Title
Authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold an emergency hearing on the Department of Health's public funding of Prevention Point and in particular the possibility of their funding and distributing a pamphlet entitled "Tricks of the Trade: Health and Safety Tips for Street Sex Workers".
Body
WHEREAS, The taxpayers of the city of Philadelphia have a right to know how and when their tax dollars are being spent; and
WHEREAS, The taxpayers of the City of Philadelphia provided $300,000 in funding for Prevention Point in the last fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, Whenever tax dollars are expended by a city agency in a manner that is contrary to the public policy of the City of Philadelphia; it is necessary for council to review those expenditures, as well as their propriety; and
WHEREAS, Prostitution, under Section 5902 (a) of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is a misdemeanor of the third degree; and
WHEREAS, Promoting Prostitution under Section 5902 (b) of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes can be a felony of the third degree, or a misdemeanor; and
WHEREAS, On Friday February 4, 2000, the Philadelphia Daily News ran an article on Prevention Point and the brochure Tricks of the Trade: Health and Safety Tips for Street Sex Workers; and
WHEREAS, The brochure is on the City Department of Health list of approved publications and many, including the article in the Daily News, have questioned the propriety of a public agency circulating a brochure that assist in the commission of an illegal act.
Therefore, Be it resolved that the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby resolves to authorize the City Council Committee on Public Health and Human Services to investigate the Department of Health's role in funding Prevention Point and its publications, as well as, the kinds and types of brochures distributed by the department, the necess...
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