I hadn’t even realized that this contest was happening, but apparently Staples and the Philadelphia Eagles were encouraging people to vote for their favorite recreation centers.  The winner, Cohocksink Recreation Center in Port Richmond, got $25,000 for getting the most votes in this online poll.  Nice work by the Porters! (or are they the Richmonders?)

Alas, my own neighborhood park, Capitolo missed out on the top prize but still came away with the $10,000 second place award.  Apparently, I should being attention to my civic association’s blog a little more closely.  Third place finisher Mill Road Park in Berwyn had its own GOTV operation and scored 5 grand.  (Unfortunately, Philly didn’t take all three of the top prizes.  With the budget like it is, these rec centers can use all of the spare change they can get.  Perhaps Staples can give away one of those fancy “Easy Buttons” to Mayor Nutter.  Ok, that’s the end of my glorified Staples commercial.)

Speaking of the budget woes, Young Philly Politics sponsored a poll of Philadelphians asking them what they would be willing to do to close the budget gap.  Surprisingly, 61 percent of the city’s residents apparently would be willing to delay the wage tax cuts that are scheduled to come as a result of casino revenue to save many of the services on the chopping block.  Another 23 percent would use some of the money for smaller wage tax cuts and save some services.  Philebrity apparently agrees with those Philadelphians.

I suppose it’s worth playing devil’s advocate to point out the argument made by those in favor of tax cuts that tax revenue has continued to increase even as tax rates have come down ever since the cuts in wage and business taxes began.  Population loss has also slowed down somewhat.  And, at least anecdotally and somewhat statistically, the population has increased in areas of the city that are home to wealthier, older, professional and empty nester residents who don’t need many of the services that are being cut but who do pay taxes to support them.  Isn’t there a risk that raising these taxes would cause the more well off folks to vote with their feet taking away the source of revenue that ultimately funds the services - libraries, rec centers and pools - used by children and working class folks?

Just sayin’.  I’m here for the long haul either way.

As one commenter to YPP counters, the amounts we’re talking about, per taxpayer, are actually quite small.  But there could be a risk in sending the message to potential residents and businesses that the city can’t be trusted to continue a legislatively scheduled set of tax cuts.  Perhaps the broken property tax structure is the way to go on this one.

I welcome comments.