Communication 200278

March 12, 2020 TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA: I am hereby returning without my signature Bill No. 200016, which was passed by Council at its session on February 27, 2020. This Bill expands an existing tax credit for the Wage Tax. The bill is not receiving my signature for the same reason I did not sign Bill No. 190746 during the last term. While I agree with the goal of reducing the tax burden on low-income residents, and ensuring those same Philadelphians have more money in their pocket, this legislation doubles down on a tax credit that is difficult to administer and accessed by very few taxpayers. Instead, my Administration is reviewing other possible options that target this specific population, and use existing structures, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), to make it easy for residents to access this benefit. Additionally, this Bill would have a significant budgetary impact that should be considered as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 budget process, beginning later this month. For this reason, I am returning without my signature, Bill No. 200016. Respectfully, JAMES F. KENNEY Mayor