WHEREAS, a partial shutdown of the United States federal government began on December 22, 2018 in which federal agencies had to discontinue all non-essential discretionary functions until new funding legislation is passed and signed into law; and
WHEREAS, Nine federal agencies have been forced to close due to the shutdown, which includes the departments of the Treasury, Agriculture, Homeland Security, Interior, State, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Commerce, and Justice; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 380,000 employees have been furloughed during the shutdown, and another 420,000 employees will report to work but not receive pay until the shutdown ends, which is now the longest in U.S. history; and
WHEREAS,
There are approximately 45,000 federal employees in Philadelphia and its immediate suburbs, making it the highest concentrated region
of federal workers
outside Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is home to approximately 12,000 federal workers, including 3,000 Transportation Security Administration employees at the Philadelphia International Airport; and
WHEREAS, The effects of the shutdown continue to grow and the impact has begun rippling through the entire economy, leading thousands of local federal workers to seek assistance for food, rental/mortgage assistance, and other living necessities; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of a Philadelphia Federal Workers’ Emergency Fund will provide financial assistance to federal workers who reside in the City of Philadelphia during the course of the shutdown; now, therefore,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The Director of Finance is hereby authorized to make the following transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019 within the General Fund:
FROM:
GRANTS REVENUE FUND
9.16
THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - PROVISION FOR OTHER GRANTS
Advances and Other Miscellaneous Payment………………………………$
50,000,000
Total…………………………………………………………………$ 50,000,000
Total “FROM” Grants Revenue Fund………………………………………$ 50,000,000
Total “FROM” Section……………………………………………………….$
50,000,000
TO:
GENERAL FUND
2.32
THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Personal Services…………………………………………………………….$
50,000,000
Total………………………………………………………………….$ 50,000,000
Total “TO” General Fund…………………………………………………$ 50,000,000
Total “TO” Section…………………………………………………………$
50,000,000
SECTION 2. It is the intent of Council through this Ordinance to increase the appropriation to the Department of Commerce for Fiscal Year 2019 in support of financial emergency assistance to federal workers during the government shutdown.
SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
End