Phila. Councilmembers Skirt Controversial Property Tax Vote
"This is generally a tax break for the few, the new, and the well-to-do, not for most of Philadelphia," Councilman Goode said of the tax-abatement program he would like to curtail.
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"This is generally a tax break for the few, the new, and the well-to-do, not for most of Philadelphia," Councilman Goode said of the tax-abatement program he would like to curtail.
Chris details an editorial written in the New York Times by Vladimir Putin, Councilman Jim Kenney's request to sever ties with a Russian City, and some unfortunate tributes to 9/11 promoted by corporate America. He also talks to CBS News reporter Sharyl Attkisson about her ongoing coverage of the Benghazi attacks and Fast and Furious.
While school funding will dominate the next few months, other key issues will be front and center, including revising the controversial property tax abatement.
Krajewski represented the 6th Councilmanic District, in Northeast Philadelphia, from 1980 until 2012.
Chris reacts to the managerial change made on Friday by the Phillies and takes calls with Charlie Manuel. He also covers the funding battle for Philadelphia schools and Governor Chris Christie's role in the New Jersey Senate campaign. He also talks to Michael Bronstein and Jeff Roe on the Monday Morning Matchup.
Nutter said the city will borrow the money until the funding crisis can be resolved.
Rob Dubow says the Philadelphia school district's budget woes could get worse if City Council doesn't approve a bill to make permanent the once-temporary hike in the sales tax.
Chris discusses some supermarket and pharmacy's decision not sell this month's issue of Rolling Stone, Jimmy Carter's issue with race, and Philadelphia Council President Darrell Clarke's idea to use additional sale tax revenue for employee pensions.
Who will appear and who won't? That's the question of the day at Philadelphia City Council, where a committee resumes its probe of last month's tragic building collapse in Center City.
Committee members got an education on best practices and standards from leading local experts in the field.
With the Philadelphia School District struggling under a giant budget deficit, city councilmembers and community groups gathered at City Hall to announce a small but important fund to expand early childhood education programs.
Parents upset with the Philadelphia School District's budget crisis came to City Council Thursday, hoping those lawmakers would boost the size of the city's bailout. The parents left disappointed.
After months of debate, Council president Darrell Clarke says he's proud of the final version of the Actual Value Initiative that Council has approved.
"We have done our part, exceeding the request," Council president Darrell Clarke said Tuesday in City Council chambers, "and we will conclude our budget process this Thursday."
The hearing featured experts speaking on the educational systems in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Finland and elsewhere.
"This is very rough and very hard to be here this morning," said Wayne Walker-Lipscomb as she spoke to councilmembers at the start of the latest hearing on the failings of the parole system.
The vote was unanimous for the new cigarette tax, which would take effect next January and bring an estimated $45 million to city schools. State approval is required.
City Council members on Wednesday are expected to give initial approval to the operating budget, and they've already approved a new cigarette tax. But they appear unlikely to move on a proposal to hike the liquor-by-the-drink tax from ten to fifteen percent.
Philadelphia City Council is launching its own probe of last week's fatal center city building collapse, though its review will focus on the broad issues of regulations and licensing governing demolitions.
The Philadelphia City Council says it plans to form an investigative committee to review city regulations and procedures in the wake of a deadly building collapse.
The mayor's announcement amounted to a tacit acknowledgement that, until now, just about anyone could get a permit to carry out a demolition.
Expect a City Council hearing this fall on the aftermath of the collapse, according to Curtis Jones, chairman of Council's public safety committee.
Philadelphia's controversial new property tax system is now a step closer to reality, following a preliminary vote Wednesday in City Council.
With a new cigarette tax and pressure for other revenue the president of Philadelphia's city council is still hoping to keep the schools intact.
But whether the new tax ever gets final approval remains unclear.
