The Public Record • June 5, 2014
Page 16
Heard on the Hill / in City Hall
Budgeteers Face Dwindling Returns; Lawmakers Foresee A Hard Slog State and City revenue collections have been less than anticipated this year. Reviewing each line in the budget, House budgeteers are looking at expenditures which can be reduced and changes to tax credits which may no longer be affordable, as well as considering responsible revenue sources, such as fully privatizing the adult beverage industry. The same holds true for City Council members which see a major gap in public-school funding. Both bodies are exploring ways to raise income, wary of a negative response in November from tax payers. Look for additional fees and renewals to be one sure bet. Sen. Washington Outlines Priorities, Expectations
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As the state legislature prepares to vote this month on the FY 2014-2015 budget, State Sen. LeAnna M. Washington (D-Northwest) said she expects an unusually long and complicated budget process made even more difficult by a billion-plus-dollar revenue deficit. She expressed hope such a severe shortfall would bring additional revenue options to the negotiation table. “In my 20 years in the legislature, I have seen some difficult budgets,” Washington
said. “This Governor seems eager to ensure this year’s process will be among the worst. However, I remain committed to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to fully fund our public-education system, foster job creation, support our social resources, and find responsible and fair revenue streams.” Councilman Oh Amendment May Release $74 Million
City Councilman at Large David Oh is proposing an amendment to the City’s operating budget of $74,160,136. For the second year in a row, Councilman Oh has analyzed the Mayor’s proposed budget to find patterns where money was allocated in excess of the needs of various departments. “Last year, my staff and I found $48 million that I proposed could be used to offset the millage rate of real-estate taxes,” said Councilman Oh. “This year we were able to go through a similar analysis to find $74 million that could be used for other things such infusing the school district with much needed funding.” The amendment to the operating budget will be offered during the Committee of the Whole as Council deliberates the passage of next year’s budget.
Goode Living Wage Bill Should Pass
City Councilman at Large W. Wilson Goode, Jr., as part of a supermajority of City Council, has introduced a New Living Wage Standard Bill permanently raising the city’s minimum-wage standard. The employers that shall comply with the minimum compensation standards established by the proposed ordinance are: (1) The City of Philadelphia, including all its agencies, departments and offices; (2) Forprofit Service Contractors, which receive or are subcontractors at any tier on contract(s) for $10,000 or more from the City in a 12-month period, with annual gross receipts of more than $1,000,000; (3) Non-profit Service Contractors which receive or are subcontractors at any tier on contract(s) from the City of more than $100,000 in a 12-month period; (4) Recipients of City leases, concessions, or franchises, or subcontractors or subrecipients thereof at any tier; (5) City financial-aid recipients. Compliance shall be required for a period of five years following receipt of aid; and (6) Public agencies which receive contract(s) for $10,000 or more from the City in a 12month period.
At P.R. Veterans Monument
PAYING homage at Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge Memorial Day Service Puerto Rico Monument at American Legion Latin-American Post 840 & Unit 840 Medal of Honor Grove were Rev. Luis Cortes, Commander Jose M. Melendez, State Sen. Michael J. Stack and Rev. Dr. Emilio Marrero.
Mayor Michael A. Nutter has already signed an Executive Order initiating requirements for city contracts that mandates that city contractors provide a minimum wage of $12/hour beginning Jan. 1, 2015. The Executive Order also requires that contractors meet that same minimum wage standard for their first-tier subcontractors for the first time in city history. Councilman Goode’s bill would codify the executive order into law, but it would more broadly apply the standard to subcontractors and subrecipients at any tier. Sen. Williams Plans Marijuana Forum
With the Pennsylvania General Assembly moving forward on legislation to legalize medical cannabis, State Sen. Anthony H. Williams (DW. Phila.) will hold a forum next month, in partnership with the University of Penn-
sylvania School of Law, to discuss the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana in the Commonwealth. The forum will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jun. 14, in the Fitts Auditorium, 3501 Sansom Street, on Penn Law’s campus. Williams said the wideranging discussion that is expected during the forum will include dialogue about how potential revenue from a tax on legal marijuana would help Pennsylvania increase its investments in education and impact the state’s pension problem, plus other potential uses of that new revenue. “My forum promises to be an interesting, informative and inspirational inaugural step into a controversial subject,” the Senator said. “I know there is more than one side to this story, which is why this conversation will be all-en-
compassing and include voices of opposition, messages of support, and questions of possibility. Sen. Farnese Suggests You Get 511PA App
State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.) is urging constitutes to get a free 511PA App, available for Apple and Android users, that is hands and eyes free! It covers 40,000 miles of state roads and some of New Jersey and West Virginia. The app announces traffic jams and other travel notifications so you can keep your eyes on the road. Many of the state roads and bridges will be under construction because of the transportation funding bill passed last year. This app will help you plan your trips ahead of time. You can also get weather updates, traffic speeds and there is a link to other travel resources.
Spat Over Camera Roils Commission Meeting Long-simmering disputes on Philadelphia City Commission boiled over when Commission Chair Anthony Clark and Vice Chair Al Schmidt voted a camerawoman, purportedly brought to their meeting by the third Commissioner, Stephanie Singer, should not be allowed to videotape testimony by witnesses at a public hearing. Singer has pushed to videotape these meetings as part of her drive for greater transparency in proceedings of City Commission, which administers voting in Philadelphia. However, several witnesses who were there to testify regarding voting challenges and other irregularities as a result of the May 20 primary election objected to being videotaped. Both Schmidt and Clark then passed
the resolution to accommodate them by not allowing videotaping. Singer refused, however. When Acting Voter Registration Administrator Greg Irving began to approach the videographer who had the camera, Schmidt said, “We have no right to remove it.” The camera was not touched or turned off or obstructed, Schmidt reported. Singer called for police protection. Police did arrive but left after surveying the situation and the camerawoman remained at the hearing. Portions of the video are posted on her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/p a g e s / S t e p h a n i e Singer/170204729690127). Singer argued afterward there were no grounds to forbid the taping. “Video record-
ing is permitted if done unobtrusively and in a manner that is not disruptive,” she wrote. “While the Commissioners may specify the location from which the videotape is taken, it is illegal for the Commissioners to bar video recording.” Singer has sharply criticized earlier online coverage by the Public Record of the hearing. The camera was never in her control, she asserted. But it was noted in testimony the camerawoman was a friend of Singer. Several other persons at the hearing called to keep the camera rolling, Singer pointed out. Observers note Singer has cultivated a following in the city’s progressive community who are inclined to follow her lead.