In a recent Philadelphia Council session, a period of silence was observed to honor the victims of the tragic plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. The Learjet 55, a medical transport aircraft, met its demise soon after takeoff, claiming the lives of six individuals – including a child, her mother, and four crew members – along with at least one person on the ground. According to the Council's weekly report, numerous others were injured, with some still under hospital care. The Northeast Philadelphia community, represented by Councilmember Mike Driscoll, received commendations at the session for their resilience and ongoing recovery efforts.
The Council focused also on legislative matters, passing several significant resolutions. Notably, Resolution #250058, proclaimed that 2025 would be the Year of Cooperatives, with the city encouraged to facilitate the growth of local cooperative businesses. In tandem with celebrating community and business, Councilmember Kendra Brooks led a charge for improved worker protections. Introducing the POWER Act, Brooks seeks to empower the Office of Worker Protections to enforce labor laws and take action against exploitative employers. The bill, backed by a range of pro-worker groups, aims to provide expedited investigations into severe retaliation cases and potential compensation for affected workers, as noted by Philadelphia City Council's official report.
Amidst these developments, Council President Kenyatta Johnson convened the inaugural Food and Nutrition Security Task Force meeting. This initiative unites various stakeholders to address the city's food scarcity issues, with the task force scheduled to deliver a strategic plan to combat the challenges of food insecurity that affected 13.6% of Philadelphians in 2023.
While grappling with these pressing issues, the city's council chambers echoed with fanfare, hosting a pep rally in support of the Philadelphia Eagles as they geared up for Super Bowl 59. The Council expressed their sporting spirit, dressing in Eagles colors and welcoming Eagles Hall of Fame player Trent Cole. As reported by the Council's recent announcement, a win in the upcoming game would carve the team's name into NFL history, marking their second Super Bowl win.
Lastly, Philadelphia residents have been given an extended deadline to February 28 for the city's Low-Income Tax Freeze program. Eligible homeowners, earning below $33,500 individually or $41,500 as a married couple, could secure their real estate tax bill at 2024's rate, offering financial relief in times of rising living costs. The City offers details and application requirements for interested parties on their website. The next City Council session is slated for February 13, 2025, with various platforms available for public viewing.
