Nutter discusses budget
Cameron Birch
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: News
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At the town hall, Nutter stated he wanted to answer the question of, "how did we get to the point where we are" in addition to "hearing from you" on issues which he said are "against the grain of what I have promoted as a political office for 15 years."
According to Luke Butler, deputy press secretary from the mayor's office, the meetings are "to explain and discuss the changes that have been made to the budget in light of the recent financial crisis."
"People appreciate that the mayor is going out into neighborhoods all across the City explaining the difficult circumstances that we're in," Butler said.
At the town hall meeting, Nutter said he expected a $108 million deficit in the current year. Butler reiterated this amount and said it needed to be taken from Philadelphia's $850 million in spending.
Additionally, Butler said a $1 billion deficit was projected over the next five years.
Maura Kennedy, also a deputy press secretary from the mayor's Office, said balancing the City's spending meant that, "If we fund one program, we need to fund another one a little bit less."
According to the city's web site, these funding cuts include the closing of some city libraries and the shortening of others' hours. Also, the mayor has stated that less frequently used city roads may not be plowed this winter.
Nutter proposed moving afterschool activities and education opportunities to buildings nearby the closed libraries. This was in response to community rejection to these closings.
Kennedy also said the budget gap grew exponentially and the city had to "act quickly" and "were not able to get a broad range of input" in addressing every solution to the city's financial changes.
"There is not a lot I can do to close a 108 million dollar gap that exists right now…it requires action right now," Nutter said.
The issues of taxation were raised and Butler stated that the previously scheduled tax cuts for wages and businesses in the city would be delayed until 2015, however if the "economic conditions allowed" the delay would be reconsidered.
This delay, according to Butler, saves the city around 220 million dollars.
Both Butler and Kennedy iterated the need to maintain crucial city services and preserve core city services. Butler said the city was, "mindful of the long-term implications of any actions."
No fire or police personnel were laid off nor were any reductions made in the emergency medical services or healthcare centers. Kennedy said homeless projects and foster care would also not be affected by the cuts.
The opinions expressed by those at the town hall meetings are being taken into consideration for the next budget proposal due up around January or February, according to Nutter.
Additionally, the mayor has been in talks with President-Elect Barack Obama regarding infrastructure projects within the city. Obama, along with Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.), and other governor's in the country were in Philadelphia Tuesday to discuss the need for a bipartisan economic recovery plan.
According to Butler, internal spending was discussed, the city has projects that are ready to go that can, "put people to work in the coming months."
Kennedy said the city was "interested in pursuing that sort of help from the federal government," and wanted to start the work to, "have impact on local community."
Tuesday's town hall meeting was the third of eight planned meetings with the Mayor and other city commissioners.
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