PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphians can now learn the potential cost of bills introduced into City Council through a website Mayor Cherelle Parker unveiled Monday.
Parker says “Fiscal Notes,” estimating the cost of legislation, are standard practice in the state House, and she’s happy to bring them to the city.
“It’s common sense and it’s long overdue,” Parker said.
The information is accessible to the public on the city website. Bills introduced since last fall are already posted, revealing, for instance, that a charter change referendum on next month’s ballot to create a prison oversight board is likely to cost at least $300,000 a year. But three bills imposing new restrictions on landlords would have no budget impact.
Parker’s Legislative Affairs Director Rachel Meadows says cost will not be the deciding factor.
“Just because legislation will cost money to implement does not mean it’s a bad policy idea, but it is the mayor’s firm belief that the fiscal impact of legislation should be considered alongside the policy implications when making the decision as to whether or not it should become law,” Meadows said.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson agrees.
“It’ll just be another tool in the toolbox. It also provides another level of transparency in making sure we’re being responsible with taxpayer dollars,” he said.
To learn more about the potential budget implications of new legislation, visit phila.gov/departments/mayor/fiscal-notes.