The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia applauds Philadelphia City Council’s historic vote to improve education, quality of life in neighborhoods, and ultimately, the health of our local economy, by adopting a new tax on sweetened beverages.
SBN has been a strong and vocal supporter of this tax over the past few months, because our members understand that for businesses to thrive, people and neighborhoods must thrive, too. For our 400 small business members, it has long been clear that successful local economies are undergirded by strong infrastructure, vibrant communities, and empowered human capital.
The proceeds from the sweetened beverage tax will allow Philadelphia to invest much-needed resources in universal pre-K, the creation of 25 new community schools, and the revitalization of scores of neighborhood recreation centers, parks and libraries. In our view, these are critical interventions in Philadelphia’s economic health, because:
Philadelphia’s economy will be at its strongest when we lift 400,000 of our residents out of poverty.
Philadelphia’s workforce will effectively compete when our schools graduate young people with the skills local businesses need to thrive.
And Philadelphia’s business districts will rebound more effectively when we make investments in neighborhood infrastructure, like parks and recreation centers.
We are gratified that our businesses answered the call to support bold investments in the quality of life of Philadelphia’s citizens. In the face of the considerable and well-resourced corporate lobby standing in opposition, the local small businesses in the Sustainable Business Network, together with neighborhood, civic, labor, faith, parks advocates, and everyday people from across the city stood firmly in support of the Philadelphia we are close to building— one that includes universal pre-k, community schools, and safe spaces for our children to play and recreate.
SBN congratulates Mayor Kenney, Council President Clarke and the members of City Council, our partners in the Philadelphians for a Fair Future coalition, and most importantly, Philadelphia’s children and families on this momentous advance towards a more just and sustainable local economy in Philadelphia.
