Philadelphia voters approve ballot measures focused on the arts, small businesses – City & State Pennsylvania

Philadelphia voters approve ballot measures focused on the arts, small businesses  City & State Pennsylvania

The two ballot measures continue the recent trend of amending the city’s Home Rule Charter Philadelphia voters are on pace to pass both ballot measures on the Nov. 3 ticket, paving the way for the city to create a permanent arts and culture office and prioritize small and local businesses when awarding contracts. The ballot measures, originally passed by City Council and signed by the mayor, will amend the city’s Home Rule Charter after voters approve them. The first ballot initiative would revise the city’s contracting procedures to allow and modify bid preferences and set-asides for small businesses, and to give the Procurement Department and City Solicitor discretion over bond requirements for certain construction projects.

In short, the law wouldn’t guarantee small and local businesses will be granted city contracts but will ensure that the size and location of the business – rather than its status as a minority-owned business – is considered during the bidding process. The measure, originally introduced by City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson, would change procurement rules to allow the city to contract with businesses on contracts between $75,000 and $500,000, even if the companies don’t make the lowest bid. Last year, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker signed an executive order modifying the city’s approach to prioritizing small