This Wednesday, November 16 at 10:00 am, City Council is holding a public hearing on Councilwoman Reynolds Brown's Equal Benefits Bill, legislation that would extend equal benefits for same sex partners.  The bill would require contractors accepting service contracts from the City of Philadelphia of $250,000 or more to extend the same employment benefits to life partners of its employees that is extended to spouses of married employees.

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown needs our help to pass this bill and we urge you to voice your support for the Equal Benefits Bill.  City Council needs to hear from you now.   

Below is the sample letter with the address, telephone numbers and email addresses of the Councilmembers who serve on the Committee on Law & Government (where this bill will be read, debated and voted on). Also included are their legislative aides.  We must touch these offices. We ask for your help in contacting them via at least one means of communication.

City Council Contact Information

• Councilman William K. Greenlee| Room 580, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-3446 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman James F. Kenney| Room 330 City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-3450 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman Frank DiCicco| Room 332, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-3458 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman W. Wilson Goode, Jr. | Room 316, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-3414 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman Bill Green| Room 599, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-342 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Councilman Jack Kelly| Room 594, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-686-345 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sample Letter

<Date>

Re: Bill #110057, Equal Benefits in City Contracting 

Dear Council Member ,

I am proud to support the Equal Benefits Bill, #110057, to promote equal benefits in City Contracting. Sponsored by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Bill #110057 ensures that all contractors who enter into contracts of $250,000 or more with the City of Philadelphia must extend the same employment benefits to life partners of its employees that are extended to spouses of married employees.

Providing the same benefits to an employee with a life partner, or same-sex or opposite-sex spouse ensures that workers receive equal pay for equal work.

Providing equal benefits also shows respect for the diversity of employees and their individual circumstances.  Additionally, treating employees fairly is a sound business practice.  A non-discriminatory benefits program enables employers to attract and retain the best and most talented employees, lowers turnover and recruitment costs, and helps improve employee job satisfaction and performance.

Bill #110057 will level the playing field for all employees of Companies that contract with the City of Philadelphia.  For those reasons and more, we urge you to vote in favor of Bill #110057.

Should you have any questions regarding our support for this bill, please contact me at <Enter Contact Information>.

Sincerely,

<Enter Your Name and Affiliation>