Philadelphia: The place that scratches your back

Thursday, there’s a big ol’ vote in City Council on a bill sponsored by Michael Nutter. The bill would eventually eliminated the business-privilege tax, which brings in $350 million in revenues to the city each year, but also might drive business out of the city.

People in favor of eliminating the BPT include the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Why does all of this matter? Well, City Councilman Wilson Goode gave Young Philly Politics a scan of a check for $1,000 given to him by the Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 1. (Goode says he’s not going to deposit it.)

The check in question:

So, basically, the Chamber (which supports Nutter’s bill) gives out $1K checks a few days before the vote on Nutter’s bill. Hmm.

I really don’t think you can buy this kind of entertainment from the private sector. But it really seems like you can buy some politicians. Which, you know, might be the American way. All in all, everybody wins! Or, you know, loses.

Editor’s Note: Yeah. I did this whole post just because I came up with a headline I thought was good. So what?

How business is done [Young Philly Politics]