City Councilman At-Large W. Wilson Goode, Jr. will introduce an Economic Opportunity Legislative Package, consisting of three new bills, at City Council’s first stated meeting after being sworn-in on January 7.

The first bill is a New Minimum Wage and Benefits Bill that would require City-supported employers to pay at least 150% of the federal minimum wage to its employees as of July 2009, while also being required to offer full-time employees the same health benefits that are provided to other full-time employees. Under Goode’s 2005 landmark living wage legislation, City-supported employers must now pay at least 150% of the state minimum wage but there is no standard set for minimum benefits. In July of 2009, the federal minimum wage is set to exceed the state minimum wage - and the new legislation would require covered employees in Philadelphia to be paid at least $10.88 per hour, with comparable health benefits for full-time employees.

The second bill is a Business Privilege Tax Reform Bill that eliminates the gross receipts portion of the City’s business privilege tax by the year 2015. Goode believes that taxing businesses on both gross receipts and net income is an impediment to economic growth and job creation, as well as an excessive burden for small disadvantaged businesses.

The third bill is a Business Diversity Ranking Bill requiring an annual ranking of City departments and agencies by percentage levels of disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) utilization in City contracting for goods and services. The information must be provided as part of the City Finance Director’s annual report required by Section 6-109 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, in addition to the annual disparity study and participation goals. The bill is being introduced along with a new resolution authorizing City Council’s Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to review the annual participation goals established for City contracting of goods and services. A recent Council hearing on City contracting goals resulted in the increase of the overall DBE contracting goal from 32% to 37% for this fiscal year, due to a 50% increase in the goal set for African-American businesses.