Nutter establishes new ethics rules for Philly

Mayor Michael Nutter has decided to implement a number of new ethics rules. He’s using an executive order because legislation is stuck in Philadelphia City Council.

The rules include zero tolerance for sexual harassment and nepotism. They also regulate gifts and outside employment by city workers. Nutter says instead of waiting for City Council, he resorted to executive orders that cover over 85 percent of the workforce .

“The body did not want to seemingly take action sometime last year,” said Nutter. “I took it upon myself as executive for the city to to at least cover those over who I have direct jurisdiction I’m not in charge of those other folks, they don’t work for me.”

The mayor says he doesn’t want it to appear that he is circumventing council. He said he hopes his move will inspire agencies covering the rest of city employees to follow suit.