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From YouTube: Committee on Finance 10-8-2019
Description
The Committee on Finance of the Council of the City of Philadelphia held a Public Hearing on Tuesday,
October 8, 2019, at 10:00 AM, in Room 400, City Hall, to hear testimony on the following items:
190509
An Ordinance amending Chapter 19-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “City Funds - Deposits, Investments, Disbursements”, by revising the list of City depositories; under certain terms and conditions.
190616
An Ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “FINANCE, TAXES AND COLLECTIONS,” by adding three new definitions to Section 19-1501 and adding a new Section 19-1507, entitled “Student Debt Tax Credit”; all under certain terms and conditions.
190706
An Ordinance authorizing the issuance from time to time of one or more series of general obligation bonds to provide funds to refund certain outstanding general obligation bonds of The City of Philadelphia; authorizing the Mayor, City Controller and City Solicitor or a majority of them to sell the bonds at public or private negotiated sale; setting forth the purposes for which the proceeds of the bonds will be expended; providing for the maturities and for other terms and conditions and for the form of the bonds; providing that bonds may be redeemable prior to maturity; providing sinking funds for the bonds and for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment thereof; authorizing agreements to provide credit enhancement or payment or
liquidity sources for the bonds and certain other actions.
180609
Resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Finance to hold public hearings on a potential "Food Diversion Tax Credit" in the City of Philadelphia.
190663 Resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Finance to hold hearings to investigate the possibility of starting a fund to help decrease the cost burden on families living in historic districts who have additional expenses associated with maintaining their properties as required by the historic preservation guidelines.
A
Good
morning,
everyone
thank
you
for
coming.
We
will
now
call
the
Finance
Committee
to
order
we
have
a
quorum
to
my
left
is
councilman
Greenlee
to
his
love
as
Councilwoman
Parker
to
her
toughest
Councilwoman,
blondie
Reynolds
Brown,
to
my
widest
right,
this
Councilman
David.
Oh,
this
hearing
will
hear
all
of
those
listed
three
bills:
one:
nine
zero:
five:
zero,
nine
one:
nine
zero,
six
one:
six,
one:
nine:
zero:
seven:
zero,
six
and
resolutions;
one
eight:
zero:
six,
oh
nine
and
one
nine
zero.
Six
six.
Three.
A
We
will
ask
the
clerk
to
read
the
title
of
bill
number
one:
nine,
zero,
five,
zero,
nine
and
ask
that
those
coming
to
testify,
as
well
as
on
bill,
one:
nine,
zero
706,
we're
going
to
hear
those
two
bills
first
and
we'll
ask
Christian,
Dunbar
and
Jackie
done
to
come
forward
for
those
two
bills
clerk.
Will
you
read
the
titles
of
those
to.
B
A
public
or
private,
negotiated
sale
setting
forth
the
purposes
for
which
the
proceeds
of
the
bonds
will
be
expended.
Providing
for
the
mature
of
the
other
terms
and
conditions
for
the
form
of
the
bonds.
Providing
that
bonds
may
be
redeemable
prior
to
maturity,
providing
seeking
funds
for
the
bonds
and
for
appropriations
to
the
sinking
fund
commission
for
the
payment
there
of
authorizing
agreements
to
provide
credit
enhancement
or
payment
or
liquidity
sources
for
the
bonds
and
certain
other
actions.
A
You
very
much
we
note
that
by
share
the
Committee
Bobby
Heenan
is
here,
and
we
also
note
that
Alan
Dom
is
here.
Thank
you
very
much,
so
we
have
a
quorum
and
more
all
right.
Thank
you
very
much.
We're
very
glad
to
have
you-
and
here
you
testify.
Please
identify
yourself
for
the
record
and
bring
in
your
testimony
good.
C
Morning,
Councilwoman
Blackwell
and
chair
of
the
Finance
Committee
and
good
morning,
rest
of
the
members
of
the
Finance
Committee.
My
name
is
Christian
Dunbar
city
treasurer
with
me.
This
morning
is
Jackie
done.
First,
deputy
city,
treasurer
and
Rae
Hill
deputy
city
treasurer
for
banking
investments,
Department
I'm
here
to
testify
in
favor
of
bill
number
one:
nine,
zero,
five,
zero
nine
build
number
one:
nine:
zero:
five:
zero,
nine
and
men's
chapter
19
200
of
the
Philadelphia
call
to
update
the
list
of
financial
institutions
at
which
the
city
is
authorized
to
deposit
funds
into
JPMorgan.
C
C
C
Hearing
no
questions
or
comments
regarding
bill
number
one:
nine,
zero,
five,
zero
nine
I
will
also
testify
on
bill
number
one:
nine:
zero,
seven:
zero
six
bill,
one:
nine,
zero:
seven,
zero
six
authorized
the
refunding
from
time
to
time
of
all
current
outstanding
general
obligation,
bonds
on
the
tax
exempt
or
taxable
basis.
This
will
give
the
city
strugglers
office
a
timely
ability
to
pursue
refund
ins
up
to
1.5
billion
of
bonds,
maturities
that
were
previously
issued
with
city
council
approval
between
2009
and.
C
D
You
mam
chair
just
quickly
miss
Dunbar
everyone
good
morning.
I
know
you
said
this,
but
just
for
the
record
that
the
bill
grants
authority
to
refund
barrings.
That
council
has
already
authorized
correct,
okay
and
and
I
think
I
know
the
answer
to
this,
but
I
know
there
was
a
recent
article
about
some
Pennsylvania
townships
and
school
districts
who
have
lost
money
on
interest
rate
swaps.
We
don't
do
those
correct.
We.
D
You
do
we
do.
Okay,
all
right,
I
didn't
realize
that
I
thought
we
do
not
alright
and
then.
Finally,
a
a
more
general
question,
what
what
steps
are
being
taken
to
ensure
that
the
borrowings
are
in
the
best
interest
of
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
for
example,
debt
ratio?
Something
like
that!
What
what
do
you
check?
What
are
you
so.
C
E
You,
madam
chair
good
morning,
I,
have
a
question
for
you
on
the
situation,
probably
one
of
the
lowest
interest
rate
environments
and
what
the
interest
rates
appearing
that
they're
gonna
go.
Who
knows
where
they're
gonna
go,
but
it
looks
like
you're
gonna
stay
the
same
or
maybe
go
lower
mm-hmm.
How
do
we
take
advantage
of
that
from
the
city's
overall
portfolio?
And
if
you
have
swaps,
I
guess
the
problem
is
undoing
that
swap
in
a
lower
environment,
I
guess.
C
The
first
step
is
to
come
before
you
and
ask
for
a
refund
and
authorization
for
all
of
our
outstanding
debt,
which
is
why
we're
here-
and
we
do
have
these
fun
authorization
for
our
other
credits,
water,
gas,
as
well
as
our
airport-
and
we
have
refund
an
authorization
for
our
service
agreement.
So
our
general
obligation
is
the
only
debt
that
we
don't
have
refund
authorization
for
and
typically
we
monitor
all
of
the
potential
savings
in
the
marketplace
and
so
for
this
particular
transactions.
C
C
So,
for
instance,
our
2019,
that's
July,
30th
transaction,
we
are
all
in
yield,
was
two
point,
eight
two
percent,
and
just
to
give
you
a
sense,
we
did
a
transaction
last
year
of
2018
transaction
last
year
and
that
all
in
yield
was
four
point:
zero,
one
percent
that
gives
you
a
sense
of
where
we
are
from
a
market
perspective
right
now.
So.
E
C
C
It
gets
roughly
about
fourteen
million
net
present
value
per
year,
not
per
year.
It
varies
per
year,
but
the
net
present
value
at
fourteen
million.
So
you
know
so
starts
off
it
ramps
up
the
further
out.
You
go
the
more
savings,
so
it
starts
in
say
year,
one
just
given
where
we
are
in
a
year
about
a
hundred
thousand,
but
by
year
2033
it
gets
up
to
about
2.6
million
a
year
savings.
E
C
E
Like
in
any
of
the
loans
we're
looking
at
every
loan,
we
have
is
that
when
the
rates
are
so
low
right
now
we
haven't
seen.
This
is
unprecedented
to
the
right
to
this
low
and
we
have
I
think
you've,
probably
read
in
the
paper
there's
over
fifteen
billion
dollars
in
assets
in
countries
overseas,
where
they're
getting
negative
rates,
they
have
to
pay.
E
C
And
it's
again,
that's
why
you
know
we're
at
the
first
Finance
Committee
meeting
as
you
have
come
back
from
break
and
we
you
know,
we
have
refund
authorization
for
everything
else
in
our
portfolio,
so
something
that
we
monitor
closely
and
in
fact,
the
bankers.
You
know-
and
you
know,
financial
professionals
continue
to
remind
us
every
day.
Let.
E
C
I
mean
swap
is
a
I
guess,
an
alligator
touring
contract
in
that
you
are
essentially
making
a
bet
on
what
the
market
will
do
and
most
of
our
swaps
are
hedged,
and
so
essentially,
we
would
trade
a
fixed
rate
payment
or
excuse
me:
we
trade,
a
variable
weight
rate
payment
for
a
fixed
rate
payment.
So
what
that
does
for
us
is.
We
know
exactly
what
our
payment
will
be
during
a
life
of
the
swamp.
E
C
The
termination
cost
can
increase
and-
and
we
have
another
additional
rub-
moving
into
the
future-
LIBOR
is
going
away
in
2021
and
because
LIBOR
is
going
away,
we
wanted
to
reduce
portion
of
our
portfolio,
because
the
uncertainty
of
what
will
happen
to
is
ease
LIBOR
rate
benchmark
is
something
we're
concerned
with
so
recently
about.
Three
weeks
ago,
we
reduced
our
Gio
swap
portfolio
by
about
50%.
E
E
An
interest
rate
drop
like
we're,
seeing
you
could
have
a
swap
payment
that
cost
you
ten
percent
of
the
loan
amount,
if
you're,
if
you
swapped
at
it
like
4.08
and
today's
rates
3.15,
you
can
wind
up
paying
almost
ten
percent
of
that
loan
amount
for
the
swap
payment,
and
if
you
had
a
prepayment
penalty,
that
was
you
know
it's
decelerating
from
three
to
one
or
over.
The
term
of
the
loan
it'd
be
a
much
cheaper
alternative
for
us
to
refinance
and
the
payback
would
be
quicker
well.
C
I
mean
I
figured
I'm
in
a
marketplace,
particularly
while
you
get
into
a
swap
so
we're
talking
about
an
environment
where
you
are
making
a
bet
with
a
counterparty
in
terms
of
what
wage
will
do.
It's
unlikely
a
counterparty
will
want
to
give
away
the
value
if
their
bet
is
accurate
versus,
if
your
bets
accurate,
so
there's
a
swap
termination
cost
that
works
like
a
prepayment
penalty,
but
it's
still
not
always
advantageous
right.
Oh
if.
E
F
You,
madam
chair,
I'm,
treasurer
Dunbar.
Let
me
join
with
our
colleagues,
councilman
Greenlee
and
Councilman
done,
and
just
sort
of
commending
you,
along
with
the
city
for
being
proactive
and
attempting
to
take
advantage
of
these
historically
low
tax
exempt
and
taxable
rates.
What
I
want
you
to
do
for
the
benefit
of
the
public
that
is
watching
I?
Want
you
to
explain
how,
when
we
as
a
city,
take
steps
to
reduce
the
debt
service
costs
on
our
general
fund?
How
does
it
positively
impact
the
city
of
Philadelphia's
credit
rating
with
the
rating
agencies?
F
So,
for
example,
what
I'm
asking
you
to
describe
is
we've
also
been
very
proactive
and
have
performed
extremely
well
in
the
adjustments
that
we've
made
to
our
pension
fund.
I
mean
we've
outperformed,
statewide
funds,
I'm,
so
happy,
we've
outperformed
some
of
our
suburban
counterparts
and
ultimately
it
did
improve
the
city's
credit
rating.
So
when
we
begin
to
reduce
the
debt
service
costs
that
are
incurred
by
the
general
fund,
how
do
rating
agencies
look
at
this
so.
C
I
think
just
overall
much
like
an
example
be
much
like
anyone's
personal
financial
situation,
the
lower
your
debt,
potentially
the
better,
your
credit
and
more
creditworthy
you
are,
and
I
will
say
you
know
as
a
testament
to
this
administration
in
this
body.
The
city
is
in
probably
the
best
financial
health
it's
been
in
in
decades
and
not
just
in
terms
of
where
our
fund
balance
is
in
terms
of
what
we've
been
and
a
commitment
we
made
to
our
pension
plan
to
your
point
Councilwoman.
C
So
the
city
is
really
in
a
positive
situation
and
that's
what
happens.
Typically,
when
we
go
in
front
of
that
investors
now,
we've
seen
really
a
historic
demand
for
city
of
Philadelphia
bonds,
and
so,
if
you'll
remember,
there
was
a
press
release
in
July
we
did
a
transaction
that
yielded
the
lowest
interest
rates
in
historic
lows
for
the
city
as
well
as
historic,
spreads
and
a
spread
really
as
an
indicator
of
the
demand
for
your
individual
bonds.
C
F
You
for
your
patience
in
in
getting
that
on
the
record,
particularly
when
you
compare
the
city's
credit
rating
to
our
personal
credit
rating,
so
that
when
residents
of
our
great
city
are
just
trying
to
figure
out
how
we're
situated
from
a
financial
perspective,
it
helps
them
process
it
more
when
they
compare
it
to
their
own
lives.
So
thank
you
for
speaking
and
plain
speak.
A
C
A
A
Thank
you
very
much
and
we
will
now
ask
the
clerk
to
read
the
title
of
one:
nine,
zero,
six
one
six
and
we
will
ask
Frank
Breslin
revenue,
commissioner,
to
come
forward
and
let
me
as
he
is
coming,
thank
you
for
responding
to
my
call
on
constituent
services.
You
all
know
I
always
have
constituent
services
I'm
trying
to
do.
Thank
you,
sir.
A
G
This
bill
proposes
to
offer
college
graduates
who
are
currently
living
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
a
tax
credit
to
help
pay
off
their
student
loan
debt
to
qualify.
They
must
owe
more
than
$35,000
and
a
city
resident.
The
credit
can
be
as
large
as
$1,500
per
year
for
up
to
five
years
for
a
total
potential
tax
credit
of
$7,500.
This
bill
is
intended
to
attract
and
retain
talented
middle-class
young
professionals
who
want
to
start
and
grow
their
careers
in
Philadelphia.
G
It
is
now
40
thousand
based
on
the
amended
bill
that
I
introduced
that
would
have
been
the
wages
1.3
billion
dollars,
one
billion
three
hundred
fifty
two
million
those
wages
are
not
leaving
the
city
of
Philadelphia
they're,
creating
more
economic
opportunities,
including
new
jobs.
Fifteen
hundred
dollars
can
go
a
long
way.
It
can
potentially
be
used
as
a
down
payment
for
an
apartment
or
other
vital
needs.
Philadelphia
has
the
fifth
largest
student
population
in
the
country.
G
The
number
is
three
hundred
forty,
two
thousand
nine
hundred
ninety
four
students,
the
average
debt
burden
of
the
students
in
Philadelphia
is
very
high,
for
example,
for
Chestnut
Hill
College,
it's
thirty,
two
thousand
two
hundred
seventy
eight
dollars
for
Temple
University,
thirty,
eight
thousand
five
hundred
nineteen
dollars
for
Lincoln
University,
forty
thousand
six
hundred
five
dollars
and
for
University
of
the
sciences,
forty
six
thousand
two
hundred
ten
dollars.
Here's
an
example
of
a
group
that
would
be
able
to
take
advantage
of
this
credit.
G
The
University
of
the
sciences
located
in
West
Philadelphia
has
a
seventh
highest
median
earnings
in
the
country
ten
years
after
enrollment
and
and
that
is
at
ninety
one
thousand
eight
hundred
dollars
in
a
city
with
one
of
the
most
significant
professional
communities
of
health
workers
inside
this
bill
may
help
these
type
of
workers
start
their
families,
buy
homes
and
continue
to
live
in
Philadelphia,
and
we
can
imagine
the
economic
impact
of
this
retention.
This
bill,
I
will
say,
does
not
do
many
things.
It
can't
do
many
things.
G
The
issue
of
the
student
debt
crisis
is
a
national
issue,
and
that
is
something
that
will
be
handled.
Ultimately,
we
hope
by
the
federal
government,
perhaps
by
the
state.
This
bill
is
intended
to
be
a
competitiveness
bill.
That
means
that,
although
there
is
great
focus
on
poverty,
it
does
not
directly
deal
with
poverty.
Education
has
been
an
answer
to
poverty,
and
education
and
training
is
the
best
way
to
lift
people
out
of
poverty
and
and
there
and
that
lifts
our
entire
city.
G
But
people
who
go
to
school
they're
not
forced
to
go
to
school,
they
choose
to
go
to
school
and
they
have
to
begin
taking
steps
for
that
choice
at
a
much
earlier
age.
They
have
to
be
encouraged
to
invest
in
themselves
for
our
city,
like
every
other
city,
we
are
competing
to
retain
and
attract
a
very
energetic,
creative,
intelligent,
skilled
and
capable
workforce
that
will
create
jobs
and
opportunities,
revitalize
our
city
pay
taxes
for
the
public
good
and
help
fund
the
programs
for
the
poor.
It
is
an
investment
in
people
rather
than
buildings.
G
It
is
a
very
difficult
discussion.
I
understand,
I,
think
this
is
what
the
city
can
do
and
I
would
finally
say
that
it
is
a
first
step.
We
can
always
tweak
and
add
and
do
other
things,
but
I
think
we
do
have
to
take
a
first
step.
I
think
one
of
the
things
that
is
also
not
oftentimes
considered
as
important
but
I
think
for
any
any
athletic
coach
or
anyone
in
the
military.
They
would
say
that
morale
is
very
important
if
don't
feel
their
government
cares,
their
city
doesn't
care.
There's
no
effort
to
do
anything.
G
H
Although
the
administration
recognizes
the
tremendous
growth
in
Philadelphia's
college-educated
population
and
the
rising
costs
of
post-secondary
education,
we
don't
believe
that
this
bill
creates
a
cost-effective
or
equitable
solution
to
the
college
debt
burden
of
city
residents.
The
bill
takes
a
scattershot
approach
when
really
a
far
more
targeted
strategy
is
needed.
Additionally,
after
the
first
five
years,
this
bill
limits
recipients
of
the
tax
credit
to
more
recent
graduates.
Only
the
bill
sets
a
high
student
debt
level
for
eligibility
and,
most
importantly,
ignores
need.
H
This
means
that
higher
earning
graduates
of
more
expensive
institutions
benefit
while
graduates
of
more
affordable
options
like
the
Community
College
of
Philadelphia,
would
be
excluded.
Students
who
are
struggling
to
complete
college
do
not
benefit
from
this
bill.
Nor
does
this
bill
address
the
root
cause
of
student
indebtedness
and
accessibility.
H
As
amended
are
conservative
estimates
of
the
expansion
of
this
credit
to
the
entire
population
of
college
graduates
with
at
least
thirty
five
thousand
dollars
of
debt
could
include
as
many
as
eighty
one
to
ninety
two
eighty
one
thousand
to
ninety
two
thousand
graduates,
potentially
costing
between
eighty
eight
million
and
one
hundred
and
thirty
nine
million
dollars
annually
for
the
first
five
years.
Such
a
large
refund
program
could
drain
funds
that
currently
go
to
essential
to
essential
city
services
and
other
assistance
programs.
H
The
lack
of
need-based
restrictions
mean
that
a
large
share
of
graduates
earning
over
a
hundred
and
twenty
percent
of
AMI
for
a
single
person
or
more
than
75
thousand
seven
hundred
and
fifty
dollars
annually
would
benefit
from
this
program.
The
city
doesn't
need
to
subsidize
the
educational
cost
of
high
wage
earners
to
attract
them,
to
move
to
Philadelphia
campus
phooey
reports,
a
one
hundred
and
fifteen
percent
increase
in
college-educated
25
to
34
year-olds
in
the
Philadelphia
region
between
2000
and
2017,
compared
to
only
forty
seven
percent
growth
across
the
nation.
H
The
Philadelphia
region
also
has
a
fifty-four
percent
retention
rate
of
college
graduates
higher
than
the
city
of
Boston.
Without
a
tax
credit,
a
tax
credit
may
not
be
the
best
mechanism
to
address
the
barriers
and
challenges
to
working
families
who
are
struggling
to
pay
for
college
right
now,
both
for
themselves
and
their
children.
We
believe
that
other
ideas
should
be
explored
and
the
administration
has
said
that
it
is
willing
to
work
with
the
City
Council
to
design
a
program
that
meets
the
needs
of
Philadelphians
who
are
struggling
to
pay
for
higher
education.
H
This
bill
does
not
address
these
barriers.
We
ask
that
the
committee
hold
the
bill
to
allow
for
a
more
thorough
exploration
of
solution
that
meet
the
goals
of
both
the
administration
and
city
council,
talent,
attraction.
Graduate
retention
and
expanding
higher
expanding
access
to
higher
education
are
essential
parts
of
the
mayor's
inclusive
growth
strategy
and
the
Department
of
Revenue
is
in
full
support
of
these
goals.
This
bill
creates
a
significant
cost
burden
to
the
city
without
providing
an
equitable
solution
to
the
rising
debt
burden
of
Philadelphia
college
graduates
as
written,
the
administration
cannot
support
this
bill.
A
G
G
We
do
tax
increases
in
a
scattershot
approach
and
then,
when
we
try
to
reduce
taxes,
I'm
told
we
need
a
comprehensive
approach.
So
it's
kind
of
like
we
need
a
comprehensive
approach
to
address
student
debt.
I
think
we
just
need
to
start
and
I
do
think
that
it's
important
to
hear
other
types
of
solutions
and
have
those
discussions,
but
I'll
see
that
they
have
a
start.
G
Unless
we
get
a
bill
out
of
committee,
I
did
introduce
a
transfer
ordinance
to
transfer
19
million
dollars
to
community
college
to
meet
the
state
requirement
of
funding
for
the
college.
So
if
the
concern
is,
we
need
to
provide
opportunities
at
Community
College
we're
currently
charging
students
by
my
calculation
22
percent
higher
in
tuition
than
what
is
required
by
state
law
and
I
would
like
to
see
that
reduced
by
the
city,
funding
Community
College
the
money
it
is
supposed
to
fund.
G
If
you
are
saying
that
we
should
lower
the
threshold
from
thirty
five
thousand
to
ten
thousand
or
five
thousand
I
would
agree
with
that
and
I'd
be
happy
to
do
it,
but
that
would
increase
the
amount
of
money
that
is
made
available
and
tax
credit.
So
I
don't
know
that.
That's
exactly
what
the
administration
is
saying
if
you're
saying
lower
I
will
be
happy
to
lower
it
as
low
as
it
can
go
and
then
finally,
I
think
you
know
the
issue
for
me
and
I
recognize
the
issues
of
poverty
and
things
like
that.
G
I
Your
testimony-
and
you
know
I-
want
to
thank
council
anno
for
bringing
this
two
to
light.
You
know
and
recognizing
that
you
know
not
just
our
nation,
you
know,
but
our
city
Philadelphia
has
endured
a
lot
of
debt
in
in
the
college
market
and
student
loans.
So
you
know
that
is
an
issue
all
right.
That
is
it.
That
is,
it
is
a
problem
not
sure
what
the
solution
is
here
today
or
not
so
I
do
have
a
couple
questions
you
had
mentioned
in
your
testimony
about
some
sort
of
narrow
programming
or
pilot
program.
I
You
know
my
son,
if
you
go
psychology
to
you,
know
of
course,
I'm
going
to
encourage
him
to
stay
here
in
City,
Philadelphia
and
I
hope
he
does.
Others
might
not
have
that.
So
with
that
approach,
you
know
that
in
mind.
Being
that
you
know,
are
you
know,
as
you
mentioned,
the
councilman
mentioned
a
scattershot
approach
being
real
broadly
had
it,
how
do
we
narrow
it
down
and
who
do
we
focus
on
and
how
do
you
test
it
and
the
councilmen
talked
about
okay?
I
A
I
Know-
and
one
thing
comes
to
mind,
is
you
know
having
it
means
having
it
means
base?
You
know,
eligibility
and
directly
tied
to
you
know
like
our
Community
College,
all
right
only
I
mean
that
would
be
one
thing
as
I'm
thinking
of
as
we
sit
here,
but
I
defer
to
you
who,
in
your
office,
who
have
done
some
research
in
this
matter
and
I'd
love
to
hear
what
your
your
suggestions,
maybe
you
want
to
want
us
on
a
narrower
or
a
pilot
program,
sure.
H
Well,
what
I
think
we're
suggesting
really
is
a
dialogue
I'm,
not
the
or
a
expert
on
student
debt
and
the
student
debt
crisis,
but
the
administration
acknowledges
that
this
is.
You
know
this
is
a
problem
and
it
really
wants
to
engage
in
discussions
to
come
up
with
a
solution
that
is
more
targeted.
I.
H
Think
that,
as
you
talk
about
two
things,
that's
being
very
broad
and
also
about
need-based
and
I-
think
that's
the
point
here,
and
one
of
it
is
that
you
know
the
average
debt
may
be
thirty
five
thousand
dollars,
so
we're
excluding
everyone
with
less
with
thirty
five
thousand
or
less
in
debt,
and
that's
still
a
significant
portion
of
people
right.
So
we're
excluding
the
person
who,
as
you
know,
$29,000
of
debt
from
this
and
and
again
at
the
expense
of
we're,
also
including
everyone
who
has
35,000
or
more
without
any
focus
on
me.
H
So
we
could
have
people
that
are
coming
out.
The
council
mentioned
the
university
of
the
sciences
and
they're.
You
know
them
being
one
of
the
higher
salaries
for
graduates,
so
we
have
people
that
are
coming
out
of
college,
gaining
employment
and
gain
and
getting
good
salaries
and
they're
included
in
this
credit,
and
we
have
people
who
have
still
have
significant,
but
maybe
not
$35,000
worth
of
debt
who
are
struggling
and
they're
excluded.
H
So
I
think
the
point
is
just
you
know
is
discussing
and
targeting
so
so
that
we
can
make
sure
we
solve
the
problem,
identify
the
problem
and
solve
the
problem
and
then
make
sure
that
we're
using
taxpayer
dollars
carefully
because
as
written,
this
is
a
very
expensive
bill
at
you
know,
with
eighty
eight
to
a
hundred
and
thirty
nine
million
dollars
annually
and
that's
potentially
for
people
where
there's
not
necessarily
need-
and
you
know
the
lack
of
benefit
for
some
who
may
be
in
need.
So
I
think.
I
I'm
glad
you
are
and
I
hope
you
can.
You
know
we
continue
to
do
that.
Take
a
look
at
you
know,
need
space
and
Community
College,
90%
of
or
more
of
community
college
students
or
Philadelphians
all
right.
So
let's
take
care
of
you
know
you
know
trying
to
encourage
and
entice.
You
know,
kids,
who
might
not
look
at
some
of
the
more
expensive
universities
or
colleges
and
and
have
something
that's
a
little
more
affordable,
something
that
we
can
incentivize.
Maybe
maybe
it's
not
even
through
a
wage
tax
credit.
I
H
J
There's
no
disagreement
or
second
thoughts
about
this
doe,
but
we
do
have
an
obligation
I'm.
Looking
for
my
notes
here,
so
what
happens
when
you
multitask
I'm
looking
for
we
have
an
obligation
to
be
fiscally
responsible
and
on
his
face,
this
sounds
exceedingly
expensive,
with
most
federal
programs
and
very
often
local
progress.
There's
something
called
a
means
test.
I
did
not
hear
that
in
your
testimony
and
I,
don't
believe
I
heard
it
from
the
sponsor
of
the
bill.
So
I
would
welcome
a
point
of
information.
A
best
number
one
number
two.
J
Having
spent
five
years
in
higher
education
with
the
principal
responsibility
of
recruiting
minority
students
for
Penn
State,
one
I
discovered
that
getting
in
is
great
graduating
is
bigger.
If
you
get
there,
there
are
too
many
students
who
drop
out
before
they
see
the
graduation
door,
and
so
what
should
we
as
a
city?
How
should
we
hold
ourselves
responsible,
ant
or
accountable
to
those
students
who
don't
even
get
a
chance
to
get
to
the
graduation
tour
because
they
can't
afford
to
get
there?
They
had
because
of
loans.
H
H
H
And
then
you
addressed
another
issue,
which
is
that
it
only
applies
to
graduates
and
there
are
lots
of
Philadelphians
with
significant
debt
who,
for
whatever
reason,
may
not
have
graduated
so
again.
That's
these
are
the
kind
of
issues
that
I
think
you
really
need
discussions.
So
we
identify
the
full
scope
of
the
problem
that
we're
trying
to
address
and
then
make
sure
that
we
have
a
bill
that
addresses
the
you
know
the
problem
to.
H
K
I'm
very
well,
thank
you.
I
just
had
a
couple
of
questions
and
around
your
testimony,
and
the
first
is
that
your
statement
at
the
bill
takes
a
scattershot
approach
and
that
we
we
need
a
far
more
targeted
strategy
and
I
heard
councilman
Heenan's
questions
which
seem
to
suggest
well.
What
is
the
administration
thinking
about?
What
are
they
working
on?
And
so
it's
a
little
frustrating
I
think
that
we're
here
having
this
hearing-
and
we
don't
have
you
know
some
suggested
remedy
from
the
administration,
because
I'm
certainly
willing
to
vote
this
bill
out
of
committee
today.
K
I
recognize
that
it's
not
a
perfect
bill
and
that
you
know
there
are
some
things.
I've
spoken
with
the
bill
sponsor
about
some
things
that
I
would
like
to
see,
particularly
addressing
you
know,
who
would
be
eligible
for
the
bill
and
making
sure
that
those
with
lower
debt
student
loan
debt
would
also
qualify,
but
I
haven't
heard
from
the
administration
what
their
suggestions
or
approach
what's
been
offered.
What's
been
put
on
the
table
with
the
with
the
sponsor,
so
that
we
have
a
working
document
from
your
end
as
well.
K
I,
just
don't
think
that
we
can
keep
kicking
this,
can
down
the
road
and
hoping
to
find
a
solution.
You
know
next
year,
the
year
after
the
year
after
that,
you
know
this
is
the
time.
Why
not
do
it
now
and
so
I
think
if
we
could
have
the
administration
be
at
the
table
with
some
suggestions
and
everyone
sort
of
hash
it
out.
That
will
probably
be
a
much
more
appropriate
approach,
especially
if
we're
really
trying
to
do
something
and
get
something
done
here.
All.
H
I
can
say
to
that
is
from
you
know,
revenue
standpoint
we
over
the
last
several
days.
You
know
we
have
been
in
consultation
with
the
bill
and
and
I
think
that's
been
productive,
there's
amendments
that
were
made
that
improve
the
bill,
but
I
don't
think
there
just
wasn't
enough
time
to
get
the
bill
to
a
point
where
you
know
it.
H
You
know
expensive
education
that
people
may
be
able
to
afford
to
pay
at
you
know
you
know
at
anytime
you
make
a
choice
and
you're
you're
really
having
winners
and
losers
in
this
process,
because
there
are
people
that
will
have
significant
debt
that
just
miss
the
cutoff
by
a
dollar
and
so
I
think
that
has
to
be
thought
through
and
discussed
when
we
make
that
decision.
Otherwise,
there
are
people
that
are
going
to
challenge.
K
And
so
it
speaks
to
me
that
the
the
administration's
policy
on
taxation
really
needs
to
be
rethought
on
a
multitude
of
levels,
because
you
can't
say
that
for
those
with
school
debt
that
they're
dead,
you
should
be
able
to
pay
yours.
But
when
we
look
at
the
ten
year
tax
abatement,
you
don't
have
to
pay
yours.
K
It
just
is
very
that's
very
scattershot
to
me,
and
so
you
know
we
also
have
the
conversation,
as
you
remember
a
few
months
ago,
about
tax
amnesty,
and
that
is
for
people
who
are
unable
to
pay
but
are
trying
to
hold
on
and
to
do
something
about
the
penalty
and
interest
on
their
properties,
and
we
were
unable
to
get
again
the
support
of
the
administration
that
there
was.
You
know
the
the
debt.
The
amount
of
the
write-off
was
much
too
large.
K
All
of
those
things,
I
think
are
things
that
should
be
included,
but
I
also
think
that
we
have
the
time
to
get
this
done
before
December
there's
a
lot
of
days
between
now
and
December
to
see
this
go
on
final
passage
and
I
think
that
this
is
something
we
can
get
done.
So
you
know
I,
thank
you
for
your
testimony,
but
I
really
do
disagree
with
our
ability
to
be
able
to
make
this
happen.
So
thank
you,
madam
chair
Thank,.
G
You
very
much
I
just
want
to
noted
that,
with
the
35,000
threshold,
the
administration,
what
is
estimating
that
it
would
be
taken
advantage
by
about
35,000
people,
and
it
would
ultimately
be
52
million
dollars
and
by
making
it
available
to
not
just
recent
graduates
but
to
everyone
in
Philadelphia
when
it
first
rolls
out
which
makes
it
a
better
bill.
It
increases
a
tax
credit
to
what
the
administration
says.
88
million
to
139
million
I
really
haven't,
checked
those
numbers,
but
to
say
it's
a
better
bill
and
then
to
oppose
it
because
it
costs
more.
G
It
doesn't
sound
like
you're,
actually
looking
for
a
better
bill,
as
I
said,
I'm
happy
to
lower
the
threshold,
but
I
don't
want
to
have
a
discussion
about
lowering
the
threshold
to
make
it
better
and
then
be
told
like
it's
too
expensive.
So
I
will
like
the
administration
to
come
to
like
a
number
that
it
feels
with
council
and
that
discussion
because,
as
I
said,
I'm
happy
to
go
to
zero.
Thank
you.
H
And
it's
just
to
clarify
my
my
comment
about
it.
Being
a
better
bill
was
not
about
expanding
it,
it
was
about
tying
it
to
repayment,
because
the
original
bill
would
have
given
the
credit
to
people
who
had
the
debt
and
were
in
default,
so
it
there
was
no
connection
to
repayment
and
the
amendment
tied
it
to
repayment,
which
I
think
makes
sense.
We
wouldn't
necessarily
want
to
be
giving
the
credit
to
people
who
have
debt
and
are
not
actively
attempting
to
repay.
So
that
was
my
comment.
It
wasn't
about
the
expansion.
F
Thank
you,
madam
chair
and
hello
to
you,
Commissioner
Breslin.
Let
me
just
start
by
noting
for
the
record
that
I
surely
agree
with
the
sentiment
that
has
been
expressed
by
both
councilmembers
Reynolds,
Brown
and
Councilman
Heenan,
and
want
to
thank
our
colleague
the
sponsor
of
this
legislation
for
helping
to
force
the
conversation
on
this
very
very
important
issue.
I'm
a
firm
believer
that,
if
we
are
ever
to
really
close
the
gap
between
the
haves
and
the
have-nots
in
our
city,
we
cannot
do
so
without
having
a
coordinated
approach.
F
F
Douglas
Weber
from
from
Temple
and
Christine
Baker
Smith
from
the
Hope
Center
for
college
community
and
justice
at
Temple
University,
and
then
there
was
some
testimony
that
was
included
in
our
packet
from
Ashley
Bryant
student
at
Temple
and
a
Joe
Overman,
a
former,
a
student
because
all
of
their
testimony
affirms
what
we
know
about
the
challenges
and
the
cost
of
Admissions
and
its
impact
on
Philadelphia
residents.
So
again,
I
want
to
thank
the
sponsor.
However,
my
question
to
you,
commissioner,
is
the
bill
as
written.
F
What
would
its
impact
be
on
older
borrowers
who
have
student
debt,
who
are
age
of
60
or
older,
and
the
reason
why
I
asked
this
question
is
that
we
know
that
the
number
of
people
aged
60
and
older
with
student
loan
debt?
It
has
quadrupled
over
the
last
decade
in
the
u.s.
that
those
numbers
have
gone
from
about
700,000
to
2.8
million
individuals,
and
this
was
according
to
a
January
2017
report
from
the
consumer
finance
Protection
Bureau.
F
So
if
your
mother
or
father
as
Councilwoman
Reynolds
brown
note,
it
is
not
situated
to
just
write
the
check
when
the
tuition
bill
comes
that
debt
is
being
assumed
by
older
borrowers.
In
many
instances.
For
current
students,
the
weight
of
bill
is
written.
If
I
am
the
borrower
who
is
assuming
the
debt
on
behalf
of
someone
else,
would
I
be
eligible.
F
So,
if
so,
so,
if
I'm,
taking,
if
I'm
doing
what
my
grandparents
did
and
taking
care
of
me
and
they
took
out
the
loan,
you
know
on
my
behalf
to
help
to
finance
my
education
and
although
they
aren't
rich
and
they're
they're,
you
know
stealing
from
Peter
to
pay
Paul
to
make
ends
meet,
they
would
not
be
eligible.
Only
I
would
be
eligible,
even
if
they
took
out
the
debt
on
my
behalf.
H
F
Again,
let
me
just
and
and
again
the
reason
why
I
note
that,
and
what
wanted
to
get
an
answer
to
that
question
on
a
record
is
because
again
I
support
the
sponsors
intent
of
this
legislation
and
I.
Thank
him
for
even
introducing
it
in
forcing
the
conversation,
because
there's
no
way
that
we
as
a
city
can
think
that
we
will,
you
know,
be
successful
in
helping
to
ensure
that
those
who
are
you
know
not
wealthy
enough
to
just
not
just
get
accepted,
but
to
stay
but
to
stay
because
getting
getting
in.
F
As
you
mentioned,
Councilwoman
Reynolds
Brown
is
only
half
the
challenge.
The
issue
is:
how
do
you
get
cleared
every
semester?
That's
what
they
used
to
call
it.
When
I
was
there,
you
know
you
couldn't
start
to
make
some
s
of
your
bill.
Wasn't
paid.
You
didn't
get
clear,
so
us
I
support
that
and
won
a
commend.
F
You
know
across
the
city,
who
are
a
part
of
what
I
would
call
ship
care
environments.
That
means
someone
other
than
a
biological,
mother
or
father
who
is
helping
to
raise.
You
know
a
young
person
that,
as
we
talk
about
a
more
holistic
approach,
that
includes
the
city
and
particularly
the
state
that
we
that
we
think
about
that
unique
demographic.
So
thank
you
for
just
clarifying
for
me
on
the
record
whether
or
not
this
bill
would
impact
that
constituency,
which
is
also
found
itself
saddled
and
student
loan
debt.
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
for
your
patience.
D
You,
madam
chair,
mr.
president,
just
exhibition,
but
just
so
I'm
clear
on
this,
because
I
know
you
had
said
that
the
amendments
that
the
councilman
is
would
be
offering
improve
the
bill,
but
you
also
say
about
how
much
more
it
would
cost.
So
what
you're
saying
is
you're,
you
think
part
of
the
amendments
are
positive
and
others
are
not
because
it
would
cost
more.
Is
it
well.
H
H
A
requirement
for
repayment
of
the
debt,
so
so
that
was
one
that
was
added
so
when
I
refer
to
it
as
being
improved.
That
was
one
of
the
comments
that
I
think
came
out
of
the
discussion
and
it
was
added
to
the
bill,
not
necessarily
the
expansion
that
included
more
people,
but
still
did
not
address
it
being
need-based.
H
So
you
know
the
comments
in
my
testimony.
That
said
that
it
need
to
be
more
targeted,
still
applies
there,
that
that
just
made
it
even
broader
and
more
expensive
and
didn't
really
get
us
to
targeting.
You
know
who
are
the
people
that
were
trying
to
help,
rather
than
just
everyone
who
has
student
debt
over
$35,000
I,
think
that
that
stayed,
and
that's
one
of
the
issues
as
well.
Okay,.
I
I
Without
you
know,
in
an
exorbitant
amount
of
cost
that
we
might
be
able
to
assist
all
right
in
one
form
or
a
fashion
and
I'm,
not
quite
sure
if
a
tax
credit
is
the
way
to
go,
opposed
to
a
grant,
I,
don't
know
what
those
options
are,
because
we're
not
really
talking
about
them
today.
So
my
answer
to
you
is,
you
know,
because
I'm
not
comfortable
moving
forward
with
this
with
this
bill
here
today
until
we
come
up.
I
I
I
I
Then
somebody
receiving
a
tax
credit
to
their
to
their
wages,
I'm,
not
sure
because
I,
we
don't
have
answers
to
those
questions
now
so
I
think
we
need
to
set
goals.
I
think
we
need
to
look
at
it
a
lot
more
comprehensively,
and
you
know,
starting
with
our
core
community
college
and
encourage
people
to
use
that,
since
it
is,
you
know
the
City
Philadelphia.
I
You
know
college
that
you
know
they'd
be
a
part
of
this
conversation
moving
forward
again,
not
sure
where
tax
credit
grants,
other
programs
all
sure
gonna
factor
and
I'm
gonna
end
with.
Are
there
any
other
tax
credits
towards
or
wage
income
here
in
a
city
Philadelphia?
And
if
there
is,
how
much
does
it
utilize?
I
H
Don't
generally
do
tax
credits
against
the
wage
tax,
this
would
really
be
a
refund
process,
and
so
the
person
would
have
to
file
a
refund
petition.
Would
it
really
get
into
the
administrative
burden,
which
would
be
extremely
significant?
With
this?
The
reason
we
don't
do:
wage
tax
credits,
it's
just
the
way
city
taxes
are
structured.
We
don't
have
a
personal
income
tax,
so
residents
don't
file
a
tax
return
like
they
do
with
the
state
of
Pennsylvania,
where
everyone
files,
a
Pennsylvania
income
tax,
return
every
April.
H
So
in
this
case
we
have
a
wage
tax
and
the
wage
tax
is
remitted
by
the
employer,
and
so
we
know
how
much
is
remitted
every
month
or
week
and
depending
on
the
filing
frequency
of
the
employer,
but
we
don't
have
all
the
detail
of
every
employee.
So
really
what
ends
up
happening
is
it
ends
up
a
refund
petition,
which
is
a
little
bit
of
a
difficult
process.
We
do
have
the
low
income
wage
tax
reduction.
H
That
works
like
this,
where,
when
your
incomes
below
a
certain
level,
you
can
get
a
half
a
percent
reduction
in
your
wage
tax.
We
don't
have
huge
participation
in
that
program.
I
think
we
have
about
2,000
applicants
per
year
and
I.
Think
part
of
the
reason
is
it's
a
very
difficult
process.
You
know
you
have
to
go
through
an
application.
Then
you
have
to
in
this
case
you
would
have
to
file
a
refund
petition.
H
You
would
have
to
attach
all
of
your
documentation
submit
that
by
mail
we
don't
have
an
electronic
process
for
that,
and
then
we
have
to
go
through
each
of
those
individually
and
either
grant
or
deny
the
refund
and
then
send
the
money
to
the
taxpayer.
So
it's
a
little
bit
of
a
difficult
process.
So
there's
not
a
lot
of
you
know
we
don't
utilize
wage
tax
credits
very
often.
E
As
an
aside
by
the
way,
just
want
to
give
you
your
you
and
your
department
I
think
your
when
I
started,
your
collection
rates
were
like
89
to
91
percent
on
real
estate
taxes
and
now
you're
up
to
96
point
five.
So
a
great
job,
that's
really
yeah.
Well,
we
have
a
lot
more
money
that
we
can
spend
because
we're
collecting
more
taxes.
I
guess
that's
great
so
on
this
topic,
I
want
to
come
in
councilman.
Oh
I.
Think
it's
a
very
important
topic.
E
I
just
want
to
share
some
facts
that
may
have
some
weight
on
our
decisions.
I
think
you
bench
in
your
testimony.
12
years
ago,
non-native
college
graduates
of
schools
in
Philadelphia
24%
stayed
here,
while
Boston
was
48
percent.
Today,
66
percent
stay
here,
while
Boston's
51%
we're
actually
beating
Boston,
and
so
we
are
attracting
Millennials
that
we
are
attracting
baby
boomers.
An
aside
problem
is
that
we
have
many
Millennials
who
commute
to
jobs
in
the
suburbs
every
day.
E
Vanguard
that
has
seven
vans,
that
pick
up
millennial
students
at
the
train
station
at
Valley
Forge
every
day,
and
that's
something
that
we
need
to
address.
Why
do
we
have
all
these
companies
out
in
the
suburbs,
which
is
probably
due
to
the
bird
taxes
and
other
taxes?
So
we
need
to
address
that,
but
in
the
area
of
student
loan,
I've
been
looking
at
this
for
a
year
down
at
that
with
several
banks,
because
I
have
kind
of
a
same
ideas
as
councilmen.
E
Oh
and
how
do
we
help
people
and
one
of
the
ways
I
thought
we
could?
Maybe
this
is
an
adjustment
or
a
different
way
to
look
at
it
as
many
of
the
student
debt
right
now
is
that
higher
interest
rates
and
if
we
could
put
together
a
consortium
of
four
or
five
local
banks
that
could
offer
refinancing
of
the
college
debt
and
a
lower
interest
rate,
we
could
dramatically
save
more
dollars
and
what
we're
talking
about
in
this
program
so
I'm
just
throwing
that
out,
is
another
idea
that
will
not
cost
the
city
money.
E
But
we
would
basically
ask
our
local
banks
to
come
together
with
a
50
million
or
75
million
dollar
package
of
debt,
that
we
could
refinance
student
debt
and
lower
their
payments
dramatically
and
I
think
the
banks
would
be
somewhat
willing
to
do
this,
especially
this
interest
rate
environment.
You
a
lot
of
student
debt
out
there,
that's
six,
seven,
eight
nine
percent
and
today's
environment
you're
at
four
or
five
or
even
lower,
so
that
savings
can
be
accrued
without
costing
the
city
money.
E
When
you
look
at
any
program,
though
26
25
percent
of
the
population
of
this
in
the
country,
their
college
debt
of
the
lower
quartile
is
26,000
on
average
and
only
represents
12
percent
of
all
college
debt.
Most
of
the
college
debt
is
focused
around
wealthier
residents
of
this
country.
I
don't
have
the
stats
for
Philadelphia.
E
Have
the
stats
of
United
States
so
we're
gonna
do
a
program
I
think
we
need
to
focus
on
the
lower
income
and
how
do
we
help
those
people
that
are
struggling
to
pay
college
debt
was
average
college
debt
for
25
percent
of
this
country
is
under
26,000
or
population,
so
that
has
to
be
focused
on
that.
But
I
do
like
the
idea
of
getting
the
banks
involved
and
trying
to
have
them,
refinance
the
debt
privately
versus
having
the
city
of
having
a
cost,
but
using
the
government
to
help
make
that
happen
anyway.
G
G
I
I
think
if
you
try
to
deal
with
poverty
through
this
type
of
bill
and
I'm,
not
saying
there
aren't
other
types
of
bills
for
a
city,
state
or
federal
government
I'm.
Just
saying
that
this
type
of
bill
is
a
competitiveness
bill,
because,
while
you're
talking
about
poverty,
you
are
dramatically
increasing
the
costs
and
you're
arguing
against
the
cost.
You're
already
saying
you
can't
afford
to
do
a
more
and
you
were
and-
and
there
was
arguments
against
the
bill,
even
at
50
million
and
so
now
going
into
a
hundred
million.
G
150
million
definitely
won't
pass
and
won't
have
the
support
of
the
administration,
so
realistically
I'm
constraining
the
bill
to
what
it
can
in
a
range
that
I
believe
is
doable
in
a
financial
sense
that
can
be
passed
outside
of
that
I
I,
don't
think
we're
going
to
have
this
discussion
and
I
would
say,
I'm
happy
to
discuss
it
once
the
bill
passes
out
of
committee.
The
bill
is
held,
I.
Think
that's
the
end
of
the
discussion.
That's
what
I've
always
seen.
Maybe
there
could
be
another
discussion,
but
I
just
don't
see
it.
D
Just
very
quickly
ma'am,
chair,
Commission
President
on
councilman
hos
point:
will
you
go
on
record,
saying
you'll
you
will
sit
down
and
try
to
work
with
the
sponsors
on
this,
because
I
have
to
tell
you
personally
I'm
not
ready
to
move
this
out
today.
So
what
will
you
be
willing
to
continue
the
conversation
we
had
a
sponsor?
Okay.
Thank
you.
F
Thank
you
and
I
totally
concur.
I,
totally
concur
with
the
statements
made
by
my
colleague,
councilman
Greenlee,
and
also
just
wanted
to
note
for
the
record
that
an
interest
in
holding
the
bill
for
further
discussion
is
not
abandoning
it's
not
abandoning
wanting
to
address
the
issue.
It's
just
wanting
to
hold
it
for
further
discussion.
So
the
idea
that,
if,
in
fact,
we
support
the
holding
of
this
bill,
we
are
in
fact
attempting
to
abandon
the
discussion
or
working
together
in
a
proactive
manner
to
develop
solutions.
F
A
Absolutely
we
do
have
other
witnesses.
Thank
you,
Thank
You
councilman
panel
Thank
You,
commissioner
Douglas
Weber
and
Kristy
Baker
Smith.
We
call
on
you
Douglas
Weber,
professor
Temple
University,
Kristy,
Baker
Smith,
also
professor
at
Temple
University.
Thank
you
very
much.
We
thank
you
for
being
here,
have
a
seat
and
identify
yourselves
and
begin
your
testimony.
A
N
M
Distinguished
members
of
the
hill
Philadelphia
City
Council
Committee
on
Finance,
thank
you
very
much
for
inviting
me
to
this
important
hearing
as
a
researcher
who
strives
to
do
policy-relevant
work
in
the
area
of
higher
education.
This
is
truly
another
I
commend
you
all
for
your
focus
on
this
important
issue.
I
hope
that
you
find
my
testimony
today.
Useful
student
debt
is
a
major
issue
for
today's
youth.
Due
to
the
severe
financial
and
credit
consequences
of
default
and
the
fact
that
student
loan
debt
cannot
be
discharged
in
bankruptcy.
M
Today's
student
borrowers
are
hamstrung
in
ways
that
previous
generations
were
not
much
of.
My
research
has
focused
on
both
the
causes
and
consequences
of
student
debt,
as
well
as
other
areas
of
higher
education,
finance,
which
I'd
be
happy
to
answer.
Questions
about
later.
Philadelphia
is
a
city
with
limited
resources
and
extreme
income
inequality.
So
it
is
imperative
that
the
money
that
you
spend,
that
you
choose
to
space
is
used
in
the
most
socially
beneficial
way
possible.
M
Well,
I
very
much
believe
in
the
general
thought
of
this
bill,
and
then
it
is
a
very
worthy
endeavor
I'd
like
to
spend
my
time
today
discussing
ways
that
the
bill
could
be
better
targeted
to
those
who
are
struggling
first.
There
are
far
more
people
struggling
with
small
amounts
of
debt
than
say
less
than
$10,000
than
large
amounts.
For
example,
only
3%
of
the
college
student
population
borrowed
more
than
say
$100,000,
and
the
majority
of
those
who
did
so
did
that
through
borrowing
for
graduate
school,
which
is
very
likely
to
pay
off.
M
Not
only
is
this
level
of
student
debt
borrowing,
student
borrowing,
an
outlier,
but
students
with
this
much
debt
are
on
average,
doing
much
better
than
those
with
less
than
10,000
in
debt.
A
statistic
which
shocks
most
people
is
that
the
default
rate
among
students
with
less
than
5,000
dollars
in
debt
is
twice
as
high
as
the
default
rate
for
borrowers
with
over
$100,000.
There
are
two
reasons
for
this.
First
is
the
previously
mentioned
graduate
education.
M
More
importantly,
though,
is
that
students
who
struggle
the
most
are
those
who
didn't
graduate
many
of
the
borrowers
with
less
than
$10,000.
In
debt
fall
into
this
category,
graduates
with
four-year
degrees
will
make
an
average
of
nine
hundred
thousand
dollars
more
over
their
lifetimes
than
the
typical
high
school
graduate.
Now
this
is
an
average,
so
many
will
make
considerably
less.
But
my
point
is
this:
I
would
much
rather
be
a
college
graduate
with
$40,000
in
debt
did
not
have
a
degree
in
only
5,000
in
debt.
M
Let
me
be
clear:
there
are
many
people
with
significant
student
debt
who
did
attend,
who
did
not
attend
a
four-year
school
or
who
went
to
a
predatory
institution
which
made
outsize
promises
about
what
a
degree
would
get
them.
In
other
words,
there
are
absolutely
graduates
who
are
struggling,
but
from
both
a
perspective
of
the
number
of
borrowers
and
the
severity
of
struggling
being,
a
college
dropout
is
a
more
serious
issue.
I
therefore
urge
you
to
consider
this
as
you
deliberate
over
the
language
in
the
bill.
One
consideration
you
might
make
is
two
income
limits.
M
A
N
Thank
you
again
for
this
opportunity.
I
am
speaking
to
you
from
the
Hope
Center
for
college
community
and
justice,
which
is
one
of
the
leading
action
research
centers
in
the
arena
of
college
affordability.
Our
research
reveals
that
as
many
as
75
percent
of
all
families
find
college
unaffordable.
Today,
the
fact
that
college
is
unaffordable
decreases
students,
performance
and
motivation
in
high
school.
It
diminishes
the
odds
that
they
will
get
to
and
through
college,
and
it
increases
the
chances
that
they
will
end
up
with
debt.
They
cannot
repay
Philadelphia's.
N
N
This
puts
us
at
a
disadvantage
since
college
degrees
in
both
academic
and
technical
fields,
have
widespread
pay
off
for
their
communities.
People
with
degrees
create
more
earnings
not
only
for
themselves,
but
those
around
them
like
those
grandparents
that
support
debt,
they
pay
more
taxes,
they
rely
less
on
government
funded
programs
and
they
are
more
likely
to
volunteer
and
support
philanthropic
organizations.
N
Proposals
such
as
these
will
help
the
ambitious
and
hardworking
people
entering
college
every
year
in
this
city
to
escape
conditions
of
poverty,
long
enough
to
obtain
their
college
degree
and
avoid
propelling
them
into
poverty
over
the
weight
of
their
student
debt
without
sufficient
food
to
eat
and
a
safe
place
to
sleep.
Most
people
have
trouble
learning
food
and
housing
security,
our
educational
expenses.
N
N
Borrowing,
for
these
needs
is
understandable,
yet
risky,
because
loan
limits
often
means
students
fall
short
over
half
of
students
at
Temple,
University
and
and
the
Community
College
of
Philadelphia
experienced
food
and
or
housing
and
security,
while
they
seek
their
college
degree.
This
increases
the
likelihood
that
these
students
will
have
to
take
out
more
loans
and
decreases
their
odds
of
graduation
leaving
college
without
a
degree,
as
my
colleague
has
said,
is
a
widespread
problem.
N
Far
too
many
philadelphians
make
it
only
a
year
or
two
into
college
before
leaving
without
earning
anything
but
debt
similar
to
other
large
cities.
One
in
six
Philadelphians,
who
are
over
25
years
old,
have
earned
some
credits
towards
a
college
degree,
yet
they
do
not
hold
one.
This
is
why
borrowers
with
the
least
debt
have
the
most
trouble
repaying
their
loans.
N
We
must
recognize
also
the
racialized
implications
of
these
problems.
Our
work
shows
that
black
students
take
on
more
loans,
amass
higher
amounts
of
those
loans
and
experience
greater
difficulty
paying
off
those
loans.
They
also
disproportionately
attend
for-profit
ecologists,
where
the
prices
are
high
and
the
returns
are
low.
The
city
of
Philadelphia
must
take
bold
action
to
counteract
these
destructive
trends.
N
Talented
young
people
from
families
with
modest
incomes
are
turning
away
from
college
at
rates
higher
than
ever
before.
Millions
of
people
are
starting
college.
Many
lured
by
the
promise
of
financial
aid
only
to
face
insurmountable
financial
challenges
once
they
arrive
promising
that
opportunities
emerge
when
people
attend
college
and
then
putting
the
price
of
attendance
out
of
reach
is
a
bait
and
switch
that
betrays
our
American
Dream.
N
A
O
Good
afternoon
Council
good
morning,
Council.
Thank
you
for
having
me
my
name
is
Joe
Oval
Minh
I
have
two
hundred
and
twenty-nine
thousand
dollars
in
student
loan
debt
student
loan
I'd
like
to
start
with
a
statement.
I
was
at
the
AG
Shapiro's
meeting
last
night
and
fumbled
through
this,
so
I
have
it
written
down
student
loan
debt
forgiveness
as
solely
a
taxpayer
burden,
as
this
bill
suggests
demonizes
the
student
loan
debt
holder,
while
exonerating
the
financial
institutions
that
block
that
back
the
note
and
the
institutions
of
higher
education
that
sell
the
kool-aid.
O
The
kool-aid
is
a
bad
bill
of
goods,
a
degree
for
which
the
cost-benefit
analysis
says
run
run
run.
But
the
University
and
Bank
says
sign
sign,
sign,
I
worked
through
undergrad
finished
with
$0
an
undergraduate
degree.
Debt
moved
to
New
York
City
and
had
a
critical
and
have
a
critical
acclaim
as
an
artist.
But
I
was
hungry
all
the
time
and
had
no
health.
Insurance
I
went
to
an
open
house
at
University
of
Pennsylvania
a
private
university
here
in
Philadelphia
and
was
lied
to
by.
O
Officers
of
the
university
people
who
work
for
the
university
about
what
I
would
get
for
my
degree,
I
did
everything
they
said.
I
should
do
and
still
I
have
no
job
I'm
here
today.
For
three
reasons:
one
is
to
so
that
my
nieces
and
nephews
and
my
friends,
kids,
have
options
other
than
student
loan
debt
stop
peddling.
That
college
is,
for
everyone,
hold
colleges,
universities,
lenders
and
the
borrower
accountable,
make
student
loan
debt
dischargeable
in
bankruptcy.
O
When
my
debt
is
forgiven,
I
once
had
an
$11,000
credit
card
bill,
I
paid
6,000
off
in
cash
and
that
year
five
thousands
had
ended
up
on
my
income
taxes.
Income.
That
same
thing
is
going
to
happen
with
all
these
people
they're
pushing
into
income
driven
repayment
at
the
end
of
their
repayment
period.
Their
forgiveness
amount
as
it
stands
right
now
will
be
counted
as
income
and
then
the
IRA,
the
IRS
will
own
them.
O
I'm
a
well
I
did
I
would
like
to
so
I
would
like
to
start
a
finish
where
I
began
when
we
make
student
loan
debt
forgiveness
solely
a
taxpayer
burden.
You've
demonized
me
as
a
debt
holder,
who
was
lied
to
sold
a
bad
bill
of
goods,
was
backed
by
professionals
in
the
room,
saying
sign,
sign,
sign
for
a
degree
they
knew
most
likely
was
not
going
to
pay
for
itself
and
that's
how
we
stop
the
student
loan
debt
crisis.
A
O
A
G
This
was
submitted
by
Ashley
Bryant
good
morning.
Everyone
I'm,
a
student
at
Temple,
University,
studying
IT
and
programming.
I
am
graduating
in
May
I'm.
Also,
a
first-generation
college
student
from
a
blue-collar
family
I
solely
funded,
my
entire
education
amassing
a
large
amount
of
student
debt
I'm,
currently
devising
my
five-year
prost
post-grad
plans
with
my
boyfriend,
which
includes
our
intention
to
pay
down
as
much
of
our
combined
student
debt
as
possible.
G
Luckily
I'm
fortunate
enough
to
have
offers
of
employment
waiting
for
me
after
graduation,
some
with
incentives
to
relocate
the
tech
industry
is
rapidly
expanding
in
Philadelphia,
but
also
in
several
other
major
cities
across
the
country.
The
Philadelphia
wage
tax
is
one
of
the
reasons
I
cite
for
looking
elsewhere
for
employment,
because
I
must
maximize
my
contributions
toward
my
student
loans.
The
proposed
tax
credit
would
highly
incentivize
me
to
stay
in
this
city.
It
would
allow
me
to
be
accountable
for
my
student
debt
and
participate
in
rites
of
passage
like
marriage
and
home
ownership.
A
D
A
L
D
D
A
Has
been
moved
and
seconded
that
bill
numbers
one,
nine,
zero,
five,
zero,
nine
and
one
nine
zero;
seven
one:
nine
zero,
seven,
zero
six
be
reported
out
of
committee
with
the
favorable
recommendation
and
a
recommendation
for
suspension
of
the
rule
so
as
to
permit
first
hearing
at
our
next
of
counsel,
all
in
favor
say:
aye
oppose
the
eyes.
Have
it,
and
so
these
two
bills
are
reported
out
and,
as
we
said,
bill
number
one
nine
zero.
Six
one
six
will
be
held
in
committee
pending
the
call
of
the
chair.
A
B
A
Right
this
is
an
interesting
bill
and
certainly
we
will
call
forward
panel,
one
Paul
stanky
executive
director
of
Preservation
Alliance
of
Greater
Philadelphia
Patrick
grossie
advocacy,
director
Preservation
Alliance
of
Greater
Philadelphia,
and
we
will
also
have,
after
that
Shawn
Solomon,
homeowner
and
Barbara
wolf,
honam
homeowner.
We
note
that
people's
emergency
center,
our
own
James
Wright,
has
submitted
written
testimony,
but
he
couldn't
be
here
to
to
present
it,
and
so
we
will
submit
that
as
though
it
were
read
as
part
of
the
testimony
for
this
hearing.
A
O
The
Preservation
Alliance
was
happy
to
this
resolution,
come
forward
from
Councilwoman
Blackwell,
because
we
I
think
we
can
agree
on
two
things.
Everyone
in
this
room,
one
is
that
Philadelphia
is
a
very
historic
city
and
two
it's
a
city
that
has
a
very
large
number
of
low
to
moderate
income
homeowners,
and
so,
since
homeowners,
myself
being
one
and
probably
all
of
you
as
well,
are
primarily
responsible
for
maintaining
our
houses
and
since
Philadelphia
is
a
very
historic
City.
O
It's
appropriate
for
our
city
government
to
consider
ways
to
incentivize
and
assist
homeowners
with
their
responsibilities,
especially
in
neighborhoods
that
have
historic
character
and
are
worthy
of
preservation
like
our
many
historic
districts
around
the
city.
So
we're
glad
that
this
is
something
that
you
all
are
beginning
to
consider
and
we
thank
councilman
Blackwell
for
her
leadership
and
suggesting
it
I
do
want
to
offer
one
thing,
which
is
the
Preservation
Alliance
itself.
O
The
grants
were
used
to
cover
the
difference
between,
in
a
renovation
project,
to
the
exterior
of
the
house
between
the
standard
cost
that
it
might
cost
to
do
the
work
and
any
increased
cost
that
is
required
because
of
the
historic
standards
of
the
Philadelphia
Historical
Commission.
We,
the
grants
were
limited
to
$20,000
and
we
made
almost
a
hundred
of
those
grants
between
the
years
2006
and
2012
and
that
leveraged
additional
investment
from
those
homeowners
and
helped
to
preserve
those
houses
in
those
neighborhoods.
O
So
we
offer
that,
as
a
recent
model,
that
we
were
directly
involved
in
with
the
help
of
the
city
to
achieve
the
kind
of
goal
that
I
think
is
implicit
in
the
resolution
the
councilmember
blackwell
introduced.
There
are
some
examples
in
other
cities
of
similar
programs
programs
that
are
structured
somewhat
differently,
but
all
of
which
have
the
same
end.
Some
of
them
are
loans.
Some
of
them
are
grants.
O
Finally,
we've
also
invited
a
pair
of
witnesses
who
owned
homes
in
some
of
our
city's
historic
districts
and
they've,
kindly
agreed
to
be
here
today,
they're
sitting
in
front
of
you
and
hopefully
they'll
be
at
this
table
to
answer
questions
about
their
own
experience
and
that
of
their
neighbors.
Thank
you.
P
Hello,
my
name
is
Patrick
gracias.
Paul
mentioned
I'm.
The
director
of
advocacy
with
the
Preservation
Alliance
I
just
want
to
add
to
two
further
points
of
information.
One
is
really
just
to
reiterate.
At
present,
there
is
no
program
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia
specifically
catered
to
owner
occupants
of
historic
houses
and
when
I
say
historic,
I
mean
buildings
that
are
sit
on
the
Philadelphia
Register
of
Historic
Places.
P
So
we
have
any
number
of
homeowner
assistance
programs,
but
none
currently
that's
specifically
cater
to
an
owner-occupant
of
a
historic
house
or
for
that
matter,
a
small
business
owner
of
a
historic
or
legacy
business.
There's
things
like
the
historic
rehabilitation,
Tax
Credit,
that's
a
federal
program.
It's
had
a
lot
of
success
in
adapting
historic
properties,
but
that
program
is
limited
to
income
producing
properties.
Owner
occupant
cannot
apply
for
that
program.
P
It
really
makes
most
sense
when
you're
converting
a
large
historic
building
like
a
former
church
or
school
or
a
factory,
to
some
kind
of
modern
use,
great
program,
but
not
one
that
meets
the
needs
that
the
philadelphians
were
talking
about
today,
and
the
second
thing
is
I.
Do
just
want
to
mention
that
one
of
the
recommendations
that
emerge
from
the
historic
preservation
task
force,
which
mayor
Kenny
called
about
two
years
ago,
was
for
the
creation
of
a
preservation
trust
fund.
This
would
operate
in
theory
very
similarly
to
the
housing
trust
fund.
P
It
would
be
a
bonus
structure
that
you
would
get
relating
to
either
density
bonuses,
height
bonuses,
that's
being
worked
out
as
we
speak.
We
have
not
seen
language
on
that
yet,
but
planning
and
development
in
the
law
department
currently
working
on
it.
It's
another
potential
avenue
to
get
some
much-needed
assistance
to
low
and
moderate-income
families
who
own
and
operate
historic
properties
so
likewise
happy
to
answer
any
questions
you
might
have
thanks
for
your
time,
Thank.
M
You,
madam
chair,
and
then
Thank
You,
Patrick
and
Paul
for
being
here,
understanding
that
the
historic
task
force
the
force
have
made
a
lot
of
recommendations
and
as
we
go
through
them
to
implement
some
of
the
ones
that
we
could
do
legislatively.
There's
a
couple
that
are
going
to
be
in
our
hearings
coming
up,
but
the
this
one
where
we
to
provide
a
a
fund
is
is
something
that
you're
correct.
The
language
still
hasn't
been
worked
out
between
law
and
planning,
and
but
it's
it's
something
that
we
have
a
big
interest
in
moving
forward.
M
We
know
there's
a
need,
especially
people
on
the
underserved
areas
that
have
is
too
properties
who
have
a
hard
time
managing
their
their
historic
homes
and
I.
Think
sort
of
what
we
were
talking
about
earlier,
where
there's
a
way
to
work
on
the
ability
of
people
who
have
wages
and
income
that
is
low
to
be
able
to
have
access
to
this
fund
is
something
that's
trying
to
be
worked
out
in
this.
M
That's
probably
what's
driving
the
timeline
on
getting
it
introduced,
but
I
think
it's
important
and
I
think
it's
necessary
and
if
we
really
want
to
be
a
city
of
the
first
class
in
a
historic
city
that
we
are
I
think
this
is
something
that
we
need
to
do
moving
forward
and
thank
you
both
for
your
advocacy
and
and
then
working
with
historic
task
force
to
make
this
all
happen.
We
appreciate
it.
A
We
say
thank
you
as
well,
and
then
we
look
forward
to
working
with
councilman
squirrel
on
this
issue.
We're
kind
of
thinking
the
same
way
that
we
need
to
do
something
to
help
these
people-
and
you
know,
Lucien
Blackwell-
was
councilman
back
in
the
day
when
the
whole
discussion
first
came
up
and
Rousseau
community
association
and
others
always
asked
every
term.
We
get
the
question
of
the
whole
issue
of
historic
preservation,
and
my
comment
has
always
been
getting
me.
A
The
majority
of
the
people
always
supported,
then
we
always
have
the
issue
of
who
can
afford
it,
and
so
maybe
we
can
at
some
point.
Maybe
we
can
come
up
with
ways
to
service
your
good
intentions
and
and
those
who
are
so
so
committed
to
this,
and
maybe
we
can
find
some
way
to
have
things
happen.
Thank
you
very
much
and.
O
This
would
be
an
incentive
and
again
it
would
have
to
be
very
carefully
thought-out
and
administered,
but
it
would
send
a
signal
to
the
residents
of
our
historic
neighborhoods
that
we
as
a
city
really
value
those
neighborhoods
and
want
to
see
investment
in
them
with
some
assistance
from
a
fund
like
this
and
I
have
to
say,
I
do
remember
actually
once
sitting
in
your
living
room
on
Melville
Street,
with
your
late
husband,
councilman
Blackwell.
Having
a
discussion
too.
Very
much
like
this
I'll
always
remember
that,
yes,.
D
F
You,
madam
chair
I,
wanted
to
just
start
with
a
special
thank
you
to
both
you,
along
with
councilman
Squealer,
for
your
leadership
in
this
area
and
to
say
that
I
view
this
effort
Councilwoman
as
another
tool
in
our
toolbox.
That
could
certainly
enhance
our
city's
efforts
to
preserve
all
neighborhoods
in
this
city
of
Philadelphia,
and
so
it's
with
that
in
mind
that
I
want
you
two
to
help
me
Paul.
If
you
can
I'm
curious
about
the
historic
property
repair
program,
I.
Think
in
your
testimony
you
said
the
grants
were
limited
to
20,000.
That's.
O
O
O
F
K
F
Someone
was
about
to
demolish
us
of
the
beautiful
brick
stone
of
a
property,
and
you
know
one
single
and
to
bill
for
and
I'm
thinking
that
had
this
tool
been
available
before
that
home
owner,
you
know,
lost
the
property
or
couldn't
afford
to
maintain
it.
This
could
have
been
a
tool
that
helped
to
us
stabilize
that
property.
F
You
know
marry
those
two
and
sort
of
you
know
make
it
a
package
when
we're
talking
to
people
about
these
are
tools
that
are
available,
that
we
provide
in
the
city
to
help
you
I
think
that
would
be
a
great
thing
to
do
so.
I
want
to
come
in
and
want
to
commend
you
both
for
the
work
that
you've
done.
You've
been
helpful
to
us
on
many
occasions,
and
we
greatly
appreciate
it.
E
You,
madam
chairwoman
and
I
guess
good
morning
still
yes
good
morning
and
then
thank
you
for
your
working
with
historic
properties.
Just
a
couple
couple
quick
questions:
I
noticed
that
the
federal
program
is
for
investment
properties
and
not
homeowner
properties.
It's
correct
and
I
think
Philadelphia's.
O
E
It
would
it
be
worth
our
while
to
sit
down
with
our
congressmen
and
senators
and
say:
listen
because
of
the
housing
stock
in
Pennsylvania
and
specifically
Philadelphia.
This
would
be
a
big
benefit
for
us
if
you
could
sponsor
a
bill
that
would
take
the
relief
off
the
city
having
to
do
it,
but
haven't
done
on
a
federal
program.
Yet.
O
Would
be
interesting
to
hear
what
their
reaction
to
that
would
be
and
I
would
add
that
the
same
conversation
could
be
had
at
the
state
level,
which
also
has
a
much
more
modest
historic
tax
credit
program,
but
it
also
is
restricted
to
historic
properties.
There
are
some
states
that
do
allow
it
for
homeowner,
owner-occupied
residential,
but
not
Pennsylvania,
so
that's
another
avenue
we
could
pursue.
Did
you
want
to
add
something
to
that?
Yeah.
E
P
Q
Q
Q
Q
It's
hard
enough
to
keep
up
these
houses
without
the
historic
designation,
so
in
order
to
replace
lost
features
of
the
homes
to
do
it
properly
in
the
accordance
with
the
Philadelphia
historic
Commission
is
very
expensive,
as
we
were
just
talking
about
before
and
oftentimes
those
repairs
are
not
made
properly
because
there's
simply
the
money
is
not
there
and
I
fully
support
this
resolution.
I
think
this
is
a
great
start
and
we
were
talking
about
the
historic
property.
Q
The
the
program
that
was
the
Preservation
Alliance
had
about
ten
years
ago
and
I
did
see
some
buildings
in
our
neighborhood
get
restored
the
facade
with
that
program
and
they
did
a
great
job.
I
thought
it
was
a
very
effectual
program
and
I.
Imagine
that
perhaps
we
could
have
that
again
in
maybe
in
a
different
form,
but
which
is
why
I
support
this
resolution,
because
I've
actually
seen
it
work
when
those
monies
are
put
out
and
homeowners
apply,
and
you
know
they
put
forth
the
money
that
normally
would
fix
up.
Q
If
you
were
to
put
this
like
regular
old,
roofing
or
vinyl
siding.
Instead,
it
is
done
with
historic,
roofing
and
historic
windows,
and
things
like
that
I've
actually
seen
it
work.
So
I
have
a
lot
of
hope
that
we
can
move
forward
and
start
having
this.
You
know
this
come
to
our
neighborhood
and
I.
Just
want
to
add
one
I
could
just
give
you
one
quick
story:
I
have
a
neighbor
who
their
front
door
a
beautiful
oak
front
door
was
removed
many
years
ago,
and
they
had
the
door
in
their
basement
and
they
kept
it.
Q
A
R
My
name
is
Barbara
wolf,
I'm
a
45
year
resident
of
spring
garden,
I've
owned
my
home
for
on
North
fifteenth
Street
for
the
last
39
years
in
September
of
2000
in
a
house
that
was
built
in
1868
in
the
post-civil
war
industrial
boom
of
Philadelphia.
When
I
first
moved
in
my
stepfather
said
it
was
a
house
needing
lots
of
work,
but
with
strong
bones.
R
Spring
garden
has
been
a
historic
district,
I
believe
since
2001
and
like
many
neighborhoods
in
the
city,
we
represent
what
I
consider
a
authentically
historic
neighborhood,
not
a
Disneyworld,
not
a
Williamsburg
and
I
see
the
historic
designation
as
having
been
very
helpful
in
our
neighborhood.
It
helped
attract
a
lot
of
new
residents.
It's
helped
attract
developers
to
fill
in
all
the
empty
lots
that
are
available
and
it's
really
made
it
a
kind
of
a
liveable,
likable,
attractive
community,
I.
Think
for
a
city
as
a
whole.
R
The
preservation
of
these
two
stark
neighborhoods
and
a
bill
like
this
that
can
support
that
is
significant
because
I
see
increasingly,
the
city
is
relying
on
tourism
as
an
important
economic
base
and
I
only
in
Spring
Garden.
Judging
by
the
increasingly
frequent,
sometimes
irritatingly
so
big
bus
tours
that
come
through
the
neighborhood
to
see
the
prison
and
to
see
their
houses,
I
see
that
the
assist
our
communities
really
are
attracting
increasingly
tourism.
I
think,
however,
the
cost
is
secure
and
preserve.
R
An
old
building
like
mine
to
meet
the
historic
designation
is
not
cheap,
I
know
even
from
my
husband
and
I.
We
postponed,
probably
for
several
decades
six
to
eight
thousand
dollar
work
on
pointing
on
the
house,
leased
it
to
get
do
other
projects
and
get
three
kids
through
college
I
do
see
for
some
of
my
lower-income
neighborhoods,
particularly
on
the
eastern
end.
R
Think
the
tourism
is
such
a
becoming
an
economic
pillar
of
our
neighborhood
I
think
this
is
part
of
what
is
the
attraction
to
keep
people
here.
I
think
this
is
a
first
step,
this
bill
exploring
ways
and
we
can
support
through
grants
or
other
ways
and
a
step
that's
been
successful
before
with
the
Preservation
Alliance
and
previous
program
that
I
think
it's
really
worth
looking
at
and
going
forward
with
as
I
age
in
my
house
ages.
I
wanted
to
maintain
strong
bones.
R
We
don't
want
to
see
our
houses
or
myself
to
tear
you
eight
with
osteoporosis,
I
kind
of
hope.
This
bill
will
keep
our
houses
strong
and
help
the
whole
group
of
neighbors,
who
may
have
less
resources
and
I
do
to
keep
their
house
as
strong.
So
I
strongly
support
this
bill
and
I
appreciate
your
putting
it
forward
as
a
as
an
option.
A
Thank
you
very
much
any
comments
or
questions.
Thank
you.
We
thank
you
very
much.
Is
there
anyone
else
here
who
would
like
to
testify
with
regard
to
this
historic
preservation
fund
resolution?
We're
not
number
one:
nine
zero,
six,
six,
three,
all
right,
seeing
none!
We
will
ask
the
clerk
to
read
the
title
of
resolution,
one
eight:
zero,
six,
zero,
nine
food
diversion
tax
credit,
one.
A
J
The
impetus
for
this
bill
was
is
the
following:
Philadelphia
is
home
to
more
than
500
full-service
restaurants
and
sitter
City
alone,
not
including
coffee
and
pastry
shops
or
fast-food
chains
before
the
streets,
Department
reports,
nearly
six
hundred
and
forty-eight
thousand
tons
of
food
waste
per
year
at
a
significant
expense,
with
78%
of
the
waste
coming
from
commercial
or
locations.
So
but
I
want
to
thank
the
bellevue
strategies,
full
abundance
and
a
center
for
echo
technology,
all
of
which
are
deeply
concerned
about
growing
a
mill,
healthier,
Philadelphia
and
being
smarter
about
how
we
dispose
of
food.
J
And
now,
more
than
ever,
we
believe
this
partnership
of
stakeholders
believed
that
we
need
to
craft
stronger
strategies,
which
also
will
contribute
to
a
healthy
Philadelphia
with
more
sustainable
food
practices.
Lastly,
in
our
city,
there
are
substantial
threats
to
this
new
reality
known
as
food
insecurity.
In
fact,
Philadelphia
is
currently
10
on
the
list
of
America's
top
10
hungriest
cities
we're
a
10th
on
a
list,
a
quarter
of
our
population.
J
I've
mentioned
care
very,
very
much
about
this
issue,
and
the
hope
is
that
after
we
capture
testimony,
we
can
then
use
that
to
frame
a
potential
piece
of
legislation
that
will
move
us
to
Wars
crafting
a
measure
by
which
we
can
deep
put
in
place
a
food
diversion
tax
credit,
given
the
enormous
amount
of
food
waste
that
we
have
in
our
city.
Thank
you,
madam
chairwoman.
Thank.
A
S
Good
afternoon,
chairperson
blackwell
and
members
of
the
Committee
on
Finance.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
your
patience.
Thank
you.
My
name
is
Libby
Peters
and
I'm.
The
director
of
policy
and
strategic
initiatives
for
the
Commerce
Department
I'm
happy
to
be
here
today
to
provide
testimony
on
resolution,
one
eight
zero,
six,
zero,
nine,
which
authorizes
a
public
hearing
to
explore
the
potential
of
creating
a
food
diversion
tax
credit
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
S
We
applaud
the
agencies,
organizations
and
businesses
that
are
working
together
to
address
the
issue
of
hunger
in
our
city
with
our
24
and
a
half
percent
poverty
rate
and
median
household
income
of
forty
six
thousand
dollars.
The
the
need
in
our
city
is
great
and
we
must
continue
to
find
ways
to
engage
businesses
as
partners
to
help
us
make
a
greater
impact
in
our
communities
in
2016,
Pew
published
a
report
that
highlighted
the
fact
that
of
the
30
largest
cities
in
the
u.s.
Philadelphia
has
the
highest
number
of
tax
incentives
at
21.
S
Over
the
past
year,
the
city
engaged
a
third
party
consultant
to
evaluate
seven
of
our
most
commonly
used
economic
development
incentives.
While
all
of
these
programs
are
found
to
have
a
positive
return
on
investment
to
the
city,
an
important
overall
finding
of
the
report
was
that
our
incentives
regime
is
too
complex.
We
have
many
competing
programs
and,
due
to
the
exemption
of
the
first
$100,000
in
taxable
Philadelphia
gross
receipts
on
the
business
income
and
receipts
tax,
approximately
70%
of
businesses
in
Philadelphia
do
not
have
a
tax
liability
high
enough
to
utilize
a
tax
credit.
S
Grants
have
the
benefit
of
being
available
to
small
businesses
as
well
as
nonprofits,
and
because
we
would
not
be
under
such
strict
confidentiality
laws.
As
related
to
tax
credits,
the
city
could
publish
reports
on
which
businesses
are
receiving
grants
and
better
track
outcomes
related
to
the
program,
because
food
waste
is
also
a
sustainability
issue.
The
quality
jobs
grant
program
could
certainly
reward
businesses
that
have
food
diversion
programs
in
place.
S
We
believe
an
easy-to-understand,
an
access
grant
program
designed
to
reward
businesses
who
demonstrate
corporate
responsibility
is
better
for
businesses
better
for
the
community
and
better
for
our
city
than
another
stand
alone.
Tax
credit.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
before
you
today
and
I'm
happy
to
answer
any
questions
that
you
may
have
at
this
time.
A
J
You
know
if
any
other
cities,
first
of
all,
thank
you
for
your
testimony
or
which
is
important
as
we
build
a
base
and
a
foundation
of
evidence
to
substantiate
or
justify
and
he's
the
Quinn
action.
So
do
you
know
at
this
time
if
any
other
municipalities
across
the
country
might
have
already
adopted
this
measure,
or
this
type
of
initiative
I'm.
J
That
the
only
city
in
the
world
I
know
that
has
done
this
is
Paris
France
and
so
I'm
always
of
the
belief
that
once
you
get
a
group
of
smart
people
around
the
table,
there's
a
way
to
figure
out
how
we
can
make
things
better,
and
so
the
hope
is
that
that
will
happen,
or
once
we
get
past
the
resolution
stage
and
and
build
a
case
and
make
a
case
if
you
will
for
us
to
look
very
strategically
and
seriously
in
this
direction.
Absolutely.
Thank
you
very
much.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
A
E
S
Incentive
study,
it
was
a
very
robust
study,
very
thorough.
The
main
top
line.
Finding
was
that
we
have.
We
have
a
lot
of
different
tax
incentives.
There
are
21
different
tax
incentives
in
place
in
Philadelphia,
that's
the
most
of
any
major
city
and
that
that
can
create
under
utilization
of
some
of
the
tax
credits
and
sometimes
create
confusion
in
the
marketplace.
S
E
S
Think
that
that
was
definitely
one
of
the
findings
of
the
report
was
that
we
have
them.
We
have
many
different
taxes,
many
that
are
placed
on
businesses
due
to
restraints
that
we
face
with
the
state's
uniformity
clause.
So
many
of
the
tax
credits,
as
you
say,
are
applied
against
the
Bert
and
also
remember
that
we
we
have
an
exemption
on
the
first
100,000
and
gross
receipts
now
so
about
two-thirds
of
businesses
no
longer
pay
the
bird
and.
S
A
B
Good
afternoon
members,
the
City
Council-
thank
you
for
having
me
today
to
speak
about
a
food
diversion
tax
credit
for
Philadelphia
I
want
to
especially
thank
Councilwoman
Reynolds
Brown
for
the
invitation
to
be
here
today
and
for
her
tireless
work
to
address
hunger
in
Philadelphia.
My
name
is
Shannon
Pritchard
and
I'm.
B
Recently,
a
program
manager
and
the
sustainability
department
at
fill
abundance
I
first
have
to
admit
that
I'm,
a
Pennsylvania
transplant
I
spent
the
first
18
years
of
my
life
in
Iowa
growing
up
near
cornfields,
with
a
large
garden
in
my
backyard
I
understood
from
an
early
age
that
food
is
powerful.
Food
is
nourishment
a
catalyst
that
can
bring
different
communities
together
and
I,
see
this
power
here
in
Philly,
through
the
vibrant
food
culture
of
diverse
and
talented
chefs
and
innovators,
but
I
also
see
a
different
side
of
foods.
Power
and
my
work
at
fill.
B
B
Fill
abundance
was
found
in
nearly
35
years
ago
on
this
ideal,
when
Pamela
rainy,
Lawler
delivered
surplus
food
from
restaurants
to
nearby
agencies,
setting
the
foundation
for
fill
abundance
to
become
the
largest
food
rescue
organization
in
the
region.
Last
year
alone,
we
distributed
over
26
million
pounds
of
food,
seventy-five
percent
of
which
would
have
otherwise
gone
to
waste
from
the
port
of
Philadelphia
to
the
wholesale
produce
market
from
grocery
store
banners
to
mom-and-pop
restaurants.
We
engaged
owners
across
the
food
system.
B
Iont
received
the
emerging
retail
program,
which
involves
a
number
of
current
and
future
donors
that
we
believe,
would
benefit
from
a
city
level,
tax
credit.
My
work
focuses
on
rescuing
what
we
call
the
small
mini
and
random.
These
are
donations
from
consumer-facing
foods,
news
food
businesses
that
often
require
a
complex
logistics
plan,
significant
oversight
for
smaller
donations.
This
can
often
discourage
potential
donors,
but
we
know
from
experience
that
the
pounds
add
up
and
the
community
and
environmental
impact
is
there.
B
Since
2018
we've
captured
nearly
1
million
pounds
and
have
just
begun
to
scratch
the
surface
in
Philadelphia.
Some
examples
of
our
current
partners
include
the
Reading
Terminal
Market,
the
Philadelphia
Airport
Starbucks
and
prenta
Monge,
using
our
transportation
fleet
and
collaborating
with
local
groups
such
as
food
connect
and
sharing
access.
We
are
ready
for
more,
but
to
do
more,
we
need
your
support.
I've
had
the
privilege
of
working
closely
with
a
diverse
pool
of
donors,
community-based
agencies
and
rescue
partners,
and
there
are
two
themes:
I
see
consistently
money,
talks
and
policy
matters
to
increase
business
participation.
B
The
food
donation
process
needs
to
be
financially
feasible.
Yes,
many
businesses
care
about
their
impact,
but
donating
comes
with
additional
costs,
such
as
packaging,
product
and
storage
space.
If
donating
food
is
more
costly
than
tossing
it,
it's
difficult
for
us
to
make
a
powerful
business
pitch.
This
is
particular
true,
particularly
true
for
smaller
businesses,
who
have
small
profit
margins,
as
they
often
don't
benefit
from
the
current
federal,
enhanced
donation,
tax
credit
and
wouldn't
see
a
change
in
hauling
costs.
A
city
level,
food
diversion
tax
credit
would
offset.
B
These
donation
costs
further
incentivizing
businesses
to
join
this
initiative
to
help
our
neighbors
and
our
environment
while
protecting
their
business
interests.
We
believe
a
city
level,
food
diversion,
Tax
Credit
will
both
validate
and
elevate
food
rescue
as
an
important
and
sustainable
diversion
strategy
and
further
enable
us
in
rescue
groups
to
continue
diverting
more
good
food
to
people.
Not
landfills.
We've
been
doing
this
for
35
years,
and
we
know
your
voice
on
this
issue
will
make
a
difference.
I
want
to
thank
you
for
considering
my
testimony
today.
B
Philadelphia
is
a
vibrant
city,
full
of
loyalty
and
love,
but
yeah
we
have
one
of
the
highest
percentages
of
people
facing
hunger
in
the
country.
I
hope
you'll,
consider
a
food
diversion
tax
credit
for
Philadelphia
to
help
us
take
a
big
step
forward
in
the
fight
against
food
waste
and
hunger.
Thanks.
B
Hello,
my
name
is
Abby
Stern
and
I
am
the
operations
manager
at
the
Rittenhouse
hotel,
as
well
as
the
founder
of
fooding
forward
I'm.
Here
today,
on
the
business
end
of
an
organization,
who's
tried
to
rescue
food
tried
to
participate
in
the
food
waste
problem
in
the
city,
on
the
industry
side
being
on
the
corporation
side
of
the
business.
Who
has
that
ways
to
give
I
see
how
difficult
it
is
to
get
the
managers?
If
you
will
on
board
just
on
a
labor
standpoint,
it's
costing
them
materials
in
terms
of
packaging,
any
excess
food.
B
It's
also
costing
them
labor
to
then
train
their
employees
to
follow
this
new
system
and
then
using
an
outside
vendor
like
a
sharing
access
to
potentially
pick
up
that
waste
and
the
coordinating
efforts
behind
that
I'm.
Very
passionate
about
the
issues.
I've
been
more
than
happy
to
take
that
stand
for
the
hotel
and
for
herschel
hospitality
as
a
whole
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
but
I'm.
Seeing
how
other
organizations
aren't
that
lucky,
it
may
not
have
those
resources
with
a
kind
of
food
diversion
incentive
tax
incentive
like
this.
B
It
could
get
more
people
in
this
space,
paying
attention
and
wanting
to
participate.
It
is
costly
to
the
business
to
have
food
rescue
efforts
in
place.
You
need
someone
core
datings
that
efforts.
You
need
materials
to
box
up
the
goods
and
you
need
something
to
pick
it
up
as
well
as
doing
with
all
the
logistical
nightmare
kind
of
in
between
this
tax
diversion
credit
is
a
small
step
towards
bridging
that
gap
to
rescuing
all
the
food
waste
in
the
city,
especially
on
the
hospitality
end
of
things.
T
Hello
guys
thanks
for
presenting
this
bill,
this
is
great
I'm
Harrison,
Graham,
Heyman
I'm,
the
chief
inspiration
officer
of
Gemini
hospitality,
consultants
and
management
company.
We
assist
restaurants
in
their
operations,
but
prior
to
that,
I
worked
30
years
for
the
Bynum
hospitality
group
or
the
Bynum
brothers.
So
have
the
pleasure
and
honor
of
bringing
some
of
the
finest
restaurants
to
Philadelphia,
including
zanzibar
blue,
south
warm
daddy's,
and
the
list
goes
on
and
on.
A
T
Great
they're
great
places,
their
greatest
places
in
the
world
actually
I've
had
the
pleasure
of
honoring
those
who
have
done
professionally
on
the
personal
level
I
started
about
six
months
ago,
or
so.
The
feed
filly
coalition,
which
the
intention
is
to
bandy
restaurants
together
to
give
their
excess
food
and,
as
we
know,
especially
with
the
restaurants,
the
Bynum
brothers,
they
never
wanted
to
overcharge
anybody.
You
know
they
wanted
to
keep
the
prices
as
reasonable
as
possible,
so
the
margins
are
extremely
slow
low,
but
so
we're
incredibly
efficient
with
our
food.
T
So
what
are
some
actions
that
we
as
responsible
citizens
and
in
this
case
restaurant
tours,
can
take
in
order
to
help
hunger
and
eliminate
food
insecurity?
One
solution
is
to
work
on
a
limiting
food
waste
from
restaurants,
convenience
stores,
catering
halls
and
every
other
establishment
that
prepares
food
and
cooks
food
on
a
daily
basis.
So
there's
food
left
over
the
unfortunate
reality.
As
the
statistics
reported
earlier
by
the
streets
department,
it
ends
up
in
the
trash
according
to
EPA
data,
Philadelphia
has
more
than
1500
limited
and
full-service.
Restaurants
and
caterers
I
believe
that
numbers
low.
T
But
this
is
that's.
The
number
I
have
in
front
of
me
a
number
thing
that
seemingly
continues
to
grow
everyday.
Strikingly.
It
is
estimated
that
these
business
waste
more
than
22,000
tons
of
food
and
while
some
restaurants
do
participate
in
food
recovery
programs
most
don't.
The
story
is
similar
for
more
than
the
300
restaurant,
Philadelphia,
grocers
and
supermarkets.
T
According
to
research,
these
business
waste
more
than
21
thousand
tons
of
food
per
year,
while
the
edible
portion
of
the
food
is
much
larger
percentage
and
restaurants
there's
still
a
significant
portion
of
the
food
being
wasted
and
thrown
away
while
Philadelphians
starve
everyday
I
would
also
add
that
our
mindset
about
what
is
good
food
needs
to
change
as
well.
So
I
use
the
example
of
a
green
pepper.
T
Everybody
who
gets
a
green
pepper
cuts,
the
top
and
the
bottom
off
and
hollows
out
the
middle,
because
we
want
the
pretty
middle,
but
there's
nothing
wrong
with
all
the
rest
of
that
part
of
that
green
pepper
at
feed.
Philly
coalition
we're
working
to
accomplish
the
goal
of
eliminating
food
waste
in
Philadelphia.
T
In
previous
years,
the
city
has
found
success
with
donating
unused
food
after
large
events,
including
the
2015
world,
meeting
of
families
mm
16
DNC
and
the
2017
and
after
NFL
Draft
Brown's,
super
stores
and
giant
foods,
both
of
which
have
significant
presence
in
Philadelphia,
have
won
acclaim
for
their
food
reduction
efforts.
So
it
can
be
done.
T
It's
just
not
being
done
consistently
it's
being
done
when
all
the
eyes
of
the
world
are
watching,
but
not
when
you
know
we
can
every
day
and
every
week,
while
some
restaurants
have
begun
to
follow
this
practice
and
prepare
meals
out
of
the
excess
products.
Our
city
has
a
long
long
way
to
go
in
order
to
fully
tackle
this
problem.
It
requires
a
change
in
the
mindset
from
restaurants,
catering
halls,
supermarkets,
corner
stores
and
others.
T
Many
of
these
businesses
have
been
hesitate,
as
ABI
said,
to
undergo
the
process
of
joining
unused
food
because
of
the
financial
costs
associated
them,
but
we
have
reached
a
point
where
we
can
no
longer
ignore
the
problems
of
hunger
in
the
city
any
longer
I'm
a
restaurateur
I
get
it
we're
all
burdened
by
day-to-day
operations.
The
restaurant
just
trying
to
make
it
go,
but
I'm
a
human
being
first
and
I
can
no
longer
sit
idly
by
while
too
much
food
is
being
wasted
so
unnecessarily
and
blocks
away.
People
are
food,
insecure
or
just
starving.
T
T
Food
insecurity
affects
men,
women
and
children
of
all
backgrounds,
childhood
hunger
in
Philadelphia,
as
we
alluded
to
has
more
than
tripled
just
hard
to
believe
from
2006
to
2016,
with
cognitive
development
and
other
behavior
issues
as
a
result,
while
some
states
and
municipalities
have
begun
to
provide
incentives
for
businesses
to
recycle
their
unused
food,
the
majority
of
the
country
is
not
and
the
business
have
grown
been
slow
to
get
on
board.
However,
this
issue
is
too
critical
to
be
brushed
aside
anymore.
T
That's
why
I
support
Philadelphia,
taking
the
necessary
steps
to
create
incentives
to
make
a
dent
in
this
major
issue.
It's
a
long
time
pass
to
to
get
this
done
and
I
appreciate
this
forum
to
bring
it
up.
Unfortunately,
I
think
in
this
situation
we're
going
to
need
policy
to
change,
behavior
and
I.
Think
if
we
incentive
by
folks
say
it
with
cash,
it's
not
going
to
cost
you
money,
it's
good!
T
You
know
you
it's
at
a
minimum
you'll
break,
even
you
may
actually
net-net
be
left
with
something
because,
like
anything
else
in
the
restaurant
business,
we'll
learn
to
be
efficient,
we'll
learn
to
figure
out
ways
to
do
it
to
to
make
it
incorporate
in
what
we
do.
The
analogy
I
use
is
recycling.
There
was
a
time
in
our
lives
when
recycling
wasn't
commonplace,
we
just
threw
it
out,
but
operationally
you
learn
to
adjust
and
you
learn
to
do
the
right
thing,
not
everybody's
recycling,
but
it's
made
the
world.
T
It's
it's
helped,
not
everybody
will
do
the
food
donation
thing,
but
it
will
certainly
help
so
again,
thanks
guys,
I
appreciate
you
guys,
bring
appreciate
you
bringing
it
up
and
I
appreciate
all
the
support
it
already
has,
and
thanks
to
Bellevue
strategists
and
my
colleagues
for
all
the
hard
work
they
do
every
day.
Thank.
A
You
let
me
say
that,
certainly
when
we
talk
about
this
is
right,
as
they
say
down
my
alley,
mm-hmm
as
recently
as
Saturday,
when
we
were
at
a
wedding
and
we
had
nine
of
the
largest
pans
of
food
left.
Of
course,
in
this
instance,
we
took
it
to
1515,
but
we
have
always
been
involved
and
there's
so
important
that
we
have
this
commitment.
I
mean
we
feed
as
many
as
8,000
people
at
a
time
at
my
Christmas
parties,
four
to
eight
thousand,
and
there
are
ways
there
are.
A
Sometimes
people
come
chosen,
300
ministries
and
in
this
instance
we
had
a
gentleman
and
his
wife
take
it
to
them,
because
our
person
had
a
death
in
their
family,
and
so
they
brought
it
downtown
on
their
way
home
to
Baltimore.
But
everybody
knows
of
our
commitment
to
food
and
to
not
wasting
it
when
so
many
people
have
issues
in
this
regard-
and
certainly
this
is
very
important.
L
Thank
You
counsel,
thank
you
for
having
me
Councilwoman,
Reynolds
Brown.
Thank
you
so
much
for
bringing
attention
to
this.
So
really.
I
just
want
to
echo
what
what
my
colleagues
are
saying
and
what
everyone
here,
I'm
pretty
sure,
is
in
agreement
of
my
name's
Evan
Ehlers
I'm
co-chair
of
Philadelphia's
Food
Policy
advisory
council
focused
on
zero
waste
and
I'm.
Also
the
founder
of
sharing
excess
we're
a
movement
of
students,
fighting
food
insecurity
in
Philadelphia.
We
work
with
hundreds
of
students
to
pick
up
leftover,
food
from
grocery
stores
and
restaurants
and
Deliver.
L
That's
over
27
hunger
relief
organizations
throughout
the
city.
So
we
started
because
a
local
business
reached
out
to
us
and
asked:
can
you
pick
up
the
leftover
food
that
we
that
they
had
just
sitting
in
their
loading
dock?
It
was
an
opportunity
that
they
gave
to
us
and
we
saw
how
big
of
a
problem
this
was
firsthand.
We
started
doing
research
on
how
much
of
a
problem
this
is
nationally.
So
approximately
one-third
of
all
food
goes
to
waste
in
the
United
States.
It's
about
a
hundred
twenty
six
billion
pounds.
L
L
But
the
only
problem
is
that
it,
like
my
colleagues
are
saying,
is
that
it's
a
logistical
nightmare
for
businesses
to
have
their
food
get
their
food
to
people
who
need
it.
So
organizations
like
ours
who
are
delivering
to
hunger
relief
organizations
and
the
businesses
that
we
work
with
today,
the
over
forty
businesses
that
we
personally
work
with
you
know
I'll
be
the
first
to
say
that
they're
not
doing
this
because
of
the
money
they're,
not
donating
food
because
of
the
money
they're
donating
it
for
many
other
reasons,
primarily
because
it's
the
right
thing
to
do.
L
But
my
colleagues
are
here
so
that
we
can
now
push
this
to
get
the
majority
of
businesses
in
Philadelphia
to
be
on
board.
With
this
movement
and
I.
Think
really
Philadelphia
has
a
unique
opportunity
to
be
a
role
model
city
for
other
cities
around
the
United
States,
where
not
so
much
should
we
think
of
this
as
a
solution
only
for
Philadelphia,
but
also
a
solution
for
the
United
States.
If
we
can
figure
this
out
here,
we
can
be
a
role
model
everywhere
and
we
are
more
than
willing
and
ready
to
help.
L
You
guys
do
that,
and
with
this
diversion,
Tax
Credit,
we
can
help
this
become
the
new
norm
and
I.
Think
that
that's
what
we
can
do,
we
can
show
everyone
that
this
is
what
it's
a
real
city
is
like
and
how
they
can
care
for
their
communities
and
work
with
businesses,
and
so
really
what
this
comes
down
to
at
the
end
of
the
day,
for
the
businesses
that
not
that
aren't
already
on
board
is
it
is
that
their
profit,
thriving
business.
L
My
colleagues
and
I
are
doing
this
mostly
for
free
right,
but
they
they
need
to
make
money
throughout
the
day,
and
this
Tax
Credit
food
diversion
Tax
Credit,
is
just
enough.
It's
the
straw
to
break
the
camel's
back
to
make
this
work
for
the
majority
of
food
businesses
in
Philadelphia
and
I.
Think
it's
only
right
that
city
that
a
business
that's
doing
something
for
the
betterment
of
the
city.
The
city
can
then
come
back
to
return
and
do
something
for
the
betterment
of
that
business.
L
That
is
in
turn
helping
the
city
and
its
citizens,
because
Philadelphia
is
an
ecosystem
of
communities,
business
and
government,
and
when
businesses
are
financially
incentivized,
they're
more
likely
to
donate
and
when
businesses
donate
to
people
facing
poverty,
then
those
people
facing
poverty
have
one
less
thing
to
worry
about
and
when
they
have
one
less
thing
worry
to
worry
about,
including
food.
They
get
one
step
closer
to
becoming
a
contributing
citizen
of
Philadelphia
again
where
it
can
become
a
beautiful
system
and
I
think
that
this
is
really
what
we
want
to
create.
L
Is
this
beautiful
ecosystem
of
businesses,
government
and
people
coming
together
to
create
prosperity
for
all,
so
I
hope
this
council
will
help
us
continue
this
beautiful
movement
to
make
Philadelphia
the
best
city
in
the
world.
So
thank
you
again
so
much
for
for
providing
this
opportunity,
and
we
are
so
so
much
behind
this.
Thank
you.
Thank.
A
A
J
J
We
need
to
look
to
see
how
we
can
make
this
the
norm
and
not
the
exception
as
we
go
down
this
road
so
know
that
this
is
a
step
1-1
on
our
on
this
particular
issue,
with
hats
off
tipping
our
hats
again
to
Bellevue
strategies
will
reduce
this
to
writing
and
then
submit
recommendations
to
the
mayor.
So
thank
you
all
for
the
important
good
work
that
you
do
every
single
day.
Thank
you
very
much.
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you
very
much.
We
want
to
thank
members
of
the
committee.
We
will
hold
these
resolutions
and
Finance
Committee
subject
to
the
call
of
the
chair.
This
has
been
a
very
interesting,
very
important
committee
hearing
where
we
tried
to
serve
people
all
morning,
long
we're
grateful
and
we
shall
recess.
Thank
you
all
very
much.