Construction Tax Approved by Philadelphia City Council

Mayor Jim Kenney could still veto the bill.

1 minute read

June 21, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Downtown Philadelphia

A G Baxter / Shutterstock

"Philadelphia City Council on Thursday voted to tax new construction projects in order to fund an affordable housing program," reports Holly Otterbein.

Councilmembers voted 9-8 in favor of the tax, three votes short of the veto-proof total of 12. Councilmembers weren't clear, and the Mayor's Office wouldn't comment about any potential veto plans.

"The 1 percent tax on construction, which lawmakers expect to raise as much as $19 million annually, would help finance the city government’s Housing Trust Fund," according to Otterbein. "The fund’s revenues could be used by developers to build housing for those earning up to $105,000 a year."

See an article on the proposed construction tax posted earlier this month for more background.

Thursday, June 21, 2018 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

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