What's On Your Mind, Philly? Council Meetings Open
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Today, for the first time ever, Philadelphia residents will have the opportunity to speak his or her mind during a city council meeting. The change comes after a state Supreme Court ruling last month.
The state Supreme Court struck down City Council's 50-year-old tradition of only allow the public to speak at committee hearings. So today will see the first regular Thursday meeting at which the public will be given the floor.
Council President Anna Verna says there will be limits, "The only thing that we're going to be discussing are those bills that are before us that particular day for a vote."
That means the topics of speeches will be limited to agenda items. And the length of citizen speeches will be held to three minutes. Verna admits even then, tomorrow's meeting may run long:
"It may. It may."
Dunn: "And does that bother you?"
"We're here to serve."
Anyone who wants to speak must notify the City Council chief clerk at 215-686-3410.
What would you want to talk about? Let us know in the comment section below.
Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio
