Philadelphia City Council Home Page

Philadelphia City Council Member Contacts — 2012-2015

Philadelphia City Council Standing Committees — 2012-2015

Philadelphia Proposed Ordinances

Stated Meetings & Public Hearings of City Council

Contribute to Philadelphia FoodPAC

Paid Sick Leave Ordinances- PFMA opposes individual municipality's paid and unpaid leave ordinances including the paid sick leave ordinance in the City of Philadelphia. We believe a statewide approach to such issues makes the most sense to individuals and businesses.

Philadelphia $2 per Pack Cigarette Tax- PFMA opposes the$2 per pack increase. It is the highest single increase ever in the country and will drive sales out of the city and to other states and counties. Businesses inside the city will lose sales and could go out of business as a result of this tax. Also, the black market will grow and low income citizens will be disproportionately impacted by the tax.

Tobacco Product Tax Increase- PFMA opposes the proposed tobacco products tax increase. This includes new taxes on e-cigarettes at the rate of $2 and additional taxes on loose tobacco, cigars and nicotine liquid. PFMA is working with a coalition of interested parties to push back against this ordinance.

Food Waste Recycling Hearing/Resolution- PFMA is monitoring and advising on this issue closely as City Council delves deeper into the discussion on it. Many of our members participate in these programs as good stewards of the environment.

Minimum Wage Increases- PFMA opposes increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 or $15 an hour as many in city council have discussed in recent hearings. We believe this will negatively impact businesses and the wages and jobs they are able to provide. Also, adding a cost-of-living adjustment to the proposal would have a negative impact.

Litter/Trash Ordinances- PFMA believes that any ordinances looking to address trash and littering in the city should take a three-pronged approach. Those include an education, collection and enforcement component. This will help ensure any proposal is successful.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax- PFMA opposes any plan which would add a tax to sugar-sweetened beverages. This type of tax will increase customer’s food bills and infringe on their ability to purchase these products. It is up to the customer what types of products they would like to purchase and this type of tax hurts their ability to make that choice.

Use and Occupancy Tax Increase- PFMA opposes increases to the use and occupancy tax which is a tax on the business, trade or other commercial use and occupancy of real estate located in Philadelphia. 

Tobacco Products Restriction Ordinance- PFMA opposes the proposed ordinance which would prohibit the sale of tobacco products, electronic smoking devices and unapproved nicotine delivery products at establishments where health care services are provided or pharmaceuticals are sold.

Ban the Box Legislation- PFMA opposes this legislation as drafted, and is looking to amend it. It would prohibit employers from asking about criminal histories during the hiring process, and would disallow convictions over seven years old from being considered in hiring decisions. While PFMA members support second-chance opportunities for offenders, disallowing convictions more than seven years old for any crime puts employers in actionable positions.  
 

---