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September 22, 2004
TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA:
I am transmitting with this correspondence, for the introduction and consideration of your Honorable Body, a proposed Ordinance that repeals Chapter 20-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Standards of Conduct and Ethics," and enacts a new Chapter 20-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Standards of Conduct and Ethics.""
This legislation reflects extraordinary work of the 21st Century Review Forum Ethics Task Force, chaired by Judge Ida Chen. It also builds upon the work and input of the Ethics Board established by Executive Order. I am indebted to them for their superior work on these very difficult issues.
This bill would create a new Code of Ethics for all City employees. It would strengthen and clarify our existing ethics laws, by closing certain loopholes, adding new provisions, and incorporating certain State law provisions so that employees can look to one governing, "Omnibus Code of Ethics" to find all applicable ethics rules governing their conduct. As proposed, it applies to all City employees - including the Executive Branch, City Council, elective city row offices, appointed boards and commissions and employees of all non-State created City agencies.
No less important, the proposed Code is intended to cover not only all city employees of all city agencies, but also individuals and businesses who do business with the city, or seek business from it. Everyone should know what the rules are, and everyone should be covered by the same set of rules.
I believe the overwhelming majority of city employees are honest, hard-working, and dedicated public servants. I also believe we must address the fact that there is always a small number of employees who either do not understand the city's ethics rules, or deliberately try to take advantage of their position. This proposed Code of Ethics makes clear what the city's ethic...
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