I think something is wrong with my light button. about three or four times. I just wanted to be recorded as voting aye on bills and resolutions when I was out of the Chambers.
The record will so indicate that. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Madam President. It's been said that it's better to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. Today I rise to do a little bit of both. By way of lighting a candle, as a part of the Minority Enterprise Development Week, MED Week, that will be taking place October 5th through October 9th, we will be hosting a series of workshops designed to empower minority and female companies throughout the region and take advantage of, in particular, procurement opportunities in the green economy with our local to partner with the Water Department, the Gas Works, PECO, SEPTA and the Airport to try to make these opportunities known. It is said that knowledge is power, and advanced knowledge is even more powerful. As Chair of the Committee of Transportation and Public Utilities, this is a perfect time, a perfect time to provide them with information that will, based on projections from the stimulus package coming from Washington, give them a heads-up and an advanced notice as to what kinds of opportunities that will stimulate our local economy. So we intend to have that workshop. For those people who want information about all of the workshops, they can go online to www.phillymedweek.com. That's www.phillymedweek.com. And I'm thankful to the Procurement Department and other sponsors for participating in this. That's the lighting the candle the darkness part. Many poor people in the City of Philadelphia and working-class people in our city have survived now the major brunt of the recession. They've survived our budget impasses. They've survived, as Councilwoman Tasco said, subprime lending and foreclosure, all on one word, a word called "hope." But our job is yet undone. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has helped us by providing our ability to raise the sales tax one percent, but they have yet to pass a budget. Childcare in the City of Philadelphia is not a social program alone. It is an economic development tool that allows working-class people to have daycare so that they can go and pursue an income. Some of those people have not been paid since June. There are daycare companies that are working on good faith and hope, without a paycheck. There are companies that are about to doors, we're about to open the doors, but have lost faith in that government subsidy, so, therefore, they are closed. There are working single parents that are losing their jobs because they have not been able to secure daycare. I'm cursing the darkness at this point and urging all those who have in the past been helpful at the Commonwealth to do the right thing and not just pass the budget so that employees can get paid by way of the Commonwealth, but make sure our vendors get paid so they can provide that economic development service. Finally, my colleague Wilson Goode, Jr. had an Economic Development Committee hearing on the status of inclusion by way of our city. At best, it was inadequate. At worst, it was a shame. And in cursing that darkness, it's okay, because we understand that we have to survive the economic collapse of had to deal with a budget impasse. We had to deal with all of those things, but to not have a plan post recession, post budget passage will not be accepted by this Council. I grow increasingly frustrated, like my colleagues, as to the lack of an economic development plan that allows us to cut ribbons, to create jobs, to start businesses in the City of Philadelphia. And, by the way, Council, if you haven't noticed, is getting along a lot better these days, and we will not stand by and allow inaction to be an action. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Madam President. As one who is trying to get along but just been told how well we are getting along -
Thank you, Madam President. Today I wanted to remind everyone that our Montel Williams bus, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, is outside again to inform your colleagues and those who may come to your offices that free prescription information is available to them. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. Are there any further speeches? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 8th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Council Thursday, October 8th at 10:00 a.m. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. Thank you. (Stated Meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on October 1, 2009, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)