Title
Expressing support for House Bill 922 and Senate Bill 1156 currently pending in the United States Congress, with the hope that such legislation will be able to increase private investment in the rehabilitation of public school buildings for the benefit of Philadelphia children.
Body
WHEREAS, On February 7, 2017, United States Representative Dwight Evans, and United States Representative A. Donald McEachin, introduced House Bill 922, and on May 17, 2017, United States Senator Timothy M. Kaine, and United States Senator Mark R. Warner, introduced Senate Bill 1156; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 922 and Senate Bill 1156, if enacted, would allow rehabilitation expenditures for any school facility which is a part of a public elementary or secondary school and is owned by a private, for-profit corporation pursuant to a public-private partnership agreement with a state or local educational agency to qualify for the rehabilitation tax credit, thereby increasing access to private capital for the rehabilitation of buildings, including historic structures, used as schools; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the historic tax credit program requires reuse of a building in a way that is different from its original function. This restriction is what currently hinders local governments from partnering with private developers to rehabilitate schools; and
WHEREAS, Investing in education infrastructure is one of the best investments we can make because it puts people to work immediately building modern, safe schools and gives our children an opportunity for a world-class education that will prepare them for the jobs of the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, Similar legislation enacted in the state of Virginia had bipartisan support. Virginia has shown that it is possible and necessary to work together to help our young people succeed. It is foreseeable that there are tax-credit-eligible modernization projects nationwide. The program was a result of a successful state policy and it should be replicated on a federal level; and
WHEREAS, Many Philadelphia public school buildings need costly school renovations which result in children attending schools that are in disrepair and in dire need of necessary improvements; and
WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia believes that it is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Philadelphia that this Council express the City’s support for the enactment of House Bill 922 and Senate Bill 1156; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Council of Philadelphia, Expresses support for House Bill 922 and Senate Bill 1156 currently pending in the United States Congress, with the hope that such legislation will be able to increase private investment in the rehabilitation of public school buildings for the benefit of Philadelphia children.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk is directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Philadelphia Delegation to the United States House of Representatives and to Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Senator Patrick J. Toomey as evidence of the support of this legislative body.
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