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Don’t tune off in the off year – Ethics Reform and more are here!
Ethics Reform
On November 8th Vote YES on the Ethics Ballot Question
If you are a Philadelphia resident, you are in the position to amend the Home Rule Charter and protect your tax dollars by demanding that your local government improves the disclosure process on no-bid and professional services contract awards. This amendment breaks down the City?s pay-to-play culture by keeping wealthy and politically connected individuals and companies from having an unfair advantage when seeking City contracts.
A YES vote means:
- Individuals seeking no-bid or professional services contracts worth more than $10,000 will be limited to political contributions of $2,500 a year. An individual’s total giving amount includes contributions made by immediate family members.
- Companies seeking no-bid or professional services contracts worth more than $25,000 will be limited to political contributions of $10,000. A company’s total giving amount includes contributions made by officers, stockholders, employees, or partners.
- City agencies must publish their intentions to award no-bid or professional services contracts on the city’s website at least 14 days before awarding the contract. Along with the names of all job applicants, the name of the contract awardee, whether or not the awardee was the lowest bidder, and reasons why the awardee was chosen if they were not the lowest bidder must also be disclosed on the city’s website.
- All no-bid or professional services contract applicants must disclose on the city’s website all contributions (dating back two years) to elected officials, candidates, and/or Political Action Committees (PACs), the names and fees of consultants hired to obtain the contact, and the names of the subcontractors needed to fulfill their contract.
Wording of the Ballot Question
Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to require Council approval of certain City leases, contracts and concessions, to empower Council to address public confidence in the integrity of the City's contracting process by requiring certain disclosures and by providing whether persons who have made certain campaign contributions are ineligible for such contracts and for City financial assistance, and to empower Council to regulate the process by which non-competitively bid (no-bid) contracts are awarded?
Defining Terms
- Professional Services Contracts are limited term agreements made with independent contractors or consultants for the rendering of the services they by occupation provide.
- No-bid contracts are made directly to individuals or companies without their having to make an offer on, or rather, bid on the job. These types of contracts are often met with suspicion as they can be awarded to individuals or companies with strong political ties.
- Political Contributions in this case refers to money given to a current political official, a political candidate, and/or a Political Action Committee (PAC).
Additional Background Information
Committee of Seventy
Philadelphia Forward
Voter Information
Need a little more help preparing for this election?
Philadelphia
To review a listing of 2005 November Election Information that includes the offices on the ballot, job descriptions, and the winners of the May 17, 2005 primary, please visit the Committee of 70.
Today’s Philadelphia Daily News (11.07.2005) includes an Election Notice and [changes to] Polling Places, on pages 34 – 39.
Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer (11.07.2005) also includes an Election Notice and [changes to] Polling Places, on pages A15 – A17.
To find your ward and division numbers, please visit Hallwatch.org.
Greater Philadelphia Region Including New Jersey
PA POLLS OPEN AT 7:00 AM and CLOSE AT 8:00 PM
Election Day Information including Tips for First Time Voters, visit PA Department of State.
NJ POLLS OPEN AT 6:00 AM and CLOSE AT 8:00 PM
Election Day Information including Polling Places, visit NJ Department of State
Philadelphia Inquirer and the League of Women Voters (PA) Voters Guide – to view candidates and ballot questions in Bucks, Burlington, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Gloucester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
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