Committee of Seventy's Ethics Initiatives
Political Activity Restrictions
In late 2007, the Philadelphia Board of Ethics issued two opinions clarifying the political activity restrictions on members of certain City Boards and Commissions. In Opinion No. 2007-004 and Opinion No. 2007-006, the Board announced that its determination of whether a particular board or commission is subject to the Charter's political activity restrictions depends on whether the board or commission exercises a "significant power of government." Whether the board or commission members are compensated is also taken into consideration.
On January 22, 2008, the Committee of Seventy requested that the Philadelphia Board of Ethics hold public hearings on the effects of its recent rulings restricting the political activity of members of 25 City boards and commissions. Read Zack's letter to the Board here.
Read the Board's response here.
Click here to read the Ethics Board's Opinions.
Click here to read the Charter Provisions Restricting Political Activity
Click here for the City Law Department's Political Activity Guide. This guide is primarily aimed at City employees, but it is useful in deciphering the relevant Charter restrictions now applicable to some Boards and Commissions. (Please note that the answer to whether the political activity restrictions apply to Boards and Commissions should be updated to reflect the Ethics Board's updated analysis.)
Seventy's Top Ten Ethics Reforms for the New Government
Mayoral Candidates Ethics Agenda
City Council Ethics Agenda
City Council Candidates Expanded Responses to the Ethics Agenda
Chart of District Council Candidates Responses to the Ethics Agenda (PDF)
Chart of At Large Council Candidates Responses to the Ethics Agenda (PDF)
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