Nutter, Green unlikely allies in same-sex ethics bill

Philadelphia Councilman Bill Green introduced a bill Thursday that would extend ethics rules to same-sex partners, but it was his partnership with an unlikely cosponsor - Mayor Nutter - that made the gesture notable.

Green, son of a former mayor, is widely thought to covet Nutter's job and rarely wastes an opportunity to play the mayor's foil.

But in a possible sign of detente between the two, Green introduced legislation on Nutter's behalf that would extend ethics rules to same-gender "life partners" of city workers.

Current ethics laws prevent city officials from making decisions that could financially benefit themselves, their spouses, or other close relatives.

Green's bill would add life partners - already defined under the city code and eligible to share in their partners' benefits - to the groups covered by ethics laws.

A frequent critic of the mayor, Green acknowledged the two did not often find concord on any issue, but said he was now "trying to find more to agree on."

He has previously introduced pension legislation on Nutter's behalf.

Nutter spokesman Mark McDonald said that the administration works with all members of Council, and that Green made sense for this particular bill because "he has shown a deep interest in ethics."

Also Thursday, Council approved several pieces of legislation, as had been widely expected.

With a 15-2 vote, Council ratified a bill by Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr. that would require companies doing business with the city to pay workers for as many as seven sick days. A bill that would have mandated sick days for all companies across the city has stalled in Council against opposition from the business community.

Republican Councilmen Brian O'Neill and Jack Kelly opposed the bill, saying it would make the city less competitive.

Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on the city to support a lawsuit by New York state and other parties against the Delaware River Basin Commission to bar the drilling of Marcellus Shale before a full environmental analysis is completed.

By a unanimous vote, Council approved legislation that would prohibit landlords from terminating leases based on a tenant's status as a victim of domestic violence. The bill, proposed by Councilman William K. Greenlee, would not prevent landlords from evicting such tenants for other reasons.

The proposed ordinance also would require landlords to allow victims of domestic violence to adjust or terminate a lease if the tenants provide proof of abuse, such as a court order or police or medical reports.

Council also passed a bill that clarifies aspects of a 2010 law requiring lobbyists to register. The amended version says people who lobby before the School District, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp., the Redevelopment Authority, and any other city-related agencies and boards must register and report.