Philadelphia’s DROP lives on into the New Year

The controversial DROP early retirement program for city employees in Philadelphia will survive into the new year.  City Council has recessed for the holidays without making any moves on the program.

Mayor Michael Nutter says the Deferred Retirement Option Program, or DRO,P is too expensive and must be eliminated.  Council members have yet to receive a report on DROP from the consultant they hired.  Council President Anna Verna says she wants a second opinion on the Mayor’s analysis.

“It was very disappointing to all of us because I had hoped by this time we would have resolved this issue,” said Verna.

Councilman Bill Green says his vote depends on how much DROP is really costing Philadelphia.

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“We want to act with full information as soon as the professors and the administration agree on what it actually is on what their results are,” said Green.

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell hopes for a compromise.

“Maybe there is a way to make this whole thing better,” Blackwell said.

Hearings on DROP could begin with the new year.

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