civus
ResolutionADOPTED

Resolution 140527

Submitting to the electors of the City an amendment to Article VIII, Chapter 5 of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, entitled "Referenda Approved by the Voters," by adding a new section providing that the citizens of Philadelphia call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the Governor to abolish the School Reform Commission and return local control of Philadelphia's schools, as proposed by a petition filed with the Council.

Introduced Jun 5, 2014Committee on Law and GovernmentOfficial record: City of Philadelphia via Legistar

Introduced by

Councilmember Blackwell

From the floor

Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.

  1. “Our children are our most precious assets. We have to protect them and we have to educate them. So that it is important, City Council members, for each of you to understand the unique role that you play here today and the expectation as voters we have of you. We need you to support Resolution 140527 and 140514. We need to have the opportunity to voice our opinion about the SRC. That's not your job; it's our job. We n…”

    Ms. Blunt · Stated Meeting, September 18, 2014 · Sep 18, 2014 · official transcript, this passage

  2. “Hold on, folks. Hold on a minute, please. The ayes are 16; the nays are one. The motion passes. So Resolution 140527 is approved. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of 140660.”

    Council President Clarke · Stated Meeting, September 18, 2014 · Sep 18, 2014 · official transcript, this passage

  3. “Good morning, City Council members and guests. My name is Catherine Blunt. I am a retired principal and teacher. I worked for the School District for 43 years, and I am here to encourage this Council to support giving City residents the opportunity to express their opinion on November 4th about abolishing the School Reform Commission, otherwise known as the SRC, and returning local control of Philadelphia public scho…”

    Ms. Blunt · Stated Meeting, September 11, 2014 · Sep 11, 2014 · official transcript, this passage

  4. “The Committee on Law and Government, to which was referred Bill No. 140514, entitled "An ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to Article VIII, Chapter 5 of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, entitled 'Referenda Approved by the Voters,' by adding a new section providing that the citizens of Philadelphia call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly…”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, June 19, 2014 · Jun 19, 2014 · official transcript, this passage

  5. “The ayes have it, and the bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. Resolution No. 140527 will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. The Chair now recognizes Councilman Henon for a report from the Committee on Public Property and Public Works.”

    Council President Clarke · Stated Meeting, June 19, 2014 · Jun 19, 2014 · official transcript, this passage

Status timeline

  1. Jun 5, 2014Introduced and Referred · CITY COUNCIL
  2. Jun 18, 2014HEARING NOTICES SENT · Committee on Law and Government
  3. Jun 18, 2014HEARING HELD · Committee on Law and Government
  4. Jun 18, 2014NO RECOMMENDATION, RULE SUSPENSION · Committee on Law and Government
  5. Jun 19, 2014ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING. · CITY COUNCIL
  6. Sep 18, 2014ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL

Official documents

Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.

Full text

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..Title Submitting to the electors of the City an amendment to Article VIII, Chapter 5 of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, entitled "Referenda Approved by the Voters," by adding a new section providing that the citizens of Philadelphia call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the Governor to abolish the School Reform Commission and return local control of Philadelphia's schools, as proposed by a petition filed with the Council. ..Body WHEREAS, Under Section 6 of the First Class City Home Rule Act (53 P.S. §13106), amendments to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter may be proposed by a petition presented to the Council signed by not less than twenty thousand registered electors; and WHEREAS, Such a petition has been presented to the Council, and after review of the petition by the Clerk of Council, the petition has been accepted for filing with the Council; and WHEREAS, The First Class City Home Rule Act requires the Council President, upon the filing of such a petition, to submit for the consideration of the Council, by resolution, the question as to whether the amendments proposed by the petition shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the City for their approval; now, therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the following amendment to Article VIII of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, as proposed by a petition filed with the Council, shall be submitted to the electors of the City on an election date designated by ordinance: ARTICLE VIII PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION * * * CHAPTER 5 REFERENDA APPROVED BY THE VOTERS * * * §8-504. Restoring Local Control of Philadelphia's Schools. We, the citizens of Philadelphia, believe the state's takeover of our schools through the School Reform Commission has weakened the voices of parents and community in the operation of public education in Philadelphia. We call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the Governor to abolish the School Reform Commission and return local control of Philadelphia's schools. All appropriate City officials are hereby vested with the duty and the responsibility to take all appropriate steps, to the fullest extent allowable under law, to promote and defend the will and mandate of the people. ______________________________________ Note: Italics indicate matter added by this amendment. ..End