The website will host unbiased analyses regarding the fiscal impact of legislation on the City
PHILADELPHIA — Today, Mayor Parker announced the launch of a new City of Philadelphia fiscal notes website. The Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs will publish unbiased and objective analyses regarding the fiscal impact legislation has on the City of Philadelphia’s revenues and expenditures on www.phila.gov/fiscal-notes.
“When I was in the Pennsylvania State House as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, fiscal notes were fantastic tools that assisted me and my former colleagues in the House in assessing the impact of what we would be voting on,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “This new website will help the government and the public with unbiased, objective analyses.”
Below is an overview of fiscal notes as provided during the press conference:
Preparation of Fiscal Notes
The Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) is responsible for overseeing the development of fiscal notes for resolutions or bills that have a measurable financial impact. The Policy and Fiscal Analyst (PFA) team in the office are tasked with preparing fiscal notes, which are thorough analyses of proposed legislation’s financial impact.
Fiscal Note Guide
What is a fiscal note?
A fiscal note is an estimate of the impact legislation has on the City of Philadelphia’s revenues and expenditures. It analyzes the costs that would result from the enactment of legislation. Fiscal notes may include the following: a legislative summary, financial analysis, and legislative history.
What is the purpose of a fiscal note?
This new initiative aims to produce transparency about the fiscal impact legislation would have on the City of Philadelphia’s budget. These fiscal notes are intended to inform policymakers, the public, and all stakeholders about the potential budgetary consequences of legislation. Fiscal notes support the Mayor’s goal of a transparent and accessible government. Overall, bringing greater visibility to the financial implications of legislation. Recognizing the pillars of the Parker administration, this initiative allows residents to have a city government which they can see, touch and feel.
How are fiscal notes developed?
Fiscal notes are developed by OLA’s PFA team in collaboration with various departments and their legislative and fiscal teams. The process includes reviewing proposed legislation, collecting fiscal data, and gathering implementation information directly from impacted departments.
What legislation requires a fiscal note?
Generally, resolutions or bills that have a measurable financial impact on the City’s budget may require a fiscal note. This may include legislation that involves new programs, significant changes to existing programs, or impacts to the City’s budget.
What legislation is exempt from a fiscal note?
Some types of legislation may be exempt from requiring a fiscal note. These may include resolutions or bills that do not have a measurable financial impact, or those that are related to procedural, technical, or internal matters that have no effect to the City’s budget.
Who prepares fiscal notes?
The Mayor’s Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Policy and Fiscal Analysts (PFA), are responsible for preparing the fiscal note. This team collaborates with other City departments to gather necessary data, analyze costs, and ensure that the financial impacts are accurately reflected in a fiscal note.
Where will fiscal notes be housed?
All fiscal notes will be housed in a centralized database accessible to the public at phila.gov/fiscal-notes. This database will include fiscal notes for bills and resolutions issued since fall 2024.
Fiscal Note Format
A fiscal note typically includes the following components:
- Heading: Provides identifying information about the bill/resolution, including who introduced the legislation, co-sponsors, date introduced, and to which committee the legislation was referred.
- Overview: Presents topics that the legislation covers and a brief fiscal impact statement.
- Legislative Summary: Provides a synopsis of the legislation and describes what it does in plain language.
- Fiscal Analysis: Displays a Fiscal Impact Summary Table that breaks down the fiscal impact in a five-year projection. This section also details the department’s implementation responsibilities and the materials and supplies, contracted services, personnel, etc. costs necessary to implement the legislation.
- Legislative History: Details the legislative history and iterations of this legislative concept that has been introduced in the past.