Councilman Ortiz, I was distracted. Okay, Councilman Clarke.
I believe there was a motion to table and it was seconded. I'm requesting a roll-call vote.
That motion is overcome by a motion to suspend the rules to permit a discussion.
(Inaudible, off mic.) (Council President Verna 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309 strikes gavel.)
There's a point of information. Councilman Kenney?
Point of information. (Unintelligible; parties talking over each other.)
Thank you. I was wondering if I could have a two-minute recess so I could check with the second floor to see how I should vote on this motion.
A motion to suspend the rules always takes precedence. (Council President Verna strikes gavel.) 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309
Councilman Kenney, I believe you have a point of order.
More important than the order, Madam President, are the rights of the people of Philadelphia: They have a right to know how their elected representatives vote on issues. This motion to table is a farcical motion to hide how Councilmembers feel and how they're voting.
Look, if you have a point of view, express it. Tell the people you don't think working people deserve the right to wage-tax relief, even though both political parties are committed to it. So at least have the guts to speak your mind. That's what you were elected for. (Council President Verna strikes gavel.)
Councilman Goode's light is on. Councilman Goode?
Madam President, could we please call the roll on Councilwoman 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309 Krajewski's motion.
There's a motion that supersedes the motion to table, and I ask that that vote should be first considered.
There is -there's another motion. I don't -- there's just so much going on that...
My motion to suspend the rules to permit discussion is to permit Philadelphians to know how their Councilmembers feel. I think the little old ladies in the gray shoes ought to find out who -- how their Councilman feels about their ability to earn a couple of extra dollars and have it for food on the table. Don't hide your feelings. Tell your people you don't think they deserve it, if that's how you want to vote. Don't try to hide behind these rules of tabling. The motion to suspend the rules takes precedence over a motion to table. I don't know why Councilmembers should feel they have to run to cover. Did the Mayor tell you that you don't 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309 have any right to talk, even though you were individually elected to your Council seat? I don't understand this sudden quiet on the part of Councilmembers. We're known for talking, making noise, representing our people properly. I think that the senior citizens on Social Security earning a few extra dollars in a part-time job, do you have to take away the wage tax away from them too? Why can't they earn their money so that they can live a little better life? The federal government and state government permit that; why don't we? Don't you think they shouldn't have the right to be free from the City wage tax? Get up and say so. (Council President Verna strikes gavel.)
Councilman, I believe your motion was made and seconded. Therefore, we will call a roll to suspend the rules so that we could debate. (Applause.)
Madam President, point of order. It's not our rules. It's in Mason's Manual, it's not in the Council's rules. 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309 We've adopted Mason's Manual and Mason's Manual is very clear, we've been through this many times before. A motion to table takes precedence over all other motions and is not subject to debate. And I would appeal the ruling of the chair if that is the ruling.
I'll appeal -(Unintelligible; parties talking over each other.)
Madam Chair, you said it was a rule that could be suspended. It's not one of our rules. If counsel told you that, I believe they're in error, and I would appeal the ruling.
(Inaudible). ...tell her, tell her directly. Don't hide and say the matter didn't come up because we tabled it. Even the Republicans in Washington and Harrisburg permit these. 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309
Councilman O'Neill, it is a rule, and the rules can be suspended if you would like to -
Tell the cafeteria workers that you don't think they deserve from the wage tax. Tell 'em you think they make too much money because they make enough so they eat one meal instead of three meals a day. Tell 'em, but be honest. Go and tell 'em you don't think they deserve relief, if that's the way you feel. I think the majority of this City Council had voted overwhelming, 11 to 3, to permit this kind of tax relief, and now a small group apparently controlled by the Mayor wants to prevent 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309 the voices of City Council from being heard. (Council President Verna strikes gavel.)
You are debating the issue. Please, a motion is on the floor. (Council President Verna strikes gavel.)
Councilman, you put a motion on the floor, it has been seconded, and we will call a vote on it, but please don't debate it now. You are not debating the bill now, Councilman. Councilman, you are not debating the bill now. You made a motion and it has been seconded and we will call it up for a vote, but I ask you, please do not debate it now. The clerk will please call the roll on Councilman Cohen's motion to suspend the rules.
Councilwoman Blackwell? 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309
Aye. The ayes are 7, the nays are 10. The motion fails. Now we will consider Councilwoman Krajewski's motion to table.
Council President Verna? 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020309
No. The ayes are 9, the nays are 8. The vote is 9-8, and the bill is tabled.
This is a fight that will go on. (Council President Verna strikes gavel.) 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020183
The clerk will please read the title of Bill No. 020183.
An ordinance approving a new plan, estimated cost, and proposed method of charges of the Manayunk Special Services District of the City of Philadelphia.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Councilwoman Krajewski? 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020183
Councilwoman Tasco? (No response. Councilwoman Tasco apparently not present at this time.)
Is Councilwoman Tasco in the room? 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020183 Please proceed.
Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are 0. (Councilwoman Tasco returns to chamber.)
Councilwoman Tasco should be vote recorded as voting aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020225
The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020225.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by making certain technical amendments, under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17, the nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, this bill passes. 6/6/02 STATED - SECOND READING, BILL 020226 The next bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 020226.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roosevelt Boulevard and Ridge Avenue. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally? The clerk will please call the roll.