Authorizing City Council to hire and retain an independent third party to conduct research and produce a study on the fiscal and economic impact of certain taxes and fees; and authorizing the Committee on Appropriations to conduct hearings to consider such a study; all under certain terms and conditions.

WHEREAS, City Council is steadfastly committed to financing robust investments including Rebuild for parks and recreation centers, Community Schools, and Pre-K for all families; and

WHEREAS, City Council believes that these educational and workforce programs are critical to the fair, equitable, and progressive development of the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, City Council believes that when we invest in parks, recreation centers, and libraries across the City of Philadelphia, we invest in the very fabric of our neighborhoods by enhancing public safety, quality of life, and daily enjoyment for all of our residents; and

WHEREAS, City Council believes that the community schools model recognizes that a neighborhood school is the heart of a community, where all members of the family can access comprehensive services, resources, opportunities, and assistance under one schoolhouse roof; and

WHEREAS, City Council believes that all of Philadelphia’s children deserve affordable access to quality early childhood education, so that they may benefit from the social, emotional, and academic advantages of a classroom environment from an early age; and

WHEREAS, City Council believes in financing these programs through fair, equitable, and progressive means, to ensure that low-income taxpayers are not unduly burdened; and

WHEREAS, City Council believes in the value of studying and measuring the impact of taxes and fees imposed on hard-working families across the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, City Council believes in minimizing food deserts and the underground economy, so that small business owners and underserved neighbors can share access to affordable groceries; and

WHEREAS, City Council believes in supporting businesses that provide family-sustaining wages;

WHEREAS, City Council therefore seeks to study the fiscal and economic impact of certain taxes and fees, including but not limited to the existing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax and alternatives including but not limited to the Single-Use Bag Fee; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council is hereby authorized to hire and retain an independent third party to conduct research and produce a study on the fiscal and economic impact of certain taxes and fees including but not limited to the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax and Single-Use Bag Fee.

FURTHER RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council’s Committee on Appropriations is hereby authorized to conduct hearings to consider such a study on the fiscal and economic impact of certain taxes and fees including but not limited to the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax and Single-Use Bag Fee.

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