Title
December 19, 2002
TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA:
I am herewith returning to you as disapproved Bill Number 020481, which would amend The Philadelphia Code to require the City Controller to prepare economic impact statements for any public or private development project for which the total project cost is at least $50 million and for which the City or City related agency makes any funding or other contribution for which Council approval is required. The Administration fully supports Council's interest in being fully informed when considering whether to provide City financial support to major developments. The objection is based on the ambiguity and seemingly expansive sweep of the bill, the absence of any timing constraints on the Controller's review and the resulting negative signal it sends to our business community. I believe the bill, as drafted, is at odds with the City's on-going effort to encourage strategic growth and development by making the City's development process efficient and predictable.
In transmitting this veto, I note that nothing prevents City Council from imposing conditions on its decision making process. City Council has the right to draw upon any resource it deems appropriate in considering the approval of any legislation before it. At issue here is the message sent to those interested in developing businesses, jobs and homes in our City. Either we are going to create an infrastructure and process that encourages development, or we will develop a reputation as a City where it is difficult to do business.
The requirement is triggered for any development project, public or private, when Council is called upon to approve some type of City contribution to the project, however small. The amount of City support going into the project is irrelevant, as long as the total project exceeds $50 million. The reach of the requirement is enormously expansive, b...
Click here for full text