Image credit: Philadelphia Daily News editorial cartoonist Signe Wilkinson

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will present his budget proposal to city council this morning at 11 a.m.  (he began his speech early at 10:43 a.m.) This is no ordinary spending plan. He will be calling for higher property and sales taxes and suggesting major cuts to some city departments.

The mayor’s speech can be viewed live on the city’s cable outlet Channel 64, on the city’s website, and the Philadelphia Daily News reporters will be live blogging on their Clout blog.

The DN’s Catherine Lucey had a great quote from the mayor when she asked if he expected any members of city council will oppose parts of his budget for personal political gain. Here’s his tongue-in-cheek response.

“I just cannot imagine any responsible public official in a time of great challenge and crisis, that anyone would use these moments where Philadelphians are in pain, Philadelphians want service, Philadelphians deserve high quality representation. I cannot imagine, I would be astounded, I would be stunned, I would be just perplexed that anyone would use this moment of great challenge to use it as a moment of political opportunity.”

After the mayor delivers his budget, all eyes will be on city council, as they pick apart his budget and propose changes.  A budget that the mayor will have to sign off on will have to be in place before the next fiscal year begins on July 1.

Related links:

Phila DN story on today’s budget speech

Phila Inquirer story on today’s budget speech

Mayor’s budget website where his budget will be posted sometime after the speech