Vol. II No. 70 (230)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
May 24, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
Tax Reformers
COUNCIL MEMBERS Bill Green, left, and Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, right, received a national award for their efforts to fix Phila.’s system of business taxes. See story page 3.
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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar May 24Phoenix Salon & Spa hosts Women Empowering Women benefit for Project H.O.M.E., 1600 Arch St., 6-9 p.m. Tickets $60 advance, $75 at door. For info Lauren Millner (215) 232-7272, ext. 3045. May 27Free Clothing and Items Giveaway at Mt. Hebron Baptist Ch., 141519 Wharton St. Bring your own shopping bags/carts. Items for men, kids, babies, ladies, home. For info (215) 336-8163. Rev. R. Johnson Waller, Jr., Pastor, Sister CP Love, Missionaries Director. Jun. 3Fundraising Banquet to purchase Asian Service Bldg. at Ocean City Restaurant, 234 N. 9th St., 6:30 p.m. For info Chairman Mohan Parmer (215) 317-8262.
Jun. 4Badges of Honor 5 K run in Fairmount Park at 9 a.m. kicked off by Police Commissioner Ramsey, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, Prison Commissioner Louis Giorla and Mayor Michael Nutter. Jun. 16American Diabetes Ass’n honors Michael A. Rashid, president of AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Cos., as 2011 Father of the Year honoree at 1200 Awards Dinner at Loews Hotel, cocktail reception 5:30 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m. Jul. 10Benefit for Women Veterans hosted by Cathy Santos at Mom’s Kitchen Table Garden Courtyard, 2317 Ridge Ave., 4-9 p. m. For info Cathy Santos (215) 834-4228.
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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
24 MAY, 2011
2001 Tax Reform Commission’s recommendations.” The text of the award reads: “The Greater Philadelphia Address St AIPAC Conference Chapter Local Taxation and Legislation Committee honors regional leaders who have demonstrated a comU.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), chairman of the Near mitment to advancing local tax policies that are both Eastern & South & Central Asian Affairs Subcommitsimple and fair and that encourage economic growth tee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was the and activity.” keynote speaker at the closing plenary session of the AIPAC Policy Conference this morning. AIPAC is the The BPT currently consists of two components: a powerful and dominant pro-Israeli lobby in Washing- 6.45% net income tax and a 0.1415% gross receipts tax. ton. The net income tax is paid primarily by Philadelphia-
Casey Delivers Keynote
based businesses, whereas the gross receipts tax is paid by all businesses that make sales in Philadelphia, whether or not they are based in the city.
Accountants Pay Tribute To Green, Quiñones-Sánchez
The Council Members’ BPT reform proposal, which was recognized with the award, was for a revenue-neuFor Work On Tax Reform tral, phased elimination of the net income tax, an inCity Council members Bill Green (D) and Maria crease in the gross receipts tax to 0.53%, and Quiñones-Sánchez (D) were honored on May 20 by the exemption from taxation of a business’ first $100K in Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania In- receipts (resulting in up to 50,000 current business taxstitute of Certified Public Accountants, which pre- payers having $0 business tax liability). sented them with the “Outstanding Achievement in Tax Reform Award 2011” for their ongoing efforts to reform Philadelphia’s business privilege tax. Kitchen, Community Legal “We are humbled and honored to be recognized by Services Offer Seminar On these local experts, who know better than anyone the Paying Court Costs necessity of reforming Philadelphia’s current business tax structure, which puts Philadelphia businesses at a State Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-N. Phila.) and Commucompetitive disadvantage,” Quiñones-Sánchez re- nity Legal Services are offering a free seminar to help marked. individuals who owe or may owe criminal court costs and fines. “The recognition of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the PICPA is like getting the Good Housekeeping The free seminar, “Culture of Collection: The New Seal of Approval,” Green added. “We’re immensely Court Payment System”, takes place on Thursday, May thankful for their support.” 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lehigh Senior Center, Building 6 in the Lehigh Pavilion, 1701 W. Lehigh Avenue. In presenting the award to the Council Members, Bob Hornick, the chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Attendees can find out if they owe money, how much Chapter’s Local Taxation & Legislation Committee, of- they owe and how they can make payments. fered his perspective that “the [Green/Sanchez] BPT proposal is the best Philadelphia tax proposal since the The Philadelphia Courts have recently stepped up col24 MAY, 2011
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lection efforts for individuals owing costs, fines, super- Improved index readings for job opportunities in vision fees, restitution and bail to the criminal courts. Philadelphia are reflective of the 13% decrease in the One in five Philadelphians owe money to the court. unemployment rate for 20-24-year-olds nationally over this same period last year. Total non-farm jobs in the “Individuals who are not current with their costs risk city are up 0.85% from April 2010 and 1.43% from loss of public benefits, wage garnishment, sheriff’s sale April 2009, indicating continued improvement in the and other financial consequences. Forgoing this debt is local job market. Total jobs in the region also increased not a risk worth taking,” Kitchen said. “There are affrom last year, with a 0.12% increase in the number of fordable options and payment plans. I encourage everyjobs in the Metropolitan Statistical Area. one who owes payment to the courts to attend this free seminar and learn the steps they need to take.” Along with an economic outlook for recent college For more information, call Community Legal Services graduates, this month’s economic report also features a at (215) 227-2400, email rvallas@clsphila.org or visit snapshot of tax revenues for the city. April’s City and PICA tax collections totaled $363 million. This amount www.senatorkitchen.com marked a 5.9% decrease from April 2010, but a 9.7% increase from last month.
College Grads Enter A Better Labor Market City Controller Alan Butkovitz yesterday released his monthly economic report that shows this month’s online job postings in the Philadelphia area were 28% higher than they were in April 2010; suggesting recent college graduates are realizing more job opportunities than last year’s graduates.
The Controller’s economic report is compiled on a monthly basis and includes an Economic Snapshot & Forecast, as well as real estate information and other local statistics. These reports are circulated every month to assist key decision-makers in understanding and anticipating local and national economic trends. Both of these documents are a useful tool for policymakers and analysts in understanding our regional and local economy.
By reviewing the latest Monster Local Employment To view the Economic Forecast & Monthly Snapshot, Index, an analysis of employer online recruiter activity, please visit the City Controller’s Web site at 19 of the 21 industries included in the index increased www.philadelphiacontroller.org. online job posting activity in the Philadelphia area since last year. Some of the industries that had increases included the following:
Procurement Dept. Reaches
Industry
%change
Life, Physical & Soc. Sciences
43.2
Healthcare, Practitioners and Technical
35.3
Bus. & Financial Operations
16.9
Educ., Training & Library
15.4
Comp. & Math
12.9
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Accord With Contractor On Discrimination The City’s Procurement Dept. and the Office of Economic Opportunity have reached an agreement with the general contracting firm of Ernest J. Bock & Sons, Inc. to address alleged irregularities identified in the City Controller’s Auditor’s Report of July 2010 concerning
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
24 MAY, 2011
EBS’s compliance with the City’s Antidiscrimination Policy, and the City’s administration and enforcement of the Policy in connection with the construction of the building exterior and certain interior work for the new “connector” building between Terminals D and E and the Philadelphia International Airport.
or form. We said more than three years ago that it was a new day, and this agreement demonstrates our resolve. We mean what we say.”
City Procurement Commissioner Hugh Ortman said, “We are now going to be taking a closer look at those who seek to do business with the City, especially with In a joint effort to address the alleged irregularities in respect as to how M/W/DSBE contractors will be inthe Controller’s Report concerning compliance with cluded in the competitive bidding process as we move and enforcement of the Policy, EBS and the City have forward.” agreed to undertake the following actions. City Controller Alan Butkovitz said, “This agreement is First, EBS has and will continue to voluntarily refrain a first step in ensuring that when vendors are awarded from bidding on any City or City-related contracts until City contracts, they will follow through with their comApr. 1, 2012. This extends the period of negotiated mitment to the City by fulfilling their minority-particiwithdrawal from the City’s procurement process that pation goals in accordance with the contract.’ began with EBS’s withdrawal of its low bid on another airport contract in August 2010, and will total approx- Thomas Bock, VP of EBS, expressed his enthusiasm to work with the City in order to improve awareness and imately 20 months. appreciation for the City’s anti-discrimination policies: Second, EBS and the City will jointly prepare, develop, “Ernest Bock & Sons is eager to assist the City in deand present a series of workshops and seminars to pro- veloping a universal understanding among contractors vide contractor integrity education and strengthen the performing public-works contracts that, with our efcapacity and independence of ready, willing, and able forts, the Philadelphia construction industry will be able minority-owned companies participating in City con- to provide invaluable, and much-needed assistance in tracts. EBS will collaborate with the Office of Eco- the development of a quality MBE, WBE, and DSBE nomic Opportunity on the content of this series and will program.” fund this effort. The educational effort will focus on compliance with contractual obligations, and technical assistance for minority-owned businesses. In addition, Everyone Out Of The Pool – the workshops will also address the potential legal consequences of violating the City’s Anti-Discrimination If You’re Smoking policies. Mayor Michael A. Nutter, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Nutter said, “This agreement with EBS is un- Mayor for Health & Opportunity Donald F. Schwarz precedented with regard to the City procurement and Deputy Mayor for Environmental & Community process. It accomplishes two key goals: It demonstrates Resources Michael DiBerardinis, signed an executive that the City has turned a corner using a new approach order to make the more than 200 City-owned recreation to enforce M/W/DSBE provisions in its contracts, and centers, playgrounds, and pools 100% smoke-free, init puts contractors who want to do business with the cluding all outdoor spaces. City on notice that practices that circumvent equal opThis announcement comes days before the celebration portunity goals will not be tolerated in any way, shape of World No Tobacco Day on May 31. The Executive 24 MAY, 2011
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Order will reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, give the policy and resources for help with quitting will also smokers another reason to quit, and decrease the like- be distributed. lihood that children see adults smoking. “We will need everyone’s help to make this a success,” “We’re making this change so that recreation spaces DiBerardinis said. “Staff members, coaches, parents, can be healthier, safer, and cleaner for the tens of thou- civic leaders, and even kids will need to speak up. If sands of kids and adults who learn, play, and gather you see someone smoking, let them know that there is here every year and for all of the city’s recreation center a new policy that makes all rec-center property smokestaff,” said the Mayor. “The Philadelphia Smoking Ban free. Don’t assume they know about the new policy. prevents citizens from receiving second hand smoke in Point to a nearby sign or hand them a wallet card. Then, many of our city’s businesses. Now, we are protecting politely ask them to put out their cigarette. Through a the citizens in our recreation centers.” combined effort, I believe we can make this policy work.” Dr. Schwarz added, “The examples that we set for our children have profound effects on their physical and A telephone line will also be made available to receive psychological development. We must send kids a con- reports of smoking violations and requests for educasistent message that smoking is unsafe, un-cool, and tional sessions to help staff, coaches, parents, and even un-powerful. Smoking leads to nearly 2,500 deaths per kids better understand the new policy. The Depts. of year in Philadelphia. This is more deaths than those Public Health and Parks & Recreation will also make caused by homicide, HIV, diabetes, kidney failure, and additional free quit-smoking classes available at recrestroke combined.” ation centers throughout the city. This is on top of free classes held throughout the year in other community The executive order and a related Parks & Recreation setting. For help with quitting, Philadelphians can visit regulation will take effect in July 2011. Approximately www.smokefreephilly.org or call 1 (800) QUIT-NOW. 1,000 signs will be posted in recreation spaces notifying visitors and staff about the new smoke-free policy. Thousands of wallet-sized cards with information about
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