City of Philadelphia - File #: 090302

• File #: 090302
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 4/16/2009
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 4/16/2009
• Title: Requesting the Finance Director to attest to Council and the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority ("PICA") that there has been a greater than 2% reduction in total City tax collections, which attestation is required by the Pennsylvania Taxpayer Relief Act ("Act") before the City may enact an increase to the rates of the wage and net profits tax above the rates specified in that Act, and, if the Finance Director provides such attestation, calling on PICA to provide the certification the Act also requires before wage and net profits tax rates may be increased; and further requesting the Finance Director to advise Council and PICA as to the applicability of any of the other exceptions in the Act that permit wage and net profits tax rates to be increased, and, if any other exception is applicable, calling upon PICA to provide a certification to that effect.
• Sponsors: Council President Verna, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Sanchez, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Kelly

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
4/16/2009	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED	Pass	15:2
4/16/2009	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
4/16/2009	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title
Requesting the Finance Director to attest to Council and the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority ("PICA") that there has been a greater than 2% reduction in total City tax collections, which attestation is required by the Pennsylvania Taxpayer Relief Act ("Act") before the City may enact an increase to the rates of the wage and net profits tax above the rates specified in that Act, and, if the Finance Director provides such attestation, calling on PICA to provide the certification the Act also requires before wage and net profits tax rates may be increased; and further requesting the Finance Director to advise Council and PICA as to the applicability of any of the other exceptions in the Act that permit wage and net profits tax rates to be increased, and, if any other exception is applicable, calling upon PICA to provide a certification to that effect.
Body
WHEREAS, Council is now considering the Mayor's proposed annual operating budget ordinance for Fiscal Year 2010 and proposed Five Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2010 through 2014, which include proposed increases in the City's real estate tax; and

WHEREAS, Under the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, Council is responsible for enacting all revenue measures necessary to balance the budget; and

WHEREAS, The Mayor has repeatedly stated that "all options are on the table," and Council, to fulfill its responsibilities under the Charter, must consider all reasonable means of raising revenue to avoid severe disruptions to City services; and

WHEREAS, One of the main sources of City revenue is the wage and net profits tax, so it is appropriate for Council to examine whether an increase in the rates of that tax should be a part of the best mix of budget-balancing revenue measures; and

WHEREAS, Under the Pennsylvania Taxpayer Relief Act ("Act"), the City is required to reduce wage and net profits tax rates to specified levels, and to reduce those rates further based upon the receipt of re...