The poll of 650 Philadelphia voters says 61% would be willing to a higher wage tax if it meant no city cutbacks. According to the Young Philadelphia Politics poll, conducted by Research 2000, the city’s wage tax is scheduled to be reduced from 4.1% to 3.9%.

The reduction in revenue to city estimated to be around $95 million dollars. The city currently needs to cut $108 million dollars between now and June 30th. So when asked if they’d be willing to continue paying at the 4.1% the majority said yes.

Now the one problem is that the wage tax reductions are mandated under state law, where a portion of casino revenues are to go for property tax reduction throughout Pennsylvania except in Philly where its share is to lower the local income tax. Ray Murphy a co-editor of YPP says, it’s his understanding that city could vote to let the tax rate drop and then vote to raise it.

Last night at the town hall meeting in Kensington, there were two people out of the some 80 people who spoke that expressed this exact sentiment. They said why not raise taxes. There were a few boos but mostly silence. What about you would you be willing to keep the wage tax at a higher rate if it meant keeping the libraries, swimming pools and fire companies operating?