Taxes and Budget
Committee of Seventy Logo
English Arabic Chinese (Simplified) French Spanish Vietnamese

Taxes and Budget

Seventy works to provide access to information on Philadelphia taxing and budgeting activities.

What We're Doing

Seventy diligently monitors the City's taxing and budgeting activity year-round, and provides you with the resources to view that activity.

Why We Care

Nobody likes to pay taxes. Worse, nobody wants those tax dollars spent wastefully or fraudulently. Shining a spotlight on how the government spends your tax dollars is at the heart of Seventy’s watchdog mission.

How it Works

We diligently monitor City Hall year-round, particularly during budget season in the spring. Around this time, the Mayor proposes a spending plan for the next fiscal year. Subsequently, City Council holds a hearing on the proposed plan, amends it, and then adopts it.
Important Resources
Office of the Director of Finance
The Office of the Director of Finance is the chief agency responsible for Philadelphia’s finances, accounting, and budgeting within the executive branch of the city’s government.
Open Budget Tool
The Open Budget Tool provides a quick overview of the city’s budget for users to explore.
City Council's Budget Center
Philadelphia City Council’s Budget Center includes proposed operating and capital budgets for the city. Moreover, it provides hearing schedules, specific budget information, and testimony by department.
Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA)
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) was established in 1991 to help Philadelphia recover from a severe financial crisis. The Board and staff at PICA continue to provide yearly oversight by reviewing and approving the city’s five-year financial plan.
Recent News
News

December 09, 2024

C70 Statement on Court Directive Regarding the Sheriff's Office

The Committee of Seventy's statement regarding a recent directive by the Court regarding the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office.

November 26, 2024

The Committee of Seventy Encourages People Not to Skip Thanksgiving Over the Election

The Committee of Seventy’s President and CEO, Lauren Cristella, provides tips and advice for people concerned about potentially contentious political discussions during the holiday season.

November 25, 2024

The Committee of Seventy Led Efforts to Empower Voters and Combat Misinformation in 2024 Election

Between June and November, the Committee of Seventy (Seventy) strengthened its commitment to educating and empowering Philadelphia and Pennsylvania voters. Through partnerships, public programs, multilingual digital and print resources, and accurate, reliable election information, Seventy reached over 350,000 individuals, equipping them with the tools to navigate an intensely scrutinized election with confidence.

November 22, 2024

The Committee of Seventy’s Youth Civics Programs Engaged More Than 20,000 Students this Election Cycle

Recognizing the power of future voters and leaders, the Committee of Seventy led a series of youth-centered, experiential programs designed to engage students in civic education during the recent election cycle.

November 21, 2024

Committee of Seventy Celebrates 120th Anniversary with a Special Event: "America at a Crossroads"

The Committee of Seventy recently marked its 120th anniversary with a special event titled “America at a Crossroads,” reflecting on the 2024 election and its critical place within the broader context of American democracy. The evening, two weeks after the presidential election, featured a thought-provoking discussion between CNN anchor Chris Wallace and 6abc’s Tamala Edwards.