City Hall Roll Call: February 15th, 2024
Tax Reform Commission Redux
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Welcome to City Hall Roll Call, a summary of City Council’s weekly Stated Meeting. Reminder, the information provided below is not an official or complete record. City Council’s official legislative database can be accessed through Legistar.
For a full play-by-play of the Council session, including speeches and public comment, be sure to follow me on Twitter.
Session Recap:
With a short final passage calendar, today’s Council session was a quick one. The most notable introductions were from Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd), who sponsored two resolutions that “reestablish the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission” and create a new “special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies.”
In a press release issued by his office, Council President Johnson stated
During my Investiture Address…I said we must reform our tax structure and regulatory environment to make our city more business friendly and economically competitive…[I]t is important to reconvene the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission to look at our various taxes in Philadelphia. We need a tax structure that encourages businesses to move into Philadelphia and, most importantly, stay in Philadelphia. I believe we can find a healthy and fair balance between providing tax relief for businesses, while also significantly investing in small businesses, which are the bedrock of our economy and our neighborhoods.
The original Tax Reform Commission was established through a Philadelphia Home Rule Charter referendum in 2002. The Commission issued a final report in 2003, but only a few of the recommendations were ultimately adopted. The Charter grants Council the authority to reconvene the commission by a 2/3 vote, which will likely take place at next week’s Council session on February 22nd.
The Tax Reform Commission will consist of fifteen (15) members. Four members appointed by the Mayor, four members appointed by the Council President, one member appointed by the City Controller and the remaining members by the various local Chambers of Commerce in Philadelphia.
The second resolution, to create City Council Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies,” would convene 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.” The Council President appoints the members to serve on this committee.
Other noteworthy introductions include that by Councilmember Jay Young (D-5th) who introduced a bill that would amend the city’s requirements to provide additional requirements regarding Economic Opportunity Plans that large scale developments are required to submit. Details of the bill are not yet available as of publication.
Council also authorized a series of public hearings on a variety of topics, including:
high teacher attrition rates and impact on student morale and outcomes (Thomas);
recent high profile violent incidents at middle and high-schools (Thomas);
existing guaranteed income pilot programs in Philadelphia and the potential for expansion (O’Rourke); and,
proposed solutions to racial disparities in the maternal mortality rate in Philadelphia. (Ahmad)
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, February 22nd at 10 AM.
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Subject Matter)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
🏗️ Construction / Zoning
Bill amending Philadelphia Code Chapter 17-1600 to define development projects and provide additional requirements for Economic Opportunity Plan approval. (Young)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 7th Councilmanic District. (Lozada)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Young)
💼 Business Regulation
Resolution creating a Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies. (Johnson)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing the installation of a streetery at 2401 E. Norris Street. (Squilla)
Bill establishing parking regulations, one way street and closure of right of way at 4th and Washington Avenue. (Squilla)
Bill establishing a permit parking program for disabled residents. (Squilla)
💸 Finance / Budget
Resolution reconvening the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission. (Johnson)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings regarding a recent report on high teacher attrition rates, understand its root causes, the impacts on teacher and student morale and student outcomes. (Thomas)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine recent high profile violent incidents between parents, faculty and students in middle schools and high schools. (Thomas)
Resolution urging United States Congress to pass the “Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act” to provide police the resources they need to combat violent crime. (Jones)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings to explore existing guaranteed income pilot programs in Philadelphia and examine the potential for expansion. (O’Rourke)
Resolution authorizing the Committee on Health to hold hearings to examine proposed solutions to racial disparities in the maternal mortality rate in Philadelphia. (Ahmad)
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Member)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st)
B: Authorizing the installation of a streetery at 2401 E. Norris Street.
B: Establishing parking regulations, one way street and closure of right of way at 4th and Washington Avenue.
B: Establishing a permit parking program for disabled residents.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
R: Reconvening the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission.
R: Creating a Special Committee on City and Private Sector Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
R: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
R: Urging United States Congress to pass the “Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act” to provide police the resources they need to combat violent crime.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
R: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
B: Amending Philadelphia Code Chapter 17-1600 to define development projects and provide additional requirements for Economic Opportunity Plan approval. (Young)
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
R: Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 7th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Nina Ahmad (D-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Health to hold hearings to examine proposed solutions to racial disparities in the maternal mortality rate in Philadelphia.
Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke (I-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings to explore existing guaranteed income pilot programs in Philadelphia and examine the potential for expansion.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
R: Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings regarding a recent report on high teacher attrition rates, the impacts on teacher and student morale and student outcomes.
R: Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine recent high profile violent incidents between parents, faculty and students in middle schools and high schools.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗺️ 240095 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2501, 2855, 2857 Amber Street; 2143, 2155, 2157 E. Birch Street; 2134, 2172 E. Cambria Street; 2103, 2107 E. Cumberland Street; 2107 E. Dakota Street; 2478, 2480 Emerald Street; 2022 E. Fletcher Street; 1929, 1935, 1943, 2215-17 E. Harold Street; 2637, 2639, 2643, 2645, 2649 Janney Street; 2536 Jasper Street; 2639, 2641, 2643, 2653 Kensington Avenue; 2068 E. Monmouth Street; 1844 E. Oakdale Street; 2140, 2151, 2153, 2156 E. Orleans Street; 2646, 2658 Ritter Street; 2089 E. Somerset Street; 2106, 2133, 2135, 2250, 2252 E. William Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🏆 240096 (Bass): Renaming the 6000 Block of Norwood Street “Frankie Beverly Way” to honor Frankie Beverly for his significant contributions to the music industry.
🏆 240### (Gauthier): Honoring the 18th Police District Tactical Squad for its valuable efforts to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety in West Philadelphia.
⚖️ 240### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings regarding a recent report on high teacher attrition rates, understand its root causes, the impacts on teacher and student morale and student outcomes.
⚖️ 240### (Thomas): Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to examine recent high profile violent incidents between parents, faculty and students in middle schools and high schools.
🏆 240### (Thomas): Honoring Champion of the Week educator Victoria Best, founder of Victoria Urban Outreach Tutoring Services.
🏆 240### (Landau): Recognizing Kurt Evans for his impact improving access to food, work with returning citizens and contributing to the vibrant Black food culture in Philadelphia.
⚖️ 240### (O’Rourke): Authorizing the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold hearings to explore existing guaranteed income pilot programs in Philadelphia and examine the potential for expansion.
🏆 240### (Bass): Honoring Renee Chenault Fattah for her unwavering commitment to excellence throughout her esteemed career.
⚖️ 240### (Ahmad): Authorizing the Committee on Health to hold hearings to examine proposed solutions to racial disparities in the maternal mortality rate in Philadelphia.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Tuesday, February 20th
Committee on Public Safety, 1:00 PM - the committee will hear testimony on legislation adding additional prohibitions on “Certain Gambling Machines and Skills Games.” (Bill No. 240010)
Wednesday, February 21st
Committee on Education, 10:00 AM - the committee will hear testimony on legislation to establish “Youth Name, Image, and Likeness Protections” (Bill No. 240007) and the practice of “leveling” and its impact on students and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia.
Friday, February 23rd
Committee on Licenses and Inspections, 10:00 AM - the committee will hear testimony on legislation to regulate the hours of operation of certain businesses located in a certain area of Kensington. (Bill No. 2400013).
Tuesday, February 27th
Committee on Rules, 10:00 AM - the committee will hear testimony on five bills amending the Zoning Code, including Bill No. 240020 which would mandate for the 8th and 9th Councilmanic Districts that RCO leadership be a full time permanent resident of the geographic area of concern.