The Special Committee will also submit a full report to the Council and the Mayor and make its findings and recommendations available to the public.
During the public comment section of the City Council session, Regina Hairston, President/ CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce for PA, NJ, and DE; Jeff Hornstein, Executive Director, Economy League; Donna Allie, Founder/Owner of Team Clean, Inc; and Thomas Webster, Co-Founder & Chief Program Officer, Black Squirrel Collaborative all testified in support of Resolution #240107.
Resolution #240108 will reconvene the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission and its Advisory Committee to conduct an updated comprehensive analysis of all taxes imposed in Philadelphia, including by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and to make recommendations concerning tax reforms. The Commission is supported by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker.
It has been over 20 years since the original Tax Reform Commission issued its final report.
Within 30 days after the adoption of this Tax Reform Commission resolution, the 15 members of the Tax Reform Commission shall be selected, according to Section 3-805 of the Home Rule Charter. Four members each are appointed by the Mayor and Council President, one member shall be appointed by the City Controller, and the remaining members (one each) are selected by various local Chambers of Commerce in Philadelphia.
The Commission’s Advisory Committee shall consist of 23 members appointed by a cross section of various community organizations in Philadelphia. If any organization ceases to exist or refuses to make an appointment, the members of the Commission shall by a majority vote designate an organization of a similar nature to make an appointment.
During the Council session, lawmakers also approved the following resolutions:
- Resolutions #240103 (Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, 3rd District), #240111 (Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, 7th District) and #240112 (Councilmember Jeffery Young, 5th District) transferring properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank in their Council Districts.
- Resolution #240109 (Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., 4th District) that calls on the United States Congress to pass the bipartisan Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act which will give law enforcement the support they need to investigate violent crime and increase the closure rate of homicide cases.
COUNCILMEMBER RUE LANDAU INTRODUCES CONSUMER PROTECTION ORDINANCE FOR PHILADELPHIA
At-Large Councilmember Rue Landau introduced a bill this week that would establish a comprehensive Consumer Protection Ordinance in Philadelphia. The legislation, sent for introduction by Mayor Parker’s administration, will ensure that more working people across Philadelphia are shielded from unfair and deceptive business practices.
Philadelphia currently depends on the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, which allows enforcement through either the Attorney General or the District Attorney. The absence of a specialized local mechanism within the Mayor’s chain of command exposes Philadelphians to the adverse effects of fraudulent activities.
The Consumer Protection Ordinance empowers the Law Department to investigate potential violations, working alongside an agency designated by the mayor. If violations are found, the Law Department can take swift action in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, seeking remedies such as injunctive relief, civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation, and compensatory damages and restitution for affected consumers.
The legislation will be referred to a Committee for a hearing. No date for the hearings has been set yet.
FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD ON MARCH 1 FOR THE LATE CHIEF CLERK MICHAEL DECKER
Philadelphia City Councilmembers, staffers, family, and friends attended funeral services for Decker on March 1 at Holy Innocents Church in Juniata.
Decker, 58, started with City Council in January 1988 and was elected Chief Clerk in September 2009 during the late Council President Anna Verna’s tenure. He succeeded former Chief Clerk Pat Rafferty after her retirement.
He served as Chief Clerk under three Council Presidents—Verna, former Council President Darrell Clarke, and President Johnson until his untimely passing.
Councilmembers also approved a Resolution at the February 29 Council session remembering the life and legacy of Decker. It was sponsored by Councilmember Brian O’Neill (10th District), who has served on City Council since January 1980 and is currently the longest-serving member of Council. The resolution was given to the Decker family at the March 1 funeral service.
In honor of Decker, the podium he stood behind in City Council every week for decades was draped in black cloth this week. During this week’s Council session, Councilmembers and staff stood for a moment of silence in his honor. President Johnson, Minority Leader Kendra Brooks (At-Large) and Councilmembers Jones, Young, Thomas, Gauthier, and Lozada also spoke of Decker’s love and dedication to City Council.
Johnson also announced that Elizabeth “Liz” McCollum-Nazario will be interim Chief Clerk in the wake of the death of Decker two weeks ago.
She first started serving in City Council in November 2006 as the Chief of Staff to former Philadelphia City Councilmember Danny Savage, who represented the Seventh District for a few years. When Savage lost reelection in 2007, McCollum started serving in the Clerk’s Office in January 2008 and rose to the rank of Administrative Assistant. McCollum has agreed to come back to the office at this important time.
Council’s chief clerk is in charge of recording legislation, ensuring Council meetings follow legislative rules, and handling a variety of other administrative tasks.
PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ARE LEADING A PUSH TO GET MORE BLACK MALES REGISTERED TO VOTE THIS YEAR
Philadelphia City Council Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas (At-Large) is leading an effort to register 2,024 Black male voters between the ages of 18 and 40, ahead of the November general election. One of the purposes of this nonpartisan “Black Males Vote” initiative is to boost turnout among Black male voters.
Supporting the effort are Councilmembers Anthony Phillips (9th District), Young, Nicolas O’Rourke (At-Large) and Philadelphia City Commissioners Chairman Omar Sabir. Phillips, Young, O’Rourke and Thomas are all Black males in their 30’s.
The announcement was made this week in front of the Octavius Catto statue outside City Hall. Catto, a 19th-century civil rights activist and abolitionist in Philadelphia, was assassinated on election day in 1871, the first election that allowed Black men to vote.
Pennsylvania is poised to play a crucial role in this year’s presidential election. Pennsylvanians have until April 8 to be registered to vote in the April 23 Democratic and Republican primaries. Residents also have until October 21 to register to vote to be eligible to vote in the November 5 General Election.
Pennsylvanians will elect a president, U.S. Senator, all members of Congress, members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, Attorney General, Treasurer and Auditor General.
For additional information on the Black Males Vote campaign, contact Thomas office at (215) 686-3446 or (215) 686-3447. The public can sign a pledge to register to vote by going here.
LISTEN TO “SATURDAYS WITH CITY COUNCIL” ON WURD RADIO THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 2 FROM 10 AM-11 AM
Philadelphia City Council has a show on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) twice a month called “Saturdays with Council.” The show features City Council members discussing issues impacting Philadelphia. The next show is Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and it will be hosted by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District).
Listen to the show at 900 AM/96.1 FM in Philadelphia or online here. https://wurdradio.com/
The next Meeting of City Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 10 a.m. The Meeting will take place in person in Council’s Chambers on the 4th floor of Council. It will also air on Xfinity Ch. 64, Fios Channel 40, and stream at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch.
