Today, when Michael Nutter signed Wilson Goode, Jr.’s Business Tax Reform Bill - it was the third bill to become law from Goode’s Economic Opportunity Legislative Package, consisting of three bills introduced on January 24.

In fact, the Business Privilege Tax Reform Ordinance, unanimously passed by Philadelphia City Council, was Goode’s 46th piece of legislation to be signed into law during his tenure. Ironically, Goode has offered only one piece of legislation that failed in City Council, and it failed by only one vote – in an earlier attempt, four years ago, to eliminate the business gross receipts tax by 2009. The new ordinance will eliminate the gross receipts portion of the City’s business privilege tax by the year 2017. Goode believes that taxing businesses on both gross receipts and net income is an impediment to job growth, as well as an excessive burden for small disadvantaged businesses.

The New Minimum Wage and Benefits Ordinance, also unanimously passed by Philadelphia City Council this session, will require covered employees in Philadelphia to be paid at least $10.88 per hour with comparable health benefits for full-time employees when the legislation takes effect.

The Business Diversity Ranking Ordinance, unanimously passed by Philadelphia City Council this session, will require an annual ranking of City departments and agencies by percentage levels of disadvantaged business enterprise utilization in City contracting for goods and services.

Councilman Goode also introduced PHILLY FIRST Civil Service Legislation at City Council’s March 27 stated meeting.

The proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to civil service regulations provides that, when eligible lists for appointments and promotions are established, those persons who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the examination shall prevail over all others who receive the identical test score.

City Council also unanimously approved that charter change amendment to be placed on the November 4 general election ballot, at the time of the presidential election.