Group 11- Pinn Memorial Baptist Church
Moderators: Kayte Connelly, Loretta Raider
Total points: 61

Group Description:
The group was initially comprised of 21, with one more woman than men. There were a few folks sitting on the perimeter of the circle, joining later, but actively participating in all of the voting efforts and discussions.
Overall, this group had a solid base of Gen X-ers, being between the age of mid 20’s - 40, with the balance being seniors and Gen Y’s. We believe that the group was comprised of 7 Caucasians and 14 people of color.
One senior African American gentleman was using a lung machine to assist him. He wore a t-shirt indicating he had been in the Armed Forces. Many neighborhoods were represented. Some participants had language accents. One participant waited until the very end to find her voice and speak up passionately about recreation.

. The discussions were lively and participants listened respectfully to one another. We closed the budget gap with a total of 61 points.

LOW HANGING FRUIT Total Points: 29
• # 20 Eagles - Unanimous vote (21) 4 points
o No discussion other than they should pay.
• #3 DROP - 18 votes 4 points
o Early pension. Some City Council members are retiring and coming back to work the next day.
o Only elected officials have abused this system in this way. It wasn’t meant to be for ANY City elected officials. It was intended for City employees.
o The City reps clarified that currently, a new study is being conducted. The figures being tossed about are from a 2002 study.
o The original rationale was for a workforce succession plan. As soon as a worker announces their retirement date, someone is supposed to be hired to train with them. Upon retirement, their pension payment is given in a lump sum. Upon their announcement, the individual stops paying into their account. They are permitted to come back to work as a contracted worker with no benefits.
o It is being abused; it was intended to train people. No new workers are being hired.
• #21 Parking - 16 votes 2 points
o Increase it by 25%
o If we want to get people into the city, some won’t come if the parking fees are raised.
o The City may lose some revenue if people don’t come into the City from the suburbs for events.
• # 9 Law - 15 votes 2 points
o This is for the City solicitors; not public defenders.
o There has been significant conversation tonight about the fact that several choices demand a change in state law. If we need to make these legal changes, we’ll need the City solicitors.
o Some of the existing expenditures are for “expert” lawyers who are specialized. These are contracted, temporary positions.
o How many are on staff? City Reps indicated 200.
• #25b Resident Wage Tax - 19 votes 12 points
o Someone with a $50,000 salary would pay an additional $50.
o This tax has been historically high. It has been cut before when no longer needed. This could be a temporary measure. Right now it is needed.
o Raise it while we need it.
• #26b Commuter Wage Tax 5 points
o No conversation.

NO WAY NO HOW Total Points taken off the table:
• # 13 Public Health - unanimous 13 points
• #7 Housing - unanimous 7 points
• #8 Human Services - unanimous 19 points
• #6 Libraries - unanimous 6 points
• #14 Recreation - unanimous 2 points
o Children need a place to go. Many parents cannot afford child care. It provides a safe place for people to go and keeps children off the streets.
o Question - Haven’t the hours already been reduced?
SHARED PAIN Total Points: 32
• #15 Fleet - 11 votes 6 points
o Clarification was sought from the City reps pertaining to non-essential service cars which may include police cars. The 29 positions are technicians and others that are servicing older vehicles.
o “Let the city workers use SEPTA”
o In dire times people use their own vehicles or they use public transportation.
o The City should buy smaller, more efficient vehicles for those cars that are essential. (Not gas hogs that are left running, while the workers rush into the grocery or corner store to do their errands.)
o This cut is for SEDANS, not fire trucks or other service trucks. It will start with the oldest vehicles which will be cycled out of service.
o If the police are walking, are the politicians riding?
o This group would prefer that if there are cuts in this area, that the needed police cars and those that are essential for social services, essential, are not touched.
• #24 Sales Tax- 13 votes 6 points
o Pay for use as opposed to taking needed money away from Health and Human Services.
o This tax impacts poorest citizens.
o Philadelphia already has the highest tax in the nation.
o An increase may cause some people not to buy in the City.
o It is better to raise than reduce. The tax is “regressive.” It affects the peopled that need it the most.
o After this point was made, those proponents of the measures on the orange sheets that would reduce the pensions and the health care costs of the Unions that might demand additional legal action challenged our system again. A re-affirmation vote to include the orange sheet from the “Essentials” group would be noted.
o The conversation continued for clarification for one citizen, in particular, who repeatedly referred to outside sources for her facts. The information was not confirmed our city officials.
• #14 Streets - no record of votes 13 points
o Are there any incentives for recycling? Vote was taken with the understanding that there may be a $5 coupon, given to those who were recycling.
• #17 Amusement Tax 2
o Easy gain.
o Luxury movies are already high.
• # 22 Real Estate 5
o Only the first owner receives the abatement.
o Suggest a tax rebate for those on a fixed income.
• #26 b - Wage tax for commuters - 8 votes 5 points
ITEMS TAKEN OFF THE TABLE
• #2 Courts (LHF)- tabled; trying to understand what we were trying to do.
o Clarified the 20%; didn’t want to reduce the system
o Wanted the people behind the courts to collect the fees
• 12 Prisons (LHF) 20% cut garnered 5 votes; 10% cut, 6 votes
o Clarified that this would be non-violent offenders, many of whom could not post bail. If they don’t pay bail, how can they be released?
o It is cheaper for the prisoners to be released, than for us to pay for them in jail.
o There was concern over job training and re-entry programs. Many of those in jail have not received an education that will support them once they are back out. If people don’t have resources to be “in society” how can they survive?
o The Ex-offenders programs are very important.
o Would they stop incarcerating and would the prisons remain or become more crowded if we don’t use out-of-county services?
• #1 Administration (LHF) tabled 4 votes
o If we don’t want to cut it now, would it really affect the total number of points?
o The government should shut down for one day and be open for 4 days like other cities and states.
o More items should be reviewed across the board, for more administrative costs.
• # 18b Business Privilege Tax (LHF) tabled 8 votes
o The original proposal presented for us to vote on was raised to increase the tax to 5 mils for 10 points rather than 1 mil for 2 points.
o Businesses should pay for all of the services they receive. They owe the City for the privilege of working here.
o The 1 mil may look small BUT at some point, businesses are going to say “good-bye.” They will flee the City and go to the outside counties.
o But, business taxes have already been reduced. The City has already lost $1 billion in revenue, it can afford to reinstate those cuts and should to that.
o Conceivably, the City would have lost more businesses, if taxes weren’t reduced as they were.
o *****Second round. Creates a City to be more competitive. Failed to get enough votes.
• #11 Police (NWNH) tabled no record of votes
o Some police may not be needed like those guarding the Liberty Bell. (clarification received about the Parks Services.)
o Recommendation to consider later under Shared Pain

OTHER IDEAS:
o Since this was an open process, the orange sheet prepared by the group Essentials for Change was introduced by several citizens. The group voted to have those comments added to the fresh ideas. Both citizens indicated that these ideas had been shared on the Wailing Wall and in the videotaping room. Also acknowledged was the fact that many of these ideas, while good, would have to be modified by state law.
o No more tax abatements.
o Aggressively enforce the collection of fees, fines and taxes. Do your job first. Who is holding the City workers accountable for these collections?
o Cut the Human Relations Council. It does nothing.
o Cut the Veterans Department. It is filled with fat. No one does anything substantial there.