PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[McBane]

It's utterly ridiculous that the "equal pay" legislation was passed unanimously. I don't expect great things from council but for god's sakes, the three Republican members should not be voting for anti-business measures. I know there is a difference between the local and national GOP but come on, if you're a Republican and you vote in favor of this law, you really have no business being a Republican. I hope this serves as a wakeup call to the business community. They really need to come together and line up behind two or three pro-business candidates.

[1487]

Originally Posted by McBane

It's utterly ridiculous that the "equal pay" legislation was passed unanimously. I don't expect great things from council but for god's sakes, the three Republican members should not be voting for anti-business measures. I know there is a difference between the local and national GOP but come on, if you're a Republican and you vote in favor of this law, you really have no business being a Republican. I hope this serves as a wakeup call to the business community. They really need to come together and line up behind two or three pro-business candidates.

if you read the article and use common sense you know this decision wasn't made since that became law. How long ago did that happen- 2 weeks??? Obviously they were already planning the move and as noted they have a host of complaints about being in Philly- it's much bigger than some wage equality law. I have yet to see any cogent explanation about how that low decreases profitability for private companies. Essentially people are mad about the fact the law was even proposed and passed since it represents "anti business" but doesn't necessarily hurt the bottom line.

[Philly Kid]

Anti-business climate aside, where are they noting a rise in panhandling and homelessness? I feel like this has decreased slightly or at the worst has remained at consistent levels.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by 1487

if you read the article and use common sense you know this decision wasn't made since that became law. How long ago did that happen- 2 weeks??? Obviously they were already planning the move and as noted they have a host of complaints about being in Philly- it's much bigger than some wage equality law. I have yet to see any cogent explanation about how that low decreases profitability for private companies. Essentially people are mad about the fact the law was even proposed and passed since it represents "anti business" but doesn't necessarily hurt the bottom line.

It's not necessarily the law per say, it's the wage discrimination law ON TOP OF all of the other anti-business taxes and laws in Philadelphia. The city should be working towards becoming more business friendly.

City Council is trying to please their constituents and they think passing these kind of laws will increase wage levels and help fight poverty - which it won't. They can't seem to comprehend that a better business climate will attract companies, and will raise wages, fight poverty, generate more money for schools, attract more people to the city, etc.

It's amazing they can't figure this out.

[allovertown]

Originally Posted by Philly Kid

Anti-business climate aside, where are they noting a rise in panhandling and homelessness? I feel like this has decreased slightly or at the worst has remained at consistent levels.

Yes. That part is truly ridiculous. Sounds like they have planning to move for awhile and used the opportunity to take some politically motivated shots on their way out the door.

[AbortedWalrus]

Originally Posted by Philly Kid

Anti-business climate aside, where are they noting a rise in panhandling and homelessness? I feel like this has decreased slightly or at the worst has remained at consistent levels.

The homeless population has gone down as far as I know, but I think the problem is the construction on the Parkway has relocated some of it to be more visible than it was. Also, someone panhandling does not make them homeless. Most panhandlers aren't homeless.

[McBane]

Originally Posted by 1487

if you read the article and use common sense you know this decision wasn't made since that became law. How long ago did that happen- 2 weeks??? Obviously they were already planning the move and as noted they have a host of complaints about being in Philly- it's much bigger than some wage equality law. I have yet to see any cogent explanation about how that low decreases profitability for private companies. Essentially people are mad about the fact the law was even proposed and passed since it represents "anti business" but doesn't necessarily hurt the bottom line.

So fucking what? Put that law aside and tell me what Council has done to make the city more business friendly. Truthfully, I'm not sure how this law impacts the bottom line but can we all agree that this law is not making it easier to do business in the city? Which is exactly what the Council should be doing. At the very least, this law sends a message that city still doesn't care about making Philadelphia more competitive.

But in any case, I was making a point about how Council lacks a single pro-business voice, not this specific example. If you read my post and use common sense....

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by Philly Kid

Anti-business climate aside, where are they noting a rise in panhandling and homelessness? I feel like this has decreased slightly or at the worst has remained at consistent levels.

There's been a national-level rise in panhandling over the last five years or so as the opiates epidemic has gotten worse. This is not just a Philadelphia problem; it's an Oxycontin one.

[br323206]

Originally Posted by McBane

So fucking what? Put that law aside and tell me what Council has done to make the city more business friendly. Truthfully, I'm not sure how this law impacts the bottom line but can we all agree that this law is not making it easier to do business in the city? Which is exactly what the Council should be doing. At the very least, this law sends a message that city still doesn't care about making Philadelphia more competitive.

But in any case, I was making a point about how Council lacks a single pro-business voice, not this specific example. If you read my post and use common sense....

Well, council has expressed interest in lowering the wage tax--but we're still waiting on Harrisburg to make the necessary changes to make that possible.

And I know this will be an unpopular opinion but I think the fair wage law is a good thing. There is a lot of research out there that shows this kind of law can help reduce the gender pay gap. That's a positive. And I don't think there is going to be a business exodus because of it. They have the same law in Massachusetts at the state level and, as far as I can tell, there have been no negative impacts. They have the sixth highest GSP per capita and the third highest per capita income. In fact, all of the states at the top of the per capita income list are liberal states with lots of regulations that many people often characterize as "unfriendly" to businesses. The same is true of cities--with business unfriendly places like San Fran, NYC, DC, and Boston leading the pack.

[jjv007]

Originally Posted by 1487

if you read the article and use common sense you know this decision wasn't made since that became law. How long ago did that happen- 2 weeks??? Obviously they were already planning the move and as noted they have a host of complaints about being in Philly- it's much bigger than some wage equality law. I have yet to see any cogent explanation about how that low decreases profitability for private companies. Essentially people are mad about the fact the law was even proposed and passed since it represents "anti business" but doesn't necessarily hurt the bottom line.

Come on dude, do you every think anything even marginally negative about how the city is operated? Sometimes you act as if they're damn near perfect.

[jjv007]

Gender pay gap is somewhat of an issue, though imo sometimes exaggerated (a different topic altogether though). I don't think this law helps that in any substantial way regardless. Perhaps in name, but I highly doubt in action. Obviously the city doesn't care that Philly, a city with enormous potential, is slowly falling down the ranks of US cities smh.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by br323206

Well, council has expressed interest in lowering the wage tax--but we're still waiting on Harrisburg to make the necessary changes to make that possible.....

Hey, Br323206.

Could you expand on the "expressed interest in lowering the wage tax" comment.

Would it be significant? Is there a reasonable expectation that if Harrisburg were to clear the way, this would have enough support? Any feel for the likelihood that Harrisburg would ever do something so "pro-Philadelphia?"

[TempleGuy1000]

What we need to figure out is how HB/SB76 would effect a proposal like HB1871?

The 76 debate is extremely hot right now. I personally believe HB76 is a failed tax swap that a crazy lunatic from Reading has been driving support for, for well over a decade. The Tax Foundations analysis released last week should give anti 76ers some solid ammo. I'm pretty sure out of our entire metro, only 1 congressman from Chester voted for it last time. However people all across the state are convinced this is some magic bullet. In reality upping the PIT and SIT will only further exacerbate the flow of people leaving PA.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by TempleGuy1000

What we need to figure out is how HB/SB76 would effect a proposal like HB1871?

The 76 debate is extremely hot right now. I personally believe HB76 is a failed tax swap that a crazy lunatic from Reading has been driving support for, for well over a decade. The Tax Foundations analysis released last week should give anti 76ers some solid ammo. I'm pretty sure out of our entire metro, only 1 congressman from Chester voted for it last time. However people all across the state are convinced this is some magic bullet. In reality upping the PIT and SIT will only further exacerbate the flow of people leaving PA.

Yep, that's exactly it. Eliminating property taxes and shifting the burden to wage taxes is the dumbest possible thing one could do.

People in rural areas are paying higher property taxes because of the lower population density levels. Surely they're not intelligent enough to understand this however. When you buy a property, your property taxes go towards schools in the area, roads/bridges, utility lines and piping, fire, police, etc. It is not the city of Philadelphia which is causing their property taxes to increase.

If somebody in a rural area has high property taxes, they need to understand this is because of aging infrastructure and the lack of high population numbers to generate a meaningful amount of tax dollars to sustain repairs and maintenance.

Removing property taxes and shifting the burden to wage taxes will only drive more people out of the state. Hopefully they're smart enough in Harrisburg to comprehend this, but I really do not think they are.

[Milksteak]

I love how a guy who has been running a business in the city for 30 years decides to pack up shop and move to the burbs, take over a hundred tax payers with him, cites his exact reasons for leaving, and people respond by saying the equivalent of 'that guy is full of shit, he was probably leaving anyways'.

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Milksteak

I love how a guy who has been running a business in the city for 30 years decides to pack up shop and move to the burbs, take over a hundred tax payers with him, cites his exact reasons for leaving, and people respond by saying the equivalent of 'that guy is full of shit, he was probably leaving anyways'.

Agreed. This is the problem. People are continuing to brush off these companies leaving as "they were probably leaving anyways." He legitimately said he is leaving because of the unfriendly business climate in the city. Until the population accepts this and pushes City Council to make the city more friendly to businesses, the same bullshit is going to continue to happen.

[Kfmcshan]

Since we are on topic, I want to ask you all something I have been pondering. What do you think the unintended consequences of shifting the wage tax lower / commercial property tax higher be?

What will this do to small mom and pop / corner store owners? If they own the property and live upstairs, will the higher taxes crush their business / livelihood?

Will this switch cause small landlords to raise rents on small shops, forcing them out of business?

Will this cause some of the small corner commercial properties within residential streets to rezone to a non-commercial designation?

I am definitely behind the idea of lowering wage and other business taxes, but what will the prevailing plan do to the small guys?

[summersm343]

Originally Posted by Kfmcshan

Since we are on topic, I want to ask you all something I have been pondering. What do you think the unintended consequences of shifting the wage tax lower / commercial property tax higher be?

What will this do to small mom and pop / corner store owners? If they own the property and live upstairs, will the higher taxes crush their business / livelihood?

Will this switch cause small landlords to raise rents on small shops, forcing them out of business?

Will this cause some of the small corner commercial properties within residential streets to rezone to a non-commercial designation?

I am definitely behind the idea of lowering wage and other business taxes, but what will the prevailing plan do to the small guys?

I assume the city will shift retail uses to a non-commercial zoning designation to avoid the increase. I would assume this would be the best way to go.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by Philly Kid

Anti-business climate aside, where are they noting a rise in panhandling and homelessness? I feel like this has decreased slightly or at the worst has remained at consistent levels.

I see a lot more homeless people and pan handlers in Rittenhouse and Center City West. Obviously anecdotal, but I've seen a noticeable uptick in the last year or so. Particularly on and near 15th street between Chestnut and Spruce

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by 1487

if you read the article and use common sense you know this decision wasn't made since that became law. How long ago did that happen- 2 weeks??? Obviously they were already planning the move and as noted they have a host of complaints about being in Philly- it's much bigger than some wage equality law. I have yet to see any cogent explanation about how that low decreases profitability for private companies. Essentially people are mad about the fact the law was even proposed and passed since it represents "anti business" but doesn't necessarily hurt the bottom line.

Employers don't like not having benchmarks on what a candidate is worth. I don't blame them. Yes, you can say it's not so relevant and there should be a negotiation and vetting process and that's the way a salary agreement for a new position should be reached. But it's still a data point. It's represents the value that SOME passed employer attached to the applicant. And that's generally going to be someone with a lot more interaction and knowledge of capabilities - through real world performance - than is usually possible to glean through the hiring process.