Isaiah Thomas (politician)

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Councilmember Isaiah Thomas
Councilmember At-Large Isaiah Thomas
Majority Whip of the Philadelphia City Council
In office
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Member of the Philadelphia City Council At-Large
In office
January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2023
Personal details
Born (1984-07-03) July 3, 1984 (age 39)
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
Alma materFrankford High School, Penn State University, Lincoln University[1]
ProfessionPolitician, Educator, Non Profit Director, Coach
SignatureCursive signature in ink
Websitehttps://phlcouncil.com/isaiahthomas/

Isaiah Thomas Sr. is a Democratic politician and At-Large member of Philadelphia City Council. He was born to a family of 10 children[2] from the East Oak Lane neighborhood of Philadelphia.[3] He attended Frankford High School, Pennsylvania State University and Lincoln University.[1] He was first elected to an At-Large seat on Philadelphia City Council in 2019.[4] Thomas was re-elected to a second term with the highest votes in the 2023 primary and general elections.[5] He assumed office January 2, 2024 and was elected by fellow members to serve as Majority Whip.[6]

Personal life[edit]

Thomas is one of 10 children born to parents Barry, an educator and coach and Veronica, president of the deaconess board of Triumph Baptist Church.[7] He grew up in Philadelphia and attended Frankford High School.[1] During his freshman year in high school he started working for the Philadelphia Freedom Schools program during the summer.[8] He graduated from Penn State in 2007[9] with a degree in sociology and social behavior and obtained a master's in education from Lincoln University.[1] He worked part time in the office of State Representative Tony Payton between 2009 and 2010.[10] He also worked as a coach and Associate Dean of Students at Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter[10] and became executive director of Philadelphia Freedom Schools.[11] From 2012 to 2015 he was an adjunct professor[9] in the Human Studies department at Lincoln University.[12] In 2015 he started the Thomas and Woods Foundation with District 1199C Vice President Chris Woods.[12] From July 2015 to 2018[11] he worked as the director of community affairs in the Philadelphia City Controller's office under Alan Butkovitz.[13][14]

Political career[edit]

While working at Philadelphia Freedom Schools, Thomas witnessed the negative effects of education cuts by former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and credited this experience as one of the reasons he became politically involved.[3] His first job in politics was working as a Legislative Assistant for former State Representative Tony Payton.[3] He was mentored by Tony Payton, Payton's chief of staff Jorge Santana,[1][15] 1199C president Henry Nicholas and State Representative Isabella Fitzgerald.[16]

In 2011 at age 26, Thomas ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for City Council At-Large. He placed 8th in a field of 14 candidates,[17] winning 31,515 votes.[18]

In 2014 Thomas was elected as a Democratic Committeeperson in Ward 10, Division 11.[19]

In 2015, Thomas again ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary City Council At-Large, this time only narrowly defeated. He received endorsements from The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board,[20] former mayor John F. Street,[21] Councilmembers Curtis J. Jones Jr. and Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, City Controller Alan Butkovitz and several labor unions.[2] He placed 6th in a field of 20 candidates,[22] where the top five candidates advance to the general election. He received 48,000 votes[11] and was just barely defeated by Helen Gym,[23] who received 49,270 votes.[24]

In 2019 at age 34, Thomas ran in the City Council At-Large primary again, this time endorsed by the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee[25][26] and at least 13 labor unions.[27] He placed 3rd out of 28 Democratic candidates with 62,830 votes and advanced to the 2019 General Election.[28] In the general election he was victorious, placing 3rd with 189,819 votes, 14.2% of all votes cast.[29]

Thomas endorsed Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[30]

Thomas was the highest vote getter in the 2023 Primary and General Elections, receiving 108,330 and 197,642 votes in the respective contests.[31] Thomas assumed office for his second term on January 2, 2024, and was elected by fellow members to serve as Majority Whip.[32]

Philadelphia City Council[edit]

Committee assignments[edit]

As of January, 2024:[33]

  • Legislative Oversight (chair)
  • Education (chair)
  • Children and Youth (Vice Chair)
  • Appropriations
  • Finance
  • Rules
  • Disabled and Persons With Special Needs
  • Global Opportunities And Creative Innovative Economy
  • Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
  • Public Health and Human Services
  • Public Safety
  • Technology And Information Services

Issues[edit]

Police Reform[edit]

In June 2020, Thomas and other lawmakers called for a slate of reforms in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, including residency requirements for police and recruiting more people of color for police work.[34]

In October 2020, Thomas introduced a bill intended to decrease racial profiling by police during traffic stops. The Driving Equality ordinance alters which low-level motor vehicle violations can be enforced with a traffic stop as the primary enforcement mechanism.[35] The eight motor vehicle code violations enforced by Driving Equality are:

  • Late registration (with a sixty-day grace period)
  • Relocation of temporary registration (must be visible)
  • Relocation of license plate (must be visible)
  • Missing a single brake light
  • Items hanging from the rearview mirror
  • Minor Bumper issues
  • Driving with an expired inspection sticker
  • Driving with an expired emission sticker[36]

The bill passed in City Council on Thursday, October 14, 2021, with a 14–2 vote. In passing the bill, Philadelphia became the first large U.S. city to ban the use of pretextual stops.[37]

The Driving Equality Ordinance was signed into law on November 3, 2021, and took effect 120 days subsequently thereafter.[38] Before the law went into effect, though, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 filed a lawsuit in February 2022, claiming the ordinance was preempted by state law.[39] Common Pleas Court Judge Craig Levin in March 2023 ruled the ordinance was not in violation of state law and that methods of enforcement of the state motor vehicle code are "matters of purely local concern."[40]

Housing[edit]

As of November 2019, Thomas supports rent stabilization policies.[41]

Substance Use[edit]

In March 2020 Thomas supported, during a committee voice vote, legislation that would label a supervised injection site as a "nuisance health establishment" and give City Council more control over licensing and location of supervised injection sites.[42]

Labor and Employment[edit]

In December 2020, Thomas introduced legislation to require hotels and food service contractors at the airport and the stadiums to retain workers instead of firing them if the contract or employer is sold.[43] Thomas also sponsored and moved legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic to require 50% of the city's request-for-proposals (RFPs) bids would be granted to Philadelphia businesses.[44]

Taxes

Thomas has cited the fiscal health of the city as a major legislative priority. In an effort to make Philadelphia more business friendly, Thomas sponsored budget amendments in the FY22 and FY23 budgets to reduce the Business Income and Receipts Tax, a historically volatile tax that is regarded as onerous on local businesses.[45][46]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e "At-large interview: Isaiah Thomas". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  2. ^ a b Terruso, Julia. "Jones, Sanchez endorse non-incumbent Isaiah Thomas for Council". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  3. ^ a b c Thompson, Nigel (2020-01-15). "Councilmember Isaiah Thomas: The coach turned lawmaker fighting for a better future for Philly youth". AL DÍA News. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  4. ^ "'Cleaning out my office': Four new faces are coming to Philadelphia City Council". Billy Penn. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  5. ^ "Isaiah Thomas". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  6. ^ "Councilmember Isaiah Thomas | At Large | Majority Whip". Philadelphia City Council. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  7. ^ "The coach takes a shot at Council." Philadelphia Daily News (PA), February 24, 2015: 02. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/153B148AD97B5C78 .
  8. ^ "Isaiah Thomas - Candidate for City Council at Large". Reclaim Philadelphia. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  9. ^ a b "Isaiah Thomas LinkedIn".
  10. ^ a b "ISAIAH THOMAS BIO". thomas-and-woods. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  11. ^ a b c Writer, Michael D’Onofrio Tribune Staff. "Isaiah Thomas, 34, announces third bid for City Council seat". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  12. ^ a b Writer, Damon C. Williams Tribune Staff. "Isaiah Thomas starts nonprofit foundation for at–risk city youth". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  13. ^ "Isaiah Thomas considering third shot at Philly City Council". City & State PA. 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  14. ^ Williams Tribune Staff Writer, Damon C.. "City Controller hires Isaiah Thomas for position." Philadelphia Tribune, The (PA), July 17, 2015. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/156A9C6821D5F4F0 .
  15. ^ "Northwood Civic Meeting". Frankford Gazette. 2011-05-11. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  16. ^ Terruso, Julia. "Meet the 3 newcomer primary winners likely joining City Council". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  17. ^ and Marcia Gelbart, Jeff Shields. "14 Democrats seeking City Council at-large seats in Philly." Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA), May 13, 2011: B01. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/13733E1B0DA3A748 .
  18. ^ "Sixty Six Wards, Ward Portal: 2011 Democratic Primary, At-Large Results". jtannen.shinyapps.io. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  19. ^ "Elected Democratic Committeemembers" (PDF). Philadelphia City Commissioners. 2014.
  20. ^ Board, Inquirer Editorial. "Endorsements." Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA), May 19, 2015: A16. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1556C09AA94B9820 .
  21. ^ Terruso, Julia. "Former Mayor Street endorses Isaiah Thomas for Council". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  22. ^ Williams Tribune Staff Writer, Damon C.. "Crowded field for City Council at-large seats." Philadelphia Tribune, The (PA), March 24, 2015. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/15445B6C8E83D9D0 .
  23. ^ Waring, Tom. "Thomas concedes nomination in Democratic primary for City Council." Northeast Times (Philadelphia, PA), June 3, 2015. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/155C164EE64F3C58 .
  24. ^ "Sixty Six Wards, Ward Portal: 2015 Democratic Primary Results". jtannen.shinyapps.io. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  25. ^ Ernest, Owens. "saiah Thomas on Why He's a "Stronger Candidate" in Third City Council Run". Philadelphia Magazine.
  26. ^ Brennan, Chris. "FOP leaning toward endorsing Philly Sheriff Jewell Williams because of... DA Larry Krasner? | Clout". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  27. ^ Reyes, Juliana Feliciano. "Which 2019 Council at-large candidates have the most union support and what the pols have said about workers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  28. ^ Terruso, Julia. "Philadelphia at-large City Council primary election results: Party-backed millennials come out on top". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  29. ^ "Sixty Six Wards, Ward Portal: 2019 General Election Results".
  30. ^ Owens, Ernest. "Two Incoming City Council Members Are Endorsing Elizabeth Warren for President - Isaiah Thomas and Jamie Gauthier, neither of whom received an endorsement from Warren in their own races, join Mayor Kenney and DA Larry Krasner in supporting the Massachusetts senator.." Philadelphia Magazine (PA), November 11, 2019. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1772B13B5EECF248 .
  31. ^ "Philadelphia Election Results". philadelphiaresults.azurewebsites.us. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  32. ^ "Councilmember Isaiah Thomas | At Large | Majority Whip". Philadelphia City Council. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  33. ^
    Standing Committees 204-2027
  34. ^ Eaton, Aaron. "Black lawmakers call for slate of Philadelphia police reforms." Philadelphia Tribune, The (PA), June 2, 2020. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/17B5EA8CCA5566A8 .
  35. ^ "Philly City Council bill would ban police traffic stops for minor violations". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  36. ^ "City of Philadelphia - File #: 210636-A". phila.legistar.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  37. ^ Walsh, Sean Collins (2021-10-14). "Philly has become the first big city to ban minor traffic stops said to criminalize 'driving while Black'". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  38. ^ Tucker, Evan Simko-Bednarski,Maya Brown,Emma (2021-11-04). "Mayor signs legislation making Philadelphia the first major US city to ban police from stopping drivers for low-level traffic violations". CNN. Retrieved 2024-01-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ "Police union sues over Philadelphia ban on low-level stops". AP News. 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  40. ^ Orso, Anna (2023-03-30). "Philly court tosses police union lawsuit over driving equality law". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  41. ^ WHYY, Jake Blumgart. "Rent control & ‘equitable development’: How a new City Council wants to change Philly." Philadelphia Tribune, The (PA), November 6, 2019. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1771745AB13C04E8 .
  42. ^ Tribune Staff Writer, Michael D’Onofrio. "City Council pushes ahead with proposal to regulate supervised injection sites over Kenney's opposition." Philadelphia Tribune, The (PA), March 9, 2020. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1799EBF5B8CA77A8 .
  43. ^ Feliciano Reyes STAFF WRITER, By Juliana. "COUNCIL: Package of bills passed to aid hospitality workers.." Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA), December 11, 2020: A11. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current. https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/17F4D99BA32C0358 .
  44. ^ admin (2020-11-20). "CITY COUNCIL PASSES COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS' KEEP IT LOCAL BILL". Philadelphia City Council. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  45. ^ Arvedlund, Erin (2022-06-17). "'It's a start': City Council cuts Philly's wage and business tax rates in a win for diverse chambers of commerce". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
  46. ^ Walsh, Sean Collins; Orso, Anna (2023-06-08). "Philly's wage and business taxes will be cut amid a big cash surplus for the city". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
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