Decisive week for Philadelphia
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Mayor Michael Nutter says it's a make or break week for the city of Philadelphia. Tuesday city officials in charge of Recreation, Public Safety, and other parts of the city detailed how the city's Doomsday Budget will hit residents.
The city says the steps are necessary because state lawmakers have yet to approve a sales tax hike and pension payment changes to help the city deal with its budget problems.
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Philadelphians will be told to return their library books, find somewhere else to send children after school, and only put out trash for pick-up twice a month. Mayor Michael Nutter:
Nutter: This week, this Thursday and this Friday will literally determine the future of the city of Philadelphia. And this is a fight for our city. We have literally done everything we possibly can to hold off these kinds of actions.
On Thursday State House lawmakers are expected to vote on the city aid legislation.
Without it, Mayor Nutter says the city would have to cut 3,000 jobs including hundreds of members of the police and fire departments. Layoff notices would be sent on September 18th, and would take effect October 2nd.