DROP almost killed career of Philadelphia councilman who opposes it

Participation in the retirement incentive plan DROP lead to many retirements and even one defeat on Philadelphia City Council. But one member who opposes the plan blames his narrow victory on DROP. 

“I got the both bad ends of DROP,” said City Councilman Jim Kenney.

Four years ago Kenney received the most votes for City Council at Large and just barely scraped by this time. He said opponents and supporters of DROP voted against him.

“I got the anger in the general public about council’s inaction on DROP and the 25 percent who voted for Milton Street, mostly city workers who are angry about my position in eliminating DROP,” Kenney said.

Kenney said losing the Fraternal Order of Police’s endorsement as well as nods from other city unions cut into his votes.

“I don’t get the FOP’s endorsement I lost 33’s endorsement, I didn’t get 47’s endorsement,” he said. “I got the firefighter’s endorsement because my father’s an ex-firefighter, they can’t go so far as not endorsing me.”

Kenney said even if he didn’t win in the primary, he would still be against the early retirement incentive program.