UPDATE: The sponsor of the public police oversight commission bill is holding the legislation. Stay with KYW Newsradio for updates on this developing story.
—
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council returns to session Thursday after a monthlong holiday break.
Councilmember Derek Green plans to introduce a bill creating a public bank to provide financial services for people and businesses without access to private banks.
He’s been working on the idea for a while but said the pandemic made its importance clear, when small businesses that had no relationship with a bank were unable to get payroll protection loans.
“Having a public entity can help small businesses navigate some of these issues,” Green said.
Related
Councilmember Curtis Jones was expected to introduce enabling legislation for a new Citizens Police Oversight Commission, which voters approved in November. However, KYW Newsradio has learned that the bill will be held to allow for more feedback from Mayor Jim Kenney's administration.
Some of the details are likely to change in the hearing process, but City Council President Darrell Clarke assures the new commission will have “teeth.”
“We will have subpoena power, it will have real citizen participation. I think it will be something that people should be proud of hopefully,” Clarke said.
He said the commission’s budget will be determined during the spring budget process.
Related
On Wednesday, Kenney signed all the bills City Council passed at its last session, except for one banning the use of synthetic herbicides on city property.
Kenney said the law department found the bill is an attempt by council to exceed its authority.