Council committee advances two potential referendum questions for Philly voters

Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas introduced legislation last year that would have entirely repealed the mandate that city employees and elected officials quit their jobs to pursue a different elected position. —PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL PHOTO/CHRIS MANSFIELD Philadelphia City Council’s Committee on Law and Government voted out two sets of legislation that could lead to ballot questions in next May’s primary. One could help Black workers with their retirement savings goals. The committee gave a favorable recommendation to a plan that would create a city-run retirement savings program for private-sector workers. The other would change the “resign-to-run” rule to allow most city elected officials to pursue state and federal office without leaving their current jobs. Over 200,000 private-sector employees do not have access to employer-facilitated retirements savings programs. Philadelphia would offer an option that doesn’t cost anything to employers and allow workers to directly pay into an auto-IRA program. These funds would stay centralized if folks change jobs, be overseen by a board appointed by a city-appointed board, and help augment Social Security benefits for those not enrolled in pension or other retirement savings programs. “Additional uncovered workers could be independent contractors and other nontraditional workers who have very low rates of access to a retirement plan, but such nontraditional workers are very difficult to reach,” said John Scott, Project Director, Retirement Savings for Pew Charitable Trusts on Wednesday. “We estimate the cost of a citywide automated savings program to be roughly $1,015,000 in the first year and $647,000 for the second and subsequent years.” Scott testified an August Pew report found that older Black households have a median income of just $30,931, about 25% less than the city’s overall median income for older households. These residents rely more on retirement funds and Social Security. PhillySaves, the name of the proposed program, would also mean more peace of mind for employers whose businesses or margins are too small to offer retirement programs for employees. Tiffany Chavous runs the Somerest Academy Early Learning Center. She testified that low reimbursement rates and limited range to charge tuition prevent her from offering retirement plans to her employees. “This is more than just a policy — it’s a step toward equity,” she said. “It’s a way to honor the people who care for our children, clean our buildings, serve our meals, and keep our city running. It’s a way to reduce poverty among older residents and build a more stable, resilient Philadelphia.” An amended version of the bill package will go before City Council. Two bills to alter “resign-to-run” were also amended during Wednesday afternoon’s voting session. Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas introduced legislation last year that would have entirely repealed the mandate that city employees and elected officials quit their jobs to pursue a different elected position. Over a third of City Council members sworn in 2020 had to leave their seats to participate in the 2023 mayoral primary, as did City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart. However, those holding state offices like State Rep. Amen Brown do not have to leave their positions to run. Thomas’ offering was amended to allow city officials and employees to keep their jobs when pursuing state or federal elected positions. This would differ from the past two attempts to change the Home Charter rule that voters rejected. The lone testifier was Jordana Greenwald, general counsel for the Philadelphia Board of Ethics. She said the board had not reviewed the changes and would not be able to support them. Thomas said that he had not reached out to the Board nor had they reached out to him. Greenwald said the Board would not hold a public meeting until Dec. 17, which could be after Council’s chamber vote on the proposed ballot question. “The drafters of the [Home] Charter saw the political activity restriction counter summit as a core value of the new form of city government that charter established,” Greenwald said. “We believe that it is very critical to take great care in making any changes to the provision. That said, we also recognize the value of assessing how well the restrictions on political activity are meeting the needs of the city, obviously government and city residents.” The proposed change would not change restrictions on the mayor. After the vote, Thomas said he is not planning to currently run for another office, citing his two young children as reasons he would prefer to stay in Philadelphia. He did say he thinks the different language will drive more yes votes than previous ballot questions. “I think it will persuade them,” he said of the amended language. “I think the average voter doesn’t understand that their state and federal people can run for anything they want and their city representation can’t and I think by giving people tangible examples of things they can relate to. I know for my colleagues at City Council, we got a number of colleagues who was able to benefit from the fact that as a state legislator they were able to run for a city seat so they understand firsthand that flexibility and what that can do.” Voters will see the ballot questions in May’s primary providing the measures pass through Council by mid-March. Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don’t Threaten. 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