Latest News

The Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission

An Inspiration for Inclusive Economic Growth and Empowerment

Philly’s private-sector job growth has long lagged other cities. Can the next mayor make a difference?

The Center City District blames the long-criticized levy for sluggish job growth. The next mayor could face tough choices.

How Updated Rules Make Santa Monica An Easier Place To Do Business

WalletHub Ranked Santa Monica 834th Out Of 1,261 Small-Sized Cities To Start A Business. Now, The City Has Simplified Zoning And Permitting Rules.

How Philly Can Include Black And Brown Entrepreneurs In Its Construction And Development Industry

Op-ed: City leadership must be more intentional about breaking and rethinking systems that are failing to create inclusive growth.

San Francisco Eyes Tax Reform as Key to Recovery

San Francisco’s Controller’s Office has weighed in on what may be the city’s most viable path to recovery: meaningful tax reform that diversifies the tax base while paring stratospheric business taxes.

Viewpoint: The role of tax cuts in supporting Philadelphia's minority-owned businesses

The decision to cut wage and business taxes in Philadelphia represents a significant step forward for the city, particularly for minority and diverse businesses, writes guest columnist Mustafa Rashed.

Tax cuts and more police spending are in Mayor Jim Kenney and Council President Darrell Clarke’s final budget

The new budget will take effect July 1, and it will be the final one of Mayor Jim Kenney and Council President Darrell L. Clarke’s long City Hall careers as both men are leaving office in January.

Council is right to cut taxes and help spur economic growth | Editorial

The proposed reductions are a modest investment to attract businesses, not a significant decrease in the city’s ability to provide services.

How supplier diversity at Independence Blue Cross benefits Philadelphia

The remarkable fortitude required to launch a small business, foster its growth, and embrace the many risks and challenges involved, is nothing short of inspiring. Owning a small business is even more challenging when the odds are stacked against you because of your race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other factors.

Opinion: Can Philadelphia, once again become the "Workshop of the World?”

Since its founding Philadelphia has gone by a lot of titles. Some are related to our unique place in the country’s history — like the “Birthplace of the America” and the “Cradle of Liberty.” Some reflect the city’s character — “A city of neighborhoods.” Another focuses on our history of innovation — “A City of Firsts.” And, probably our most well-known moniker is the “City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.”

Guest Commentary: Cleaner Streets are Key to Philly’s Success

Local business leaders on what the City must do to bring more visitors — and their economic impact — to Philadelphia

Philadelphia is poised to cut business, city wage taxes — again

Philadelphia City Council leaders are proposing a small cut to business taxes, but a coalition of business chambers of commerce are pushing to slash taxes in the next decade.

Philly businesses want tax cuts. The next City Council might be divided.

Candidates diverge greatly on whether to lower business taxes, and other ways the city could attract more business.

Center City Report: Philly’s Dual Business Taxes Are Making Its Downtown Office Drain Worse

Empty office buildings are the biggest economic threat to Philadelphia's downtown area, according to its economic development organization.

Op-ed: Chinatown community seeing effects of crime and violence

Less than a month ago, it happened to us. Like so many restaurants and shops in Philadelphia, my bakery in Chinatown was robbed. It was brazen; as my cashier was closing up, the robber rushed inside, grabbed the cash, and tried to flee. Amazingly, a customer jumped in, took the money back, and chased the robber out. Even though no money was lost, my cashier was traumatized and I feel like my bakery was violated.

Philly’s onerous tax system is a job killer. Here’s what the mayoral candidates say they’ll do about it. | Editorial

The next mayor needs a coherent tax policy that reduces wage and business taxes in order to promote job growth and reduce poverty.

Viewpoint: Philadelphia's next mayor must realize crime, quality of life and job growth are interconnected

The people currently running to lead Philadelphia do so at a remarkable moment in our city’s history. With a reinvigorated commitment to improving the quality of life in our region, and our laser-like focus on inclusive and equitable growth, Philadelphia is making 21st century economic progress, particularly for underserved communities. With the right approaches, we can turbocharge that growth, even as we confront our city’s persistent challenges: namely, gun violence and poverty are keeping our city from reaching its potential.

New coalition to tackle Philadelphia's gun violence

As gun violence and crime continues to plague the city of Philadelphia, businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and other leading institutions have been stuck wondering what they can do to help curb the issue.

Viewpoint: Philadelphia's next mayor, City Council must prioritize inclusive job and business growth

In 2023, Philadelphia is poised to elect the city’s 100th Mayor and a new City Council. While our future elected public officials will consider many issues, we believe a comprehensive pro-jobs, economic agenda must be part of the discussion to revitalize and grow our great city.

What the Philly economy can learn from our hot sports scene. Let’s hustle

The Phillies and the Union had an impressive season despite the outcome of the World Series and the Major League Soccer Cup. Still, the Eagles remain undefeated in the National Football League, and Philly has been tapped as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, causing Philly sports pride to run high.

City Council’s tax-cutting budget deal represents a return to the center in Philly politics

After several years of momentum for the left, City Council’s centrist Democratic majority is once again unafraid to tout priorities like business tax cuts and boosts to police spending.

Tax cuts are a signal to local entrepreneurs that Philly is open for business.

The reductions will keep more money in workers’ pockets and promote job growth.

‘It’s a start’: City Council cuts Philly’s wage and business tax rates in a win for diverse chambers

City Council’s agreement late Wednesday to accept small but historic wage and business tax cuts marks one of the first major business-friendly moves by city government in decades, advocates and bill sponsors said.

Philadelphia City Council approves business and wage tax cuts as part of $5.6B budget deal

Philadelphia City Council approved a $5.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2023 in a preliminary vote late Wednesday, reaching a deal with Mayor Jim Kenney that includes cuts to both business and wage taxes.

The deal also takes steps to mitigate the impact of increased property taxes following a recent reassessment that found a 21% aggregate jump in property values citywide since 2020.

Approval of BIRT and wage tax cuts hailed as turning point by Philadelphia business leaders

Leaders of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and the Diverse Chambers Coalition lauded City Council’s approval of decreases in local business and wage taxes as a significant move to reverse the city's anti-business reputation.

Council, Kenney reach budget deal with plenty of tax cuts

City Council gave preliminary approval Thursday to a budget that would slash wage and business taxes and significantly expand popular property tax relief programs in response to rising assessments.

Lawmakers, tasked with passing a spending plan by the end of the month, reached an agreement with Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration late Wednesday night.

Philly’s five chambers of commerce show unprecedented unity pushing for wage tax cut

City Council is scheduled to discuss wage tax cuts, business tax cuts and other budget issues beginning Wednesday afternoon. In a striking show of unity, Philadelphia’s business chambers — five in all — are banding together to push City Council to cut burdensome wage and business taxes.

Op-ed: How Philadelphia can support the LGBT community

As Philadelphia emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic that caused deep damage to our communities, decision makers have been focused on what it will take “come back” and “return to normal”. But the goal shouldn’t be to “return” to how things were, but to use the slowdown forced by the pandemic to make things better in our communities. By adopting just a few key changes, the city can not only help communities that were harmed, but build upon its reputation as one of the best places in the country to live, work or visit.

City’s diverse Chambers, business owners call for lawmakers to “Give Philly A Raise”

Philadelphia has among the highest wage and business taxes in the nation and is being outpaced in job creation.

Change is being demanded.

Give Philly a Raise!

Spearheaded by local leaders, Give Philly a Raise is a movement to make surviving in the city more
manageable for residents and business owners.

But how feasible is the plan aimed at making a more affordable Philadelphia? Hank Flynn takes a look.

Philly business leaders rally for wage, business tax cuts

Another “briefcase brigade” may be brewing.


Twenty years ago, members of the business community marched to City Hall to protest then Mayor John Street’s veto of a bill lowering Philadelphia’s wage tax. The effort was successful, but the tax remains a problem, employers say.

Philly Chambers, minority firms call for business and wage tax cuts

PHILADELPHIA — A group of business chambers, business groups and diverse businesses in Philadelphia, are calling on Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council to make substantial wage and business cuts in fiscal year 2023.

It's time to give Philly’s workers, and working business owners, a raise

Often when people hear about cutting taxes for businesses they think that it is about tax breaks for large corporations making billions of dollars each year. When in fact, it is about supporting small businesses like mine and others such as pizza shops, hair salons, and coffee shops. We’re not making billions of dollars yet we are creating local jobs and providing needed services within our region and beyond.

Chambers, minority firms call for business and wage tax cuts

A group of business chambers, business groups and diverse businesses in Philadelphia, are calling on Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council to make substantial wage and business cuts in fiscal year 2023. They are holding a rally at noon on Wednesday on the north side of City Hall.

Philly’s ability to generate job growth could mean the difference between renaissance or stagnation

Philadelphia faces a turning point in its post-pandemic recovery, and a new report suggests that just 70,000 new jobs within the city limits could mean the difference between a renaissance or stagnation.

RELEASE: Inclusive Growth Coalition calls on the City to “Give Philly a Raise!”

Particularly during this recovery period, to grow our economy, reduce poverty, maintain quality services and make our city safer, it is imperative that we increase the number of gainfully employed people in Philadelphia – either working for themselves or for others.

The next must-do item for the Philly budget? Promoting business growth | Opinion

As restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic wane, there must also be meaningful investment in citywide job creation and business growth, write Susan Jacobson and Regina A. Hairston.

Op-ed: COVID has raised demand for workers and wages. Is that the solution to Philadelphia’s poverty

In recent months, from grocery aisles to gas stations to the cost of popular holiday gifts, evidence of higher prices is everywhere. As anyone who has taken Economics 101 would be able to quickly explain, costs of goods and services rise when demand for them outstrips their supply. Whether due to supply chain snags, pent up demand as COVID lockdowns lift or consumers feeling flush after stimulus payments, the pandemic has not changed this basic tenant of economics.

Leaders of Philly’s minority chambers of commerce say the city needs to be more business-friendly

Philadelphia-area chambers of commerce are coming together under one central idea: inclusive growth.

The Inclusive Growth Coalition, including several business organizations in the southeast, is advocating for Philadelphia’s pandemic recovery process to be equitable as it brings job and business growth to the region.

How Local Communities Can Support Black And Brown Business Owners

As business leaders, we must always heed the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” Let’s ask ourselves, what is history making us out to be? Have we moved the needle and advanced diversity, equity and inclusion as many of us publicly promised? Have we acted, or are we still reacting? Are we effectively communicating our actions to stakeholders? Are we focused solely on our own progress, or are we making contributions as corporate citizens and community partners?