On The Hill In City Hall: Philly Lawmakers Take Action

Council to Investigate Rash of Asian Business Robberies

Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Councilman at Large David Oh which authorizes Council’s Committees on Public Safety, Commerce & Economic Development, and Global Opportunities and Creative/Innovative Economy to hold a public hearing concerning recent home invasions and armed robberies that have victimized Asian business owners in the city.

Over a dozen armed robberies targeting Asian-owned businesses have occurred in the city since May 2016. Asian food-business owners have been particularly targeted by burglars. In several cases, armed robbers have targeted businesses as well as the residences of these business owners. In most reported incidences, offenders carrying handguns have invaded upstairs residences above food businesses between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Cash and other items of value are taken from businesses and their attached residences. The targeting of Asian business owners is especially traumatic for immigrant small business owners who speak limited English.

The City Council hearing about the home invasions and armed robberies will allow Asian business owners and community members to share their input and concerns. It will also serve as an opportunity to hear testimony from law enforcement agencies and community organizations so as to better respond to crimes and coordinate prevention efforts.

“This is a public-safety concern. This is an economic concern. This is an international concern, because these episodes can lead toward characterizations of Philadelphia in Asia as a city that is unfriendly to immigrants,” Councilman Oh said. “We need to resolve this issue quickly, especially on behalf of the victims, and develop a plan to prevent future crimes.”

Oh, the Chair of the Committee on Global Opportunities &* Creative/Innovative Economy, is working with Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., the Chair of the Committees on Public Safety and Commerce & Economic Development to quickly schedule a hearing.

STATE REP. John Taylor, 3rd from L, joined VFW Post No. 2 members at the Bridesburg Community Action Alliance commemoration of the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

Councilman Green Hearings on ‘Every Student Succeeds Act’

Councilman at Large Derek S. Green introduced an Education resolution authorizing the Committees on the Disabled and Persons with Special Needs to hold joint hearings regarding the Every Student Succeeds Act.

On Dec. 10, 2015, President Barack Obama signed the ESSA, a reauthorization of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965, which is the nations’ general education law.

ESSA replaces the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and corrects the overreliance on uniform federal regulations and educator performance metrics that failed to provide sufficient consideration for the unique situations faced by state and local education authorities, which many considered to be its biggest flaw.

“Having a child with a learning difference like autism, my family has experienced the challenges and limitations of No Child Left Behind. Although it is important to develop education standards, states and local school districts should have the flexibility to create their own education systems that adhere to these standards. In particular, states and school districts should be able to develop tests and other assessments for children with disabilities, disadvantaged students, and children with various differences.”

Under ESSA, state and local education authorities, in consultation with officials and stakeholders, must submit accountability plans, which will go into effect at the start of the 2017-18 school year, to the federal Dept. of Education.

Angel Cruz Seeks Tow-Truck Controls

In light of recent controversy over possibly illegally towed vehicles in Philadelphia, State Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Kensington) said there is no better time than now for the House to take up his HB 550, which would increase tow truck operator accountability.

HB 550 would require tow truck operators in Philadelphia to provide the owner of a vehicle with photographic evidence of the violation for which their vehicle was towed. A copy of the photograph would be given to the vehicle owner when they claim their vehicle.

“Unfortunately, it is not out of the realm of possibility that tow-truck operators could operate in an unscrupulous way and bait drivers into towing traps simply to increase profits,” said Cruz.

HB 550 was introduced in February 2015 and is currently awaiting action in the House Transportation Committee.

Murt Job Fair at Willow Grove

State Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Northeast) will host a Job Fair with the Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce.

The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Huntingdon Valley Country Club, 2295 Country Club Drive in Huntingdon Valley. Admission is free to all job seekers.

“Our job market is often challenging to navigate,” Murt said.  “But companies are seeking workers for all levels of employment. Whether you’re new to the job market or experienced, you will find plenty of help.”

There will be dozens of potential employers at the event, many from Montgomery County.

For more information, please call (215) 674-3755 or visit www.ewillowgrove.com. Registration is not necessary, but job seekers are reminded to bring several copies of a resume.

Council Members Seek Help for Local Businesses

City Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown, at Large, and Maria Quiñones-Sanchez, 7^th Dist., introduced legislation that amends the Local Bidding Preference by changing how the city certifies Local Business Entities. The goal of this legislation is to ensure businesses that become certified as LBEs, and therefore become eligible for a local bidding price preference, have a stronger connection to the city, either through location or employment, than the current code requires.

“Here is what we know. Philadelphia suffers from a 25% poverty rate and 6.9% unemployment rate,” said Reynolds Brown. “Less than 15% of the city’s certified LBEs have their principal place of business in Philadelphia. When the city provides price discounts on city procurement contracts, then that discount should be directed to those local businesses that employ majority Philadelphia residents.”

RUNNING a workshop at the John Street Center in W. Poplar, Councilman Blondell Reynolds Brown led a spirited seminar on the mechanics of buying a home for first-time shoppers. Photo by Wendell Douglas

Under the current code, a LBE is certified if during the preceding 18 months the Business Entity has continuously occupied an office within the City, where business is conducted and satisfies at least one of the following requirements: More than half of the Business Entity’s full-time employees work in the City at least 60% of the time; (2) more than 50 of the Business Entity’s full-time employees work in the City at least s60% of the time; or (3) the Business Entity’s principal place of business is located in the City.

Under the proposed legislation, in order for a local business to qualify as a LBE (1) the Business Entity’s principal place of business must be located in the City; or (2) the Business Entity satisfies at least two of the three following requirements: (.i) More than 60% of the Business Entity’s full-time employees are reported as Philadelphia Residents on the City of Philadelphia Annual Reconciliation of Employer Wage Tax (.ii) More than 100 of the Business Entity’s full-time employees work in the City according to the City of Philadelphia Annual Reconciliation of Employer Wage Tax; or (.iii) More than three-quarters of the Business Entity’s sales are reported as sales in Philadelphia.

“It is difficult to argue with an effort that is intended to have more of the city of Philadelphia’s contracts … to businesses that are actually located in the city itself,” said A. Bruce Crawley, founder of the African American Chamber of Commerce.

“The AACC Board and membership fully supports the Local Bidding Preference Legislation introduced by Councilmembers Reynolds-Brown and Quiñones-Sanchez,” said Steven Scott Bradley, Chairman of the AACC. “Our hope is that this initiative will result in growth and prosperity of Philadelphia based companies.”

Farnese: State Investment Sparks Business Development

A $2.5-million state investment has been approved for Yards Brewing, LLC, a Philadelphia-based craft brewery, State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.) has  announced.

“Investing in local businesses has an immediate and dramatic effect on our community,” Farnese said. “It’s all about opportunity.

“Through just this one loan, we’re helping a business expand, further developing our community and growing the current workforce.”

PIDC Financing Corp. was awarded the $2.5 million, 10-year loan on behalf of the brewer. Funds for the loan were awarded through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority.

The company plans to use the funds to purchase machinery and equipment allowing an increase in capacity from 60,000 barrels to more than 200,000 barrels per year. The cost of the total project is estimated at nearly $14 million. The new investment is expected to create 70 new positions while maintaining 54 existing jobs.

As Democratic chair of the Senate Community Economic & Recreational Development Committee, Farnese noted the importance of state investment in local business.

Thomas, Bullock Boost Local Entrepreneurs Symposium

In an effort to help local entrepreneurs grow their small businesses, State Reps. W. Curtis Thomas and Donna Bullock (both D-N. Phila.) cohosted a Small-Business Symposium at the Women’s Christian Alliance.

Attendees heard from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Community & Economic Development and other local entrepreneurs who have used government programs and services to help grow their businesses.

“Starting and growing a business from scratch can be difficult work, which is why I am pleased to be able to host this event with Rep. Bullock,” Thomas said. “There are many resources available to small-business owners through the state that are underutilized by the very men and women who need them the most.”

In addition, state and local agencies, nonprofits and other organizations were on hand to provide attendees information about government contracting and consulting, startup training, financing, and real estate assistance.

“Connecting DCED with local entrepreneurs knocks down communication and compliance barriers and opens new doors to partnerships and better relationships,” said Bullock. “In turn, the local business owner can better focus on his or her trade, and that’s a win for the whole community.”

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