Michael A. Nutter

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Michael A. Nutter

Michael A. Nutter is a Democratic politician and former councilman of the 4th Council District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which includes the neighborhoods of Wynnefield, Overbrook, Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls and parts of North Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, and West Mount Airy. He has also served as the 52nd Ward Democratic Leader since 1990.

He and mayor John F. Street have been known to clash over policy and reform. On June 27, 2006, Nutter announced his resignation from the city council to run for mayor.^[1]

1 Background
2 Policy
3 2007 Mayor's Race
4 External links
5 Notes

[edit] Background

Michael Nutter was born and raised in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia. He attended and graduated from Saint Joseph's Preparatory School and the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. Prior to his public service, Nutter worked as an investment manager at Pryor, Counts & Co., Inc., specializing in municipal finance. He was first elected city councilman in 1991.

In 2001, Nutter was appointed to the Board of City Trusts, which manages all money or other property left to the City of Philadelphia. The Board administers over 110 separate trusts for a wide variety of charitable purposes, the most significant being Girard College and the Wills Eye Hospital.

Nutter also serves as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Board. He was appointed to this position in February 2003. As chairman, he crafted a pivotal labor-management agreement which was signed July 2003; and he is now spearheading a $630-million expansion project for the Center. Under his leadership, the Convention Center has recruited professional, experienced management staff, increased bookings, and created a business-like environment for convention customers and attendees.

[edit] Policy

Nutter supports reducing and/or repealing the city's Business Privilege Tax and Wage Tax. Using the information and recommendations developed by the Tax Reform Commission, Nutter has pushed for a gradual elimination of the Business Privilege Tax (BPT) since 2004. On four occasions, bills were approved by City Council, but were vetoed by the Mayor. He also drafted legislation that reinstated reductions to the city wage tax after the mayor introduced a budget that would have halted them.

He has also been a voice for ethics reform in the city. In September 2004, as councilman, Nutter introduced legislation creating an independent Ethics Board. In addition, he proposed changes to the City's Ethics Code to provide for routine training and education of all City officers and employees, the issuance of advisory opinions, the adjudication of violations, and the imposition of civil fines. These measures were adopted at the end of 2005. On May 16, 2006, voters approved the Ethics Board ballot question with over 81% voting “Yes,” and the Board is to be established within 90 days.

Nutter also sponsored "The Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Law," mandating smoke-free environments in all public places.

Nutter's "Philly First" program, which took effect on July 1, 2004, gives preference to Philadelphia businesses in all competitive bidding on City contracts greater than $25,000.

In January 2005, the City announced a library reorganization plan in which twenty branches would shift from full-day service to half-day service, and that many head librarians had been laid off. Library supporters rejected these changes and petitioned the Mayor and Council to restore service and staffing levels. Then-councilman Nutter called for an investigation to evaluate the Library System and explore alternatives to find additional funding in order to restore service. City Council rejected the Administration's cut, funding was restored, and by the Fall of 2005 all library branches had full-day service, Saturday hours, and a head librarian.