PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Patricia Wilson Aden of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance spent months trying to convince the city to spend more on the arts.
And her efforts did not go unnoticed.
Philadelphia City Council announced Thursday a $775 million surplus, approving $24 million in new spending on organizations like The Mann Center, African American Museum, Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Zoo.
They are also giving money to public safety projects and services for youth in the severely overcrowded Juvenile Justice Center.
The surplus was brought on by higher-than-expected revenue from business and wage taxes and the city departments’ underspending.
Much of last year’s allotment went to the District Attorney’s Office. This year, Oh moved to delay the spending bill because he is unhappy with how money for relocating crime victims is being spent.
“We are talking about vulnerable people who can’t go back home, who are being literally shot at,” Oh said.
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While Oh’s concerns were met by his colleagues, they did not second his motion to delay.
Council also passed a bill making a 10 p.m. curfew for minors, ages 13 and under, permanent.
The curfew would not apply to homeless youth or teens going to and from work.