A New Day in Philly government: let's get things started with New Year resolutions - PhillyBlog

Dave · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 10:58 PM

Ok, so Nutter and the new city council members have been sworn in. As you can see there's a whole bunch of stuff Rendell didn't get done as mayor, and Street wasn't a whole lot better. Now Nutter and city council are going to have to hit the ground running and get as much as possible done this year if they're going to get some momentum going over the next 4 years, and into the 4 years after that.

A good way to put their feet to the fire would be to tell them, in no uncertain terms (but respectfully), what we expect from them. We shouldn't put up with more useless resolutions and pandering. They're going to have to roll up their sleeves and take on some tough issues.

To this end, I propose that we each draft a list of New Year's Resolutions and send them to council, once a week if you're so inclined, beginning today (or when their contact information makes it onto hallwatch and phila.gov, for newly elected officials). Here are the contact pages:

http://www.phila.gov/citycouncil/ (click on link for council member, then on the "eMail a message" link).
http://www.hallwatch.org/faxbank/philadelphia

Here are my resolutions, if you need some ideas (I'll also welcome suggestions, in case I've missed something important). You don't have to agree with any or all of them (although I hope you do), but it's important that as many people as possible become more engaged in our democratic process by expressing their priorities and concerns to our elected officials.

Quote:

1) Eliminate the BPT. Don't lower it, eliminate it.

2) Pass legislation allowing the city to hire non-residents.

3) Create a contract for city unions that brings their compensation and benefits in line with those provided to the city's taxpayers by their employers.

4) Pass the necessary legislation to give the police commissioner more control over hires and promotions within the department, including any applicable voter-approved charter changes.

5) Come up with a taxation system for Philadelphia that provides adequate funding for the school district, without increasing the burden on city residents.

6) Re-write the city's zoning code to encourage commercial activity, rather than stifling it.

7) Take action to move the city's violent/mentally ill homeless from the streets to a more appropriate environment, and other homeless individuals into the shelter system.

8) Work with state and federal elected officials to appoint people with experience running a successful public transportation system to SEPTA's board of directors, as well as initiating a comprehensive plan for the construction of new rapid transit lines to serve parts of the city that don't currently have one.

9) Work with state and federal officials to include capping of (at least) the downtown portion of I-95 (or bridging it like I-670 in Columbus, OH), when work is done on that highway in the near future, in order to enhance accessibility to the waterfront. The same should be done for I-676 at some point.

10) Start legislating the agenda described in the policy papers drafted by Mayor Nutter during the primary. This includes new ethics legislation and setting budget priorities that fund basic city services, first and foremost (this will require making cuts in other less important areas of the budget).

11) Take action to revive industry in the city, in order to create jobs for its residents (this is related to resolution #1).

12) Provide better funding and management to the Fairmount Park system.

Hospitalitygirl · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 11:00 PM

Take action to revive industry in the City. To provide more jobs for citizens.

brooklyncat · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2008, 11:16 PM

I like all those, and add:

make the revival and competent management of Fairmount Park a priority.

Dave · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 01:09 AM

Good one re: Fairmount Park.

BTW, if you go look at the letters others have sent on hallwatch, there are a bunch of crap letters telling city council to ban foie gras. Please, please, please send them letters with requests that make more sense.

brooklyncat · #5 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 01:23 AM

I love foie gras and will boycott any city that bans it.

WTF is wrong with people? THIS is what motivates them to contact their public officials? Idiots.

Mmm...foie gras.

Dave · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 01:47 AM

Another one: eliminate the wage tax for commuters.

I know this one will be unpopular with a lot of people, but I think it's necessary. Between the wage tax and the extra transportation cost, there really isn't a lot of incentive for people who live in the suburbs to work in the city (I've sort of given some thought to that issue lately and can't really see myself doing it long-term), and we can use all the help we can in coaxing new jobs into the city.

brooklyncat · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Another one: eliminate the wage tax for commuters.

I know this one will be unpopular with a lot of people, but I think it's necessary. Between the wage tax and the extra transportation cost, there really isn't a lot of incentive for people who live in the suburbs to work in the city (I've sort of given some thought to that issue lately and can't really see myself doing it long-term), and we can use all the help we can in coaxing new jobs into the city.

But wouldn't that just incentivize more people who work in the city to live in the suburbs? that doesn't seem very productive. or fair.

raider.adam · #8 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Another one: eliminate the wage tax for commuters.

I know this one will be unpopular with a lot of people, but I think it's necessary. Between the wage tax and the extra transportation cost, there really isn't a lot of incentive for people who live in the suburbs to work in the city (I've sort of given some thought to that issue lately and can't really see myself doing it long-term), and we can use all the help we can in coaxing new jobs into the city.

Eliminate the BPT. Eliminate commuter wage tax. Resident wage tax on the schedule to be lowered...

So I assume you are recommending increases in property taxes across the board? Other than that, it sounds like you want to fund the City based on sales tax.

MayfairMeat · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Another one: eliminate the wage tax for commuters.

I know this one will be unpopular with a lot of people, but I think it's necessary. Between the wage tax and the extra transportation cost, there really isn't a lot of incentive for people who live in the suburbs to work in the city (I've sort of given some thought to that issue lately and can't really see myself doing it long-term), and we can use all the help we can in coaxing new jobs into the city.

Nah, I'd eliminate the city resident wage tax first, and then only delete the one for commuters after compensating for the loss in income.

MayfairMeat · #10 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 03:30 AM

Monday was a special day.

I feel like quoting Dr. Martin Luther King.

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