Nutter proposes status quo budget hoping state won’t force his hand

Mayor Michael Nutter has officially presented his budget to Philadelphia City Council. 

Mayor’s Chief of Staff Clay Armbrister says the spending plan is designed to maintain programs with a few targeted increases.

“In trying to maintain core services, it does not include any call for tax increases, makes some modest but important investments,” Armbrister said.

The investments include among other things, a new police class, a $4 million dedicated fund for snow removal and $2.6 million more for fire department overtime.

Budget Director Rebecca Rhynhardt says the spending blueprint could be in trouble if there are any cuts in state or federal aid.

“The threats that will come from the state and federal government and their own budget issues,” Rhynhardt said.  “So the good news is our tax revenues have stabilized we’re projecting modest growth modest growth going out in the five year plan, but there are some significant risks going out in the future.”

The budget does not include raises for city employees other than those mandated by union contracts. Blue and white collar workers are working without a contract and haven’t had a raise since July of 2007.

Click here to read the mayor’s full budget address.