Title
Amending Title 20 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Officers and Employees," by adding a new Chapter entitled "Lobbying," under certain terms and conditions.
Body
WHEREAS, City government functions to serve the needs of all citizens, and the citizens of the City of Philadelphia have a right to know the identity of interests which attempt to influence decisions of City government, as well as the means employed by those interests; and
WHEREAS, The Committee of Seventy has issued an "Ethics Reform Agenda," proposing, among other things, lobbying legislation for the reason that "lobbyists or lawyers acting as lobbyists are often perceived as having improper or undue influence on decisions made in the Office of the Mayor, City Council and other City departments, agencies and commissions;" and
WHEREAS, All persons engaged in lobbying activities aimed at influencing decisions by City government must, when so engaged, be subject to the same regulations, restrictions and requirements, regardless of their background, training or other professional qualifications or license; and
WHEREAS, Complete public disclosure of the full range of activities by and financing of lobbyists and those who employ their services is essential to the maintenance of citizen confidence in the integrity of local government; and
WHEREAS, It is in the public interest to ensure that lobbyists do not misrepresent facts, their positions, or attempt to deceive officials through false communications, do not place City officials under personal obligation to themselves or their clients, and do not represent that they can control the actions of City officials; and
WHEREAS, It is in the public interest to adopt these amendments to The Philadelphia Code to ensure adequate and effective public disclosure of information about efforts to lobby City government, the lobbyists, and their clients; now therefore,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title...
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