To avoid monstrous cuts and layoffs, Philly needs state lawmakers to approve legislation that would allow the city to raise the sales tax temporarily and to defer some pension payments, moves that are worth $700 million over five years.
But the legislation - House Bill 1828 - has stalled amid union protests over pension-reform amendments added to the bill by the state Senate. The state House delayed a vote last week, promising to revise the legislation. The earliest they will vote is tomorrow.
Because of the delays, the city has been forced to submit the Plan C "doomsday" budget, which calls for slashing 3,000 jobs, to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. PICA will vote on the plan Friday.
Nutter yesterday said that, between the expected state House vote and the PICA vote, tomorrow "and this Friday will literally determine the future of the city."
Officials yesterday discussed how they would let residents know about the pending Plan C actions, most of which would take effect Oct. 2, if Harrisburg doesn't act. Among their plans:
* Notices will go up at recreation centers and libraries tomorrow, stating that buildings will be closed on Oct 2. Signs at parks will say that the parks will not be cleaned or maintained.
* Libraries will continue lending until Sept. 30, but, as of tomorrow, all materials will be due back on Oct. 1 in advance of the closures.
* Households will receive robo-calls this week, notifying them of the switch to twice-a-month trash collection.
* Layoff notices will go out to approximately 3,000 city workers on Sept. 18.
But some key parts of the doomsday financial plan were not detailed. One big question is just what would happen if the city stops funding the courts, the District Attorney's Office and public defenders.
