PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council gave final approval to the budget for the next fiscal year in an expected move Thursday during its last session before recessing for the summer.
The $7 billion budget passed without the rideshare tax the mayor proposed to address the school district’s structural deficit. Instead, City Council shifted $50 million from the city budget to schools. Moments before the session began, 15 of 17 members signed a pledge that they would find a long-term solution for the district — either through new revenue or cuts to city programs to free up money for schools.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson said the priority was preventing staff cuts at schools.
“I call it Christmas in June for those workers not having to be laid off and they have the ability to go into next year knowing their positions are secure,” he said.
Mayor Cherelle Parker signed the bills almost immediately.
“I am proud that we will continue making good on our promises to you,” she said.
Council also passed dozens of other bills. They include zoning changes to help Mayor Parker’s HOME initiative for affordable housing, a referendum on making the Creative Philadelphia office permanent, a bill requiring that people alert neighbors in mutli-family housing before posting a unit for short-term rental and another that will make it easier to prosecute illegal dumping.
“The tally for this council session, very very productive — 319 resolutions and 126 bills,” said Johnson.
