Frequently Asked Questions About Municipal and State Government
How is Philadelphia’s Government Organized?
The mayor is the premier executive officer of Philadelphia. He is responsible for the executive and administrative decisions for the city. He has extensive budget powers and can veto budget bills at will. The mayor appoints a managing director, director of finance, city solicitor, city representative and director of commerce, a civil service commission, and members of various boards and commissions. The mayor also appoints the heads of every department in city government and all secretaries and other assistants needed to run the city's offices and departments. The City Council is the legislative branch of city government. It approves the mayor’s budget and decides how much money the mayor needs to run the city effectively. The city controller is independent of the mayor and City Council. The controller is responsible for overseeing all city spending.
What are the City Offices in Philadelphia?
The city offices in Philadelphia are elected and appointed positions. There are 8 various offices which include: 1) city commissioner, 2) mayor, 3) sheriff, “the public watchdogs”- 4) city controller and 5) the district attorney, 6) city council members, 7) clerk of quarter sessions, and 8) the register of wills.
Who is My City Council Member?
There are 17 city council members in Philadelphia. Ten of these city council members are elected by district. Click here to find out your city council representative
What Does My City Council Member Do?
Council members introduce bills to the Council. If they are passed, they become city ordinances. The proposed bill is distributed at a public hearing or meeting and is available for the public. Passage of a bill requires the favorable vote of a majority of all members of Council. A bill becomes law upon the approval of the Mayor. If the Mayor vetoes a bill, Council may override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote.
What is a Ward?
The ward is the second smallest political unit of the City. A ward represents a collection of divisions. Each ward is represented by a Republican and Democratic ward leader, who are selected by their party's committee people from the ward's division. Every four years, shortly after committee people are elected into office, they elect a party member to serve as their "ward leader."
What is a Division?
A division (often called a "precinct") is the smallest political unit of the City, normally comprising between 600 and 800 registered voters. Divisions are what make up wards. Click here to find out your ward and division
Where is My Polling Place?
You can find your polling place by using Seventy's convenient interactive polling place locator. All you need to know is your address.
What is the General Assembly?
The General Assembly forms the legislative branch of Pennsylvania's state government. It drafts and passes the laws for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, subject to the Governor's veto power. Although legislative posts in the General Assembly are conceived as part-time offices, many legislators consider these offices full-time positions. The General Assembly meets at the state office complex in Harrisburg to conduct the official business of the Commonwealth. Many members also maintain local offices within their district.
The General Assembly is comprised of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate. There are 203 representatives in the House (in 1998, twenty-seven Representatives served the City of Philadelphia.); and fifty members in the Senate (seven Senators served the City of Philadelphia in 1998.)
What is the Difference Between the General Assembly and the City Council?
The General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government. City Council forms the legislative branch of city government. City Council creates the ordinances (local laws) that govern the City. City Council's duties include considering and approving: the annual budget, construction projects, tax rates, zoning ordinances, and many other projects and laws. The Mayor is empowered to veto any legislation passed by City Council; however, a two- thirds (2/3) majority vote of all members of Council can override that veto.
Who is My State Representative?
State representatives are members of the General Assembly. A member of the senate is called Senator and a member of the House of Representatives is referred to as Representative. They are popularly elected on the First Tuesday in November of every even-numbered year. Click here to find out your representative
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