WHEREAS, State Representative John Taylor has faithfully served the citizens of the House’s 177th District, which includes portions of Philadelphia’s River Wards and the Northeast, for 17 terms. He will retire from his position at the end of 2018; and
WHEREAS, A Republican, Representative Taylor has been a stalwart ambassador of a District that has never had a majority of Republican voters. With moderate, blue-collar values and a dedication to meeting the needs of his District, Representative Taylor demonstrated that political affiliation is secondary to service; and
WHEREAS, Representative Taylor will retire as the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, through which he has overseen the State’s mass transit systems and transportation infrastructure. Of particular benefit to Philadelphia, Representative Taylor used this position to prioritize safety on Roosevelt Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, Representative Taylor is a past Chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee. In this role, he was instrumental in moving a bill forward to privatize the state’s liquor sales—the first step towards the privatization of liquor wholesale and retail sales since Prohibition; and
WHEREAS, Representative Taylor has been a steady advocate for the interests of all Philadelphians while in Harrisburg. He introduced and passed a state constitutional amendment to allow Philadelphia to alter the way it taxes real estate to reduce the City’s wage and business privilege taxes. He authored legislation which allows Philadelphia and other municipalities to create public land bank authorities. Additionally, he supported legislation to allow Philadelphia homeowners to qualify for a Homestead Exemption, giving them relief from increasing property taxes; and
WHEREAS, In response to a growing opioid epidemic statewide, especially in Philadelphia, Representative Taylor introduced and passed legislation which created a pilot program to expand Recovery High Schools, giving high school students the ability to continue their education in a less perilous environment; and
WHEREAS, Representative Taylor’s dedicated staff has skillfully served the 177th District and has helped Representative Taylor achieve renown for his attention and service to the needs of his constituents; and
WHEREAS, State Representative Taylor is to be commended for his steadfast, active service to benefit not only the residents of the 177th District but the City and Commonwealth as a whole. His legacy of service will remain through the lasting reforms he achieved in the House, and the City looks forward to the continued impact he will have on his community as he bids farewell to Harrisburg; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors State Representative John Taylor on the occasion of his retirement after 34 years of distinguished service.
FUTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to State Representative John Taylor.
End