Son Owen

4 weeks ago | hallmonitor.org | Lawrence McGlynn |Son Owen

Minority Leader Kendra Brooks, in conjunction with Minority Whip Nicholas O’Rourke, introduced a package of legislation dubbed the “People’s Tax Plan,” which includes bills to establish a wealth tax, an expansion of the underutilized wage tax refund, and an increase in the Business and Receipts Tax exemption. Brooks said the plan took recommendations from both the Tax Reform Commission and the Tax Advisory Commission, convened by Council President Kenyatta Johnson earlier this year.

1 month ago | hallmonitor.org | Lawrence McGlynn |Son Owen

The Philadelphia City Council joint committee on Public Safety and Health and Human Services met Monday, March 17th to hear testimony on Resolution No. 240703, which “authorized the joint committees to investigate the effectiveness and potential expansion of mobile mental health unites administered by the Department of Behavioral Health and Intelletucal Disability Services.” Councilmember Curtis Jones, chair of the Public Safety Committee, spoke about the 7 AM Monday roll call in which he...

1 month ago | hallmonitor.org | Lawrence McGlynn |Son Owen

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker offered her second budget address before the Philadelphia City Council Thursday, March 13. The two major items discussed by the Mayor are significant tax cuts and the borrowing of $800 million to address the city’s housing crisis.

1 month ago | hallmonitor.org | Lawrence McGlynn |Son Owen

The Joint Committees on Public Safety and Legislative Oversight met Tuesday, March 4th, to “examine actions necessary to significantly reduce the Philadelphia prison population to permanently close Philadelphia’s oldest and most inhumane prison facility, the Detention Center.” Councilmember Nicholas O’Rourke, the sponsor of the hearing resolution, detailed some of the ongoing issues in the city’s prisons, particularly the $25 million federal judgment against the city after being held in...

1 month ago | hallmonitor.org | Lawrence McGlynn |Son Owen

How do you feel about a billionaire making significant contributions to a candidate and, when that candidate wins, being appointed to a job that will directly affect the well-being of poor and working people? If you are one of the 80% of the people who voted Democratic in the last election, you are probably horrified. What do the members of the Philadelphia City Council think?