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
October 11, 2024
More Than 60 Teachers from the Commonwealth Go Back to School to Bring Nonpartisan Civics Education to K-12 Classrooms
More than 60 K-12 Pennsylvania teachers attended the inaugural PA Civics Educator Forum at the National Constitution Center on Friday, September 27, 2024. Hosted by the Committee of Seventy in partnership with PA Civics and other civic organizations, this free professional development conference offered educators innovative teaching methods, experiential learning activities, and nonpartisan resources to enhance civic education in their classrooms.
October 03, 2024
Committee of Seventy Launches Poll Worker and Poll Watcher Information Sessions Ahead of Election Day
The Committee of Seventy, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, is hosting virtual information sessions for poll workers and poll watchers leading up to the November 5, 2024 general election. Launched on September 16, these sessions will continue through November 4, offering insights and guidance for both new and experienced poll workers and poll watchers to ensure a smooth and secure voting process.
September 26, 2024
Committee of Seventy Testimony on Mail-In & Absentee Ballot Access to the Democratic Caucus Policy Committee
We were founded in Philadelphia to combat corruption and have played an important role in civil service reform, campaign finance reform, and election administration. We are a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, and we do not endorse candidates or represent any special interests. We want better government that our citizens can trust.
September 24, 2024
Committee of Seventy Launches Nonpartisan Interactive Voter Guide for Upcoming November Election
The Committee of Seventy, Pennsylvania’s leading nonpartisan advocate for better government and stronger democracy, launched its Interactive Voter Guide for the upcoming November 5th election. The Interactive Voter Guide is a digital resource designed to help voters make informed decisions when casting their ballot. Users can enter their address to view a personalized, downloadable, sharable ballot and learn about candidates and their positions, as well as ballot measures specific to their location.
September 16, 2024
UPDATED: C70 Statement on the Attack Against Fmr. Pres. Trump
C70 condemns this violent attack and calls on leaders across all ideologies and sectors to speak out against violence publicly and in no uncertain terms.
