Philadelphia officials ask for budget relief

After announcing another $20 million dollars in cuts this week, Philadelphia officials will be making their case for budget relief in Harrisburg Today. The Senate Finance Committee will take up the bill that allows the city to increase its sales tax by 1¢, and delay payments into the pension fund. The city's current budget depends on revenue gains from both measures.

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Mayor Michael Nutter says he's made 7 trips to Harrisburg and spoken to about 150 state lawmakers. And it looks like his efforts will get him what he wants, just maybe, not as quickly as he wants.

City Finance Director Rob Dubow plans to ask the Senate Finance Committee to pass the legislation quickly, without amendments. But Senate Republicans say they want to amend the bill by expanding it to include statewide pension reform.

Republican State Senator Patrick Browne chairs the Finance Committee.

Browne: What we're looking to is to address Philadelphia's concerns as part of an overall reform package that will insure more fiscal sustainability in the future once economy picks up and local governments have the ability to meet their pension obligations.

Browne says the legislation could be sent back to the House next week.