More than 30 congregations, representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faith traditions, joined at Mother Bethel AME Church on Feb. 1 for the Philadelphia Affordability Summit.
According to a Power Interfaith press release, more than 500 Philadelphians attended to “confront the city’s growing affordability crisis compounded by cuts and policy decisions at the federal and city levels.”
The event saw public testimony and dialogue with elected officials on revenue cuts at each level of government, including the Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT) cuts made by City …
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More than 30 congregations, representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faith traditions, joined at Mother Bethel AME Church on Feb. 1 for the Philadelphia Affordability Summit.
According to a Power Interfaith press release, more than 500 Philadelphians attended to “confront the city’s growing affordability crisis compounded by cuts and policy decisions at the federal and city levels.”
The event saw public testimony and dialogue with elected officials on revenue cuts at each level of government, including the Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT) cuts made by City Council last year.
Since the decision, faith leaders with Power Interfaith fear the gradual reduction of the BIRT tax could potentially harm the city’s working class and most vulnerable residents.
The BIRT tax is the third-largest source of tax revenue for the city, paid for by business owners or companies engaged in for-profit activity within the City of Philadelphia. The tax is not levied on residents who are not business owners.
In November, faith leaders held press conferences around the city, calling attention to the affordability crisis and calling out the BIRT cuts.
Councilmembers Nicolas O’Rourke and Isaiah Thomas answered questions from constituents during Sunday’s event, with a representative from Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s office also in attendance.
POWER Interfaith formally called on City Council to produce a comprehensive affordability report examining how local tax policies, like the BIRT cuts, and development decisions impact everyday residents.
