PHILADELPHIA (March 6th, 2014) –Public Citizens for Children and Youth Executive Director Donna Cooper released the following statement regarding Mayor Michael Nutter’s proposed budget.
“We thank the Mayor and City Council for their hard work to successfully increase taxes for our schools over the last few years. Unfortunately, to meet the District’s basic budget request, the entire amount of funds requested by the Mayor for the schools — $143 million, requires action by the State Legislature. As such this proposal puts our school children at risk. We strongly urge the Mayor and Council to use the powers the State Legislature has already granted to the City and shift the full $120 million from the existing sales tax collections to the school district on a recurring basis. We support the Mayor’s call that the state pass an increase in the local cigarette tax rate and dedicate the first $75 million of those funds to the District to meet the Superintendent’s budget request for the next school year. However, we have serious reservations about a City plan to meet the District’s funding request for local funds that relies on any action in Harrisburg. We believe that a more realistic and prudent approach would be to find the funds in the current budget or enact revenue increases that do not require state approval so that the District can be assured of the minimal funds needed to open the doors next year.”
“We also commend the Mayor for including critically needed increases in funding for operation and capital improvements to our public libraries and recreation centers. These vital community institutions offer learning, joy and a safe place for our children to gather and grow.”