May 29, 2010

We're Tired of Tightening Our Belts

No More Service Cuts

By Stan Shapiro

Mayor Nutter has announced a series of budget cuts, to take effect July 1, unless City Council agrees to raise additional revenue, which at this point is highly unlikely. Among many other things, the Mayor plans to reduce library service from 5 days to 4 days a week, following a cut in service last year from 6 days to 5 days a week. This new cut flies in the face of the Mayor’s pledge early this year that library service would not be further reduced in next year's budget.

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Time to Rally

The Coalition to Save the Libraries is organizing an Emergency Rally to protest the cuts on Thursday, June 3 at 9:15 AM outside City Council chambers, Room 400, City Hall. The event will finish with a march to the second floor and a rally in front of the Mayor's Office.

To date, our Speakers include Bill Gault, President, Firefighters Union Local 22, Michael Harris, Director of Field Operations, Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network, and a representative from the Coalition To Save the Libraries.

If you think it's time for someone else, not the regular people of Philadelphia, to tighten their belts, please join this rally.

The Cuts are Unconscionable

Below is the complete list of budget cuts that the Mayor announced on May 20.

The cuts to existing services (295 positions and $15.6 million) are:

-- Two new police classes in 2010-2011. $4.5 million

-- Two fire companies, 40 positions. $3.56 million.

-- Branch libraries down to four days a week. $2.5 million.

-- Licenses and inspections budget reduced by $661,000, affecting demolitions.

-- $1.7 million to managing director's office, reducing youth violence prevention efforts, Town Watch integrated services, and the CLIP program.

-- Division of Technology, $1.2 million.

-- Office of Supportive Housing (homelessness) $500,000.

-- Fleet Management, $390,000.

-- Philadelphia Cultural Fund, $240,000.

-- Inspector General's Office, $100,000.

New programs eliminated ($4.5 million, 44 positions):

-- $1.5 million for improvement to current services.

-- Parks and Recreation Tree planting, $2.5 million.

-- Maintenance Assessment Team in Department of Public Property, $300,000.

-- Long Range planning team in Planning Commission eliminated.

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