Current neighborhood and total years of residence in Philadelphia:

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1 CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: GENERAL PHILADELPHIA 3.0 Name: Derek S. Green Office sought and political party affiliation: Campaign website and/or Facebook page: City Council At- Large, Democrat Current neighborhood and total years of residence in Philadelphia: Mt. Airy, 22 years Age: 44 Children: PROFESSIONAL Julian Green. Julian attends Houston Elementary School (Philadelphia School District) Education: University of Virginia, Bachelor of Arts, 1992 Temple University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1998 Current Occupation: Attorney, Derek S. Green, P.C. Previous Occupations: Special Counsel, Office of Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco Faculty, Center for Progressive Leadership Deputy City Solicitor, City of Philadelphia Law Department Assistant District Attorney, District Attorney s Office Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Delaware Department of Justice Assistant Branch Manager & Officer, Meridian Bank CIVIC Previous/current elected position: Previous - Judge of Elections (61 st Ward, 19 th Division), 5 years Current - Committeeperson (22 nd Ward, 16 th Division), 4 years Leadership positions in civic or community groups: Canaan Family Life Center, Inc., Pro Bono Counsel 1

2 OPEN- ENDED Center for Progressive Leadership, Alumni Board of Directors, Center in the Park, Inc., President, , Board of Directors East Mount Airy Neighbors, Inc., President, , Zoning Chairman Germantown YMCA, First Vice President, Green Tree School & Services, Board of Directors Logan CDC, Advisory Board of Directors, Mt. Airy USA CDC, Board of Directors Robert Johnson Smith Family Life Center, Inc., Pro Bono Counsel Urban League of Philadelphia, Board of Directors, West Oak Lane Charter School, Board of Directors West Philadelphia YMCA, Board of Managers, In your opinion, what are the core responsibilities of the office you are seeking?: Under the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, members of City Council are charged with the powers to enact ordinances and to make rules and regulations necessary and proper for local self- government (See 1-100). These powers include but are not limited to adopting an annual, balanced operating budget, capital program, and capital budget (See 2-300). However, [i]t is expected that Councilmen- at- large will not be bound by sectional consideration in acting upon legislation. (See Annotation, 2-100). How are you uniquely qualified to meet those responsibilities?: I am uniquely qualified to meet these responsibilities because I, as an attorney in City Council, drafted various ordnances that became law and counseled many members of Council, City employees, and constituents with regards to what actions are necessary and proper for our City. Further and as a former Deputy City Solicitor and District Attorney, I am intimately knowledgeable with regards to the City s budget process and how this process can impact the operations of City departments and how the City functions and governs. As a small business owner, I know how City ordinances, rules, and regulations can impact the growth of businesses in our City and can determine whether certain legislative initiatives are truly necessary and proper for Philadelphia. Finally and based on these experiences, I know that a core responsibility for an At- Large Councilperson is to represent the entire City and to consider how my actions impact all, not some parties or special interests, so that collectively Philadelphia can grow and prosper. SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM There are a limited number of ways City Council can increase the funding that the City provides to the School District of Philadelphia. Should Council legislate a funding increase to the School District? If so, what specific school funding legislation would you introduce? 2

3 Yes. Under Article 3, Section 14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, [t]he General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth. Over the past few years, the local share of education funding has grown and I believe that the General Assembly has not met its constitutional mandate with regards to providing Philadelphia with adequate education funding. Yet and understanding the dynamics of Harrisburg politics, Philadelphia will need to allocate additional money for education in order for our City to become a world class entity. However, I do not believe that these dollars should come in the form of a 9.3 percent real estate tax increase or other tax increases. With an approximately $4 billion dollar budget, the City can identify additional funding for education from within its current annual revenue. For example, City real estate taxes are shared between the School District and the City at a ratio of 55 percent (School District) and 45 percent (City). By introducing legislation to increase the School District portion of this ratio, additional local funding can be allocated for education while forcing the City to become a better steward of its current revenue. BUSINESS TAX REFORM City Council has authority over many of the tax types and tax rates paid by Philadelphia s businesses and workers. Should Council legislate a change to the business or wage tax structure? If so, what specific business tax reform legislation would you introduce? Yes. A few months ago, I was invited to join a working group to develop policies and legislation that would reduce the wage and business income and receipts tax (BIRT) in Philadelphia. Led by Jerry Sweeney of Brandywine Realty Trust and Paul Levy of the Center City District, this group is motivated by recent studies by the Center City District that demonstrate that the City has lost over 245,000 jobs over the last four decades and that we will lose another 35,000 to 40,000 jobs by Further, their research indicates that with all of the accolades with regards to the City s recent population growth this increase will be lost if we don t stop the downward trajectory of losing jobs in the City. In this regard, they have developed a ten year plan for tax competitiveness by reducing the wage and BIRT taxes. However and to implement this plan, it would require legislation to be passed at the local and state level. As a member of Council, I would introduce and advocate for this legislation so that we can promote and grow jobs in Philadelphia. SOCIAL WELFARE REFORM City Council can approve the use of financial instruments, such as minimum wages and tax rebates, to aid the poorest working Philadelphians. Should Council legislate a change to the wages paid to or taxes paid by low- wage workers? If so, what specific legislation would you introduce? Yes. Generally, I would support legislation that would provide a minimum wage for employees of City contractors and subcontractors. However and before passage of this or similar legislation, the City should evaluate the economic impact of this type of legislation. As a former small business lender for Meridian Bank, I am particularly sensitive to legislation that may have an impact on the growth of small businesses. Unfortunately, the unintended consequences of this type of legislation can sometimes hurt the very people that it is intended to help. For example, the City s Department of Human Services is 3

4 currently requesting numerous waivers from the City s new minimum wage law because several nonprofit corporations that have contracts with the City cannot afford to pay this new standard. Consequently, it is important to have a full and complete understanding of the economic and financial impacts of this type of legislation. PENSION REFORM The City s pension funds are approximately 47.4% funded and cost the General Fund almost $700 million a year. What specific approach would you advocate to put the pension funds on the path to solvency? In order to address this issue, I believe that the City should revisit how the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) can be leveraged as an asset for the benefit of the City. In the initial report that the City s financial advisor (Lazard Freres) prepared with regards to PGW, they stated that the City should engage in a public and transparent process with all stakeholders in order to determine PGW s future. Accordingly, the City should emulate the process Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski used to develop a public private partnership for a long term lease for that city s water and sewer system. Facing a similar pension problem, Mayor Pawlowski met with City Council, business executives, labor leaders, and constituents in order to determine the right approach for leveraging this asset. Following this process, Allentown issued a Request for Proposals that addressed the concerns that were raised by these stakeholders. Consequently, Allentown was able to receive a $211 million upfront payment for the long term lease of this system and will receive an annual payment of at least $500,000 for the next 50 years. For Philadelphia, a similar process can take place. In spite of the recent PGW debate between Mayor Nutter and City Council, PGW still has one of the largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage facilities in North America. Approximately 50% of this facility is needed for current PGW residential and commercial customers. In comparison to Allentown, this facility, through a long term lease, can be used for a public private partnership. Through my years of experience with Council, Philadelphia Gas Commission, and the City Law Department as well as relationships with members of Council, Gas Workers Union Local 686, and various private sector interests, there is significant interest in this type of collaborative approach toward this economic development opportunity. Considering that PGW currently sells approximately $5 million a year in LNG sales and, with a fully functioning facility, could sell up to $20 million in LNG sales per year, there is still a strong market for this opportunity in spite of last year s debate. Consequently, I would advocate for a PGW public private partnership and dedicate all revenues from this venture towards the pension fund. GOVERNANCE REFORM City Council has considered legislation that would institute a three- term limit for incoming Councilmembers. Should Council approve this or similar legislation, thereby creating a Charter change ballot initiative that would set term limits for the office of City Council? Yes. 4

5 City Council has the authority to change the law that allows sitting Councilmembers to raise in excess of funding limits for non- campaign or pre- campaign activities. Should Council legislate to close the campaign finance loophole? Yes. On average, only 10% of eligible Philadelphians vote in off- year elections. Should Council create a Charter change ballot initiative that would stagger City Council elections so that At- Large City Council races are decided along with the other citywide offices of Controller and District Attorney? No. Although I understand the premise of attempting to raise voter interest in off- year elections, I don t believe that moving At- Large City Council races to these cycles will ultimately achieve the goal of increasing voter turnout. Further, it will create staggered terms of members of Council which may lead to unintended consequences. City Council s convention of Councilmanic Prerogative is not law and grants authority over land use decisions to a single elected official. As a City Councilmember, when land use ordinances are up for full Council consideration will you vote on the merits of the ordinance? Yes. TECHNOLOGY REFORM The City s technological infrastructure is outdated but the resources to update it are limited. What specific technology project or upgrade should the City prioritize in order to increase the efficiency of municipal operations? I believe that the City should endeavor to become a paperless enterprise. With the advent of cloud storage and data management, more and more entities are moving towards this means of business operations. By eliminating paper, the City will save money by reducing its procurement costs for this product as well as enhance our operational efficiency and local environment by producing less waste. Various City Departments including Records, Revenue, Pensions, and Fleet Management have initiatives to reduce paper in their operations. Through Resolution Nos and , Former Councilman Bill Green raised awareness in Council hearings and through annual budget hearings regarding the various benefits and opportunities of a paperless City government. Accordingly, I believe that the City should revisit these initiatives and that any savings earned not remain in the City s General Fund but be earmarked as resources for other improvements for the City s outdated technology infrastructure. VISION You are running for a four- year term in City Council. What do you hope to accomplish during these four years? As a member of Council, I plan to accomplish the following: Step one of the Center City District s plan for tax competitiveness that will reduce the wage and BIRT tax; PGW Public Private Partnership with new revenue dedicated toward reducing the City s pension deficit; 5

6 Legislation that increases the percentage of real estate taxes that are allocated to the School District; Regional coalition of local elected officials that will advocate for a fair, weighted funding formula for Pennsylvania; and Comprehensive review of all City programs that promote small business growth and job development and new initiatives that will coordinate these programs in a more efficient and effective manner. 6