Commemorating the work of the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission.

WHEREAS, There was submitted for the approval of the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia, an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the creation, appointment, powers, and duties of a Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission, pursuant to an ordinance of the Council of the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, On November 5, 2002, nearly 170,000 voters in Philadelphia, by a margin of four-to-one, supported the creation of the first independent Tax Reform Commission in Philadelphia’s history; and

WHEREAS, The Tax Reform Commission’s 15 Commissioners and 23 Advisory Committee members spent 10 months and more than 10,000 hours conducting a comprehensive review of the city’s tax structure; and

WHEREAS, The Tax Reform Commission released its final report on November 15, 2003; and

WHEREAS, The final report is a comprehensive package of socially and fiscally responsible proposals to address the longstanding problems of our tax system; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of this Council to reduce taxes of Philadelphia residents, workers, and businesses in an equitable manner; reform the tax structure to enhance and improve the City’s ability to compete with other jurisdictions in the region and throughout the nation in attracting new residents, businesses, and jobs, and retaining current residents, businesses and jobs; and provide tax fairness and tax equity in apportioning tax burdens; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and commends the members of the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission for their thoughtful and diligent efforts on behalf of the citizens, workers, and employers of Philadelphia, and reaffirms its commitment to enact meaningful tax reform legislation in Philadelphia in a timely manner.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the members of the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission as evidence of the sincere congratulations and appreciation of this legislative body.

End