Resolution 200109

..Title Authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce & Economic Development to hold hearings regarding comprehensive qualitative and quantitative efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the City of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, Philadelphia is a vibrant metropolitan area that strives to create an environment conducive to unparalleled business success and job growth; and WHEREAS, Both City Council and the Kenney Administration desire to advance a regulatory environment that is increasingly favorable to the lawful establishment and operation of local businesses; and WHEREAS, Fundamental to the premise of such an environment are predictability in process and quality in customer service, as well as rules that protect against abuses to either; and WHEREAS, Qualitative and quantitative measures exist for how cities can improve regulatory rules for starting a business, permitting, employing workers, taxes and other indices; and WHEREAS, The utilization of such data can help to establish optimal levels of business service, inclusive of acceptable procedural times, while adequately considering social protections; and WHEREAS, Studies have found that the best functioning economies boast uncomplicated rules that enable businesses of all sizes and origins to easily establish themselves, grow and hire; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia seeks to improve its standing amongst the Nation's cities with regard to ease of doing business through the streamlining of processes and lowering of costs: and WHEREAS, City Council created, empaneled and authorized the Special Committee on Regulatory Review & Reform with a mission to identify archaic, superfluous, and confusing provisions in the Philadelphia Code and in departmental regulations; and to recommend revisions that streamline, clarify and enhance the City's regulatory environment, for the purpose of accelerating the growth of well-paying jobs in Philadelphia while ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents; and WHEREAS, The Administration, through the Department of Commerce, is committed to ensuring respectful, efficient, and timely service for all business owners who interact with the city; and recently adopted the Business Owners Bill of Rights to that end; and WHEREAS, Continuous consideration of ongoing improvements in service delivery - including those that dive into the processes specific industries must undertake - can yield more data, evidence and insight, thereby helping to ensure comprehensive results; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That City Council's Committee on Commerce & Economic Development be authorized to hold hearings regarding comprehensive qualitative and quantitative efforts to improve the ease of doing business in city of Philadelphia. ..End