Nutter: A budget ‘we are prepared to fight for’

From the VIP section of City Hall chambers, former Mayor and chairman of the Philadelphia Housing Authority John Street, center, listens to the budget address.
From the VIP section of City Hall chambers, former Mayor and chairman of the Philadelphia Housing Authority John Street, center, listens to the budget address. (Bob McGovern)
By Marcia Gelbart, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: March 03, 2011

With no new taxes and few spending cuts, Mayor Nutter this morning proposed his least controversial budget since taking office - a reflection in his view of the city's more secure, but still uneasy, financial position.

Addressing City Council in a formal budget speech, the mayor proposed a $3.45 billion plan for fiscal 2012 that would pay for a new police class and new hires to launch a much-awaited update of city property assessments.

There is no money to hire new firefighters, although $2.6 million more in overtime would be available.

For the first time, Nutter's budget also sets aside money - $4 million - to remove snow from city streets and sidewalks.

To be sure, the administration faces tough decisions in the days that will follow as Gov. Corbett is expected to announce deep spending cuts that will mean less funding for social services and public education in Philadelphia, among other reductions.

But for now, Nutter said, "This is the budget we want. It is the budget we are prepared to fight for.

"Though I am fully aware of further challenges in the near future, we will not compromise on our goals, we will not adjust our vision, and we will not relent for one second in our pursuit of the 21st Century Philadelphia that we all know we can be."

Though the administration proposes spending more money next year because of rising pension, health care and debt service costs, at $3.45 billion, Nutter's fiscal 2012 budget is actually smaller in size than the 2011 budget.

That is due to an accounting change in which $500 million in grant money received by the Department of Human Services has been shifted out of the general fund and into what is known as the city's grant fund. The switch should lessen problems the city has when it receives late reimbursement payments from the state.

Contact staff writer Marcia Gelbart at 215-854-2338 or mgelbart@phillynews.com.

Follow the Inquirer at www.Twitter.com/PhillyInquirer and www.Facebook.com/PhillyInquirer

 

Index by Keyword
|
Index by Date
|
About Philly.com
|
Contact Us
|
Terms of Use & Privacy Statement
|
Copyright 2013