PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney presented his newest budget proposal as both restorative and transformative during his address to the City Council on Thursday.
"As surreal as it is to be joining you virtually and not in council chambers, I am pleased to present our sixth proposed Five Year Financial Plan," Kenney said to begin his address, which you can watch below.
The mayor’s appearance on video underscored the chief concern of his budget, the still-unrealized struggle to return to normal from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In hundreds of pages of numbers, prose and charts, the operating budget, capital program and Five Year Plan serve as blueprints for the city’s re-opening in the wake of the pandemic," said Kenney.
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With the help of federal aid, the budget restores city services, adds programs to aid business re-opening and address ongoing pandemic needs.
At each step, the mayor said he also seeks to respond to the calls for racial justice that marked 2020.
"I think we can agree that it’s not enough to simply recover," Kenney shared. "We need to rebuild equitably while ensuring growth that benefits all."
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Council members praised the address, though made it clear they intend to put their own imprint on the budget.
Councilmember Derek Green said it should be bolder, councilmember Allan Domb called for even deeper tax cuts, and Council President Darrell Clarke said he’d like to see more emphasis on employment.
"We need to be in a position to provide jobs, job training, job preparation," Clarke implored.
Clarke said he expects lively budget hearings.