City Hall Roll Call: February 6th, 2025
Brooks Introduces Worker Protections Bill
Welcome to Thursday’s City Hall Roll Call, powered by The Committee of Seventy.
Subscribe to the Committee of Seventy's newsletter for weekly news and insights on local elections, redistricting, and efforts to improve our state and local government, all delivered directly to your inbox.
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 Blue Sky.
Session Recap:
Yesterday’s Council got off to a scheduled late start due to the no-show snowstorm that was expected to hit the city. The extra hour gave Council the opportunity to dress up chambers, and themselves in Eagles green in support of our NFC Champions as they head into the Super Bowl on Sunday. No roll call vote was necessary to guarantee the Eagles a super-majority of support from Councilmembers (16-1), with Councilmember Jim Harrity (D-AL) the sole dissent as a well-documented Chiefs fan. Cheers quickly turned to boos for Harrity, when Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd) so graciously reminded visitors of where Harrity’s football loyalties lie.
The most notable action taken yesterday was the introduction of the “POWER Act” by Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL). The bill name, “Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights,” expands the power of the City’s Office of Worker Protections to enforce the array of worker protection ordinances on the books, including:
Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces;
Wage Theft Complaints;
Protections for Domestic Workers;
Fair Workweek Employment Standards;
Wrongful Discharge from Parking Employment; and,
Protecting Victims of Retaliation.
The new chapter would allow any worker, person or organization “on behalf of a Worker or group of Workers” to file a complaint with the city’s designated enforcement agency regarding a suspected violation of any of the aforementioned ordinances. Under the proposed law, complainants would have three years from the date they knew, or should have known the violation occurred to file the complaint.
Upon receipt of the complaint, the enforcement agency would have the power to investigate the allegations, make a determination regarding whether there were actual violations and “seek penalties and fines for violations of the Worker Protection Ordinances and to provide or obtain appropriate relief, as set forth in each Worker Protection Ordinance.” A thirty (30) day right of appeal to the City of Philadelphia Board of Labor Standards is provided. The bill also grants the City the right to pursue enforcement of the determination in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Other noteworthy provisions of the bill include the following measures.
Bad Actors Database
Under the POWER Act, the Office of Worker Protections is required to furnish to City Council a list of employers that have received determinations of multiple violations of Workplace Protection ordinances. “City Council will publish such information on a publicly available website, known as the “Bad Actors Database.” The published information shall include: the name and address of the employer, the type of workplace involved, the number of complaints filed against the employer, the worker protection law that was violated and the date the determination or order against the employer became final.
License Revocation and Procurement Penalties
The legislation also authorized the Office of Worker Protections to notify the Departments of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) and Procurement of businesses who qualify for the “Bad Actors Database.” The bill grants L&I the authority “to deny an application for or revoke a commercial activity license or any other license of any employer” who qualify for inclusion on the “Bad Actors Database.” Procurement is authorized to deem similarly positioned employers “Ineligible for any future City contract.” The legislation also mandates that City contracts “shall contain a provision that the contract shall be revocable at the City’s option if the person entering into the contract with the City shall meet the criteria…” of the Bad Actor’s Database.
Centralized Portable Benefits System
While the enforcement provisions of the POWER Act apply to all workers and worker protection laws in the city, the bill includes a number of provisions specifically geared towards domestic workers. One of those provisions requires the Office of Worker Protections to develop “a centralized portable benefits system” for domestic workers. The bill provides, “The centralized portable benefits system shall allow for: recording and dispersing paid leave time earned by domestic workers on an aggregated basis for work performed for multiple hiring entities; collecting funds from hiring entities to pay for such leave time; and developing the infrastructure to administer portable access to such funds for domestic workers who earn such leave time.”
The concept of portable benefits has grown increasingly prominent with the growth of the “gig-economy,” where individuals may hold a number of different jobs, effectively working full-time in a non-traditional employment role. As written, the POWER Act’s requirement for a centralized portable benefits system appears to apply only to domestic workers.
Worker Justice Fund
The POWER Act also authorizes the Office of Worker Protections to establish a “worker justice fund that would support workers who have suffered economically, physically, or emotionally because of retaliation. The Enforcement Agency shall have the power to implement and operate this fund by determining eligibility, procedure, and payment processes for the fund.” While Council cannot directly appropriate General Fund dollars into the fund outside of the budget process, the bill notes that it is Council’s intent that the fund be funded from the monetary penalties collected for violations of Worker Protection Ordinances.
Next Steps
Clocking in at a whopping forty-five (45) pages, the robust POWER Act will be scheduled for a committee hearing, likely before the Committee on Labor and Civil Service. The bill is co-sponsored by 12 councilmembers, which is a strong signal for the support of the bill’s stated goals of expanding worker protections. Given the complexity of the bill, the number of industries impacted and general enforcement logistics, it is highly likely that there will be amendments to the bill during the committee process once stakeholders, both business and labor, have had a further chance to review and weigh-in.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, February 13th at 10AM. Go birds!
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.
🏠 Housing
Bill amending Chapter 6-800 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled “Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification” to clarify the deadline for filing certain actions. (Young)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill amending Bill No. 240182, approved June 14, 2024 entitled, “An Ordinance to Adopt a Capital Program for the six fiscal years 2025 through 2030 inclusive,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY 2025 capital budget ordinance. (Johnson / Admin.)
Bill authorizing transfers and appropriations for fiscal year 2025 from the Grants Revenue Fund to the General Fund. (Johnson / Admin.)
Bill amending Bill No. 240181…by revising various appropriations amounts and totals. (Johnson / Admin.)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the transfer of City owned land located in the 5th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank. (Young)
Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2271 North Phillips Street, located in the 7th Councilmanic district, in accordance with the terms of chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia code. (Lozada)
Resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2248 Ruffner Street, located in the 8th Councilmanic District. (Bass)
💼 Business Regulation
Bill amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions,” by revising Chapter 9-4100, entitled “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces,” Chapter 9-4300, entitled “Wage Theft Complaints,” and Chapter 9-4500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Protections for Domestic Workers,” and by adding new chapters, entitled “Protecting Victims of Retaliation” and “Enforcement of Worker Protection Ordinances,” to add and revise definitions; remove provisions related to the wage theft coordinator; add requirements and remedies related to written contracts, meal times and breaks, leave time, contract termination, and other protections for domestic workers; establish for claims of retaliation under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700 of The Philadelphia Code (“Wrongful Discharge from Parking Employment”) the elements of proof and procedures, remedies and penalties for enforcement; authorize creation of a worker justice fund for victims of retaliation; add requirements for employer record keeping and provision of notice of employee rights under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700; revise and clarify procedures, remedies and penalties associated with administrative and civil enforcement under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700; provide for annual reporting to Council on enforcement of the City’s worker protection laws, including information regarding noncompliant employers; authorize revocation of City licenses and contracts awarded to employers found in violation of the City’s worker protection laws; authorize visa and deferred action certification on behalf of immigrant workers; and make related technical changes. (Brooks)
🚦Streets
Bill establishing parking regulations in 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Bill establishing parking regulations in 1st Councilmanic District. (Squilla)
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City to acquire from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a perpetual right and easement on over and across a certain tract of land at the intersection of Southampton Road and Roosevelt Boulevard for roadway and related improvements. (O’Neill)
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Streets Commissioner, on behalf of the city, to own and maintain a bridge to be constructed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to carry Byberry Road over certain railroad tracks…and placing said bridge carrying Byberry Road on the city plan, pursuant to the terms of an agreement between the city and PennDOT. (O’Neill)
Bill amending Chapter 11-200 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Openings and Excavations in the Streets,” to impose additional penalties, penalties on violators of underground permitting requirements. (Harrity)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Joint Committees on Children and Youth and Education to review the Parent University 2.0 website. (Jones)
Resolution urging Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit, an essential anti-poverty initiative that has drastically cut child poverty and benefited millions of families. (Landau)
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: Establishing parking regulations in 1st Councilmanic District.
B: Establishing parking regulations in 1st Councilmanic District.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
B: Amending Bill No. 240182, approved June 14, 2024 entitled, “An Ordinance to Adopt a Capital Program for the six fiscal years 2025 through 2030 inclusive,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY 2025 capital budget ordinance.
B: Authorizing transfers and appropriations for fiscal year 2025 from the Grants Revenue Fund to the General Fund.
B: Amending Bill No. 240181…by revising various appropriations amounts and totals.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
R: Authorizing the Joint Committees on Children and Youth and Education to review the Parent University 2.0 website.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
B: Amending Chapter 6-800 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled “Lead Paint Disclosure and Certification” to clarify the deadline for filing certain actions.
R: Authorizing the transfer of City owned land located in the 5th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Land Bank.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
R: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2271 North Phillips Street, located in the 7th Councilmanic district, in accordance with the terms of chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia code.
Councilmember Cindy Bass (D-8th)
R: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2248 Ruffner Street, located in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City to acquire from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a perpetual right and easement on over and across a certain tract of land at the intersection of Southampton Road and Roosevelt Boulevard for roadway and related improvements.
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property and the Streets Commissioner, on behalf of the city, to own and maintain a bridge to be constructed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to carry Byberry Road over certain railroad tracks…and placing said bridge carrying Byberry Road on the city plan, pursuant to the terms of an agreement between the city and PennDOT.
Councilmember Kendra Brooks (I-AL)
B: Amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions,” by revising Chapter 9-4100, entitled “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces,” Chapter 9-4300, entitled “Wage Theft Complaints,” and Chapter 9-4500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Protections for Domestic Workers,” and by adding new chapters, entitled “Protecting Victims of Retaliation” and “Enforcement of Worker Protection Ordinances,” to add and revise definitions; remove provisions related to the wage theft coordinator; add requirements and remedies related to written contracts, meal times and breaks, leave time, contract termination, and other protections for domestic workers; establish for claims of retaliation under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700 of The Philadelphia Code (“Wrongful Discharge from Parking Employment”) the elements of proof and procedures, remedies and penalties for enforcement; authorize creation of a worker justice fund for victims of retaliation; add requirements for employer record keeping and provision of notice of employee rights under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700; revise and clarify procedures, remedies and penalties associated with administrative and civil enforcement under above-referenced chapters and Chapter 9-4700; provide for annual reporting to Council on enforcement of the City’s worker protection laws, including information regarding noncompliant employers; authorize revocation of City licenses and contracts awarded to employers found in violation of the City’s worker protection laws; authorize visa and deferred action certification on behalf of immigrant workers; and make related technical changes.
Councilmember Jim Harrity (D-AL)
B: Amending Chapter 11-200 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Openings and Excavations in the Streets,” to impose additional penalties, penalties on violators of underground permitting requirements.
Councilmember Rue Landau (D-AL)
R: Urging Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit, an essential anti-poverty initiative that has drastically cut child poverty and benefited millions of families.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗺️ 240054 (Gauthier): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 719 S. 51st Street, 1124 S. 56th Street, and 1218 N. 41st Street in the Third Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 241144 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1212 S 17th St; 1317 and 1511 S 20th St; 1904 S 23rd St; 1216 S 31st St; 1911 Gerritt St; 1932 and 2044 Titan St located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🏆 250022 (Young): Also naming N. 10th Street between Oxford Street and Master Street as “Paula Peebles Way.”
🗣️ 250058 (O’Rourke): Declaring 2025 as the Year of Cooperatives in Philadelphia and calling on the City of Philadelphia to explore all options to support the development and resilience of local cooperative businesses.
🏆 250### (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month in the city of Philadelphia.
🏆 250### (Thomas): Commending the collaborative efforts of Students Against Period Poverty and the Philadelphia Youth Commission to expand awareness and access to menstrual health products, and affirming that Council will work to ensure equitable and easy access to menstrual health products within the city's public schools.
🏆 250### (Thomas): Honoring the life and legacy of Tyler Sabapathy, a beloved Temple University student.
🏆 250### (Jones): Honoring and recognizing places of importance in Philadelphia's Black history during Black History Month for their contributions to the community and efforts in preserving history.
⚖️ 250### (Jones): Authorizing the Joint Committees on Children and Youth and Education to review the Parent University 2.0 website.
🏆 250### (Johnson): Thanking the Philadelphia Museum of Art for presenting the “Time as Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure,” an impactful exhibit that honors and celebrates the rich contributions of the Black and African diasporic experience.
🏆 250### (Lozada): Recognizing and celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Philadelphia Fashion Week for its significant contribution to the enrichment of the city's fashion community and the advancement of the creative economy.
🏆 250### (Lozada): Recognizing and honoring Robert Falls for his exceptional service to the United States Navy and the city of Philadelphia.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Recognizing and celebrating the Washer Woman Strike of 1881, a Black, women led worker movement fighting for better wages, dignity and labor protections on the occasion of Black History Month.
🏆 250### (Harrity): Recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Community Outreach Committee, PCOC, for their dedication to public safety and community revitalization.
🏆 250### (O’Neill): Honoring and congratulating the St Joe's Preparatory High School Football Team for their success in winning the PIAA6, a state championship.
🏆 250### (Bass): Recognizing the month of February 2025, as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.”
🏆 250### (Bass): Honoring the work of Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative PASHI) and artisans, volunteers, students and supporters of PASHI for their selfless contributions and commitment to both local and international communities.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Tuesday, February 11th
Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless - 10AM, the committee will hold hearings on how setting affordable housing program eligibility according to the metric of regional Area Median Income (AMI) fails to reflect the true state of housing affordability needs of Philadelphians