Philly may issue new rules on regulations

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter’s administration has prided itself on being open and transparent.

But lawmakers say it can be difficult to get your hands on the most fundamental information about local government: the regulations that guide departments.

Currently, residents can look at the regulations in a records room in City Hall. The Nutter administration says it also regularly emails people copies of the rules upon request.

The City Council unanimously passed legislation last week that would require agencies to post their regulations, both proposed and final, online.

“There’s never a public discussion or a public viewing of the development of those regulations,” said Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, who introduced the bill. “What happens is many times there’s unintended consequences about how we implement certain regulations.”

And the city only holds hearings on the new regulations if residents requests them, Quiñones-Sánchez said, making it even more important to put them online.