Squilla wants to give control of 10 percent budget to Philadelphia City Council

A Philadelphia City Councilman wants to give council direct control over a slice of the city budget. He’s proposing changing the city charter to do it.

Councilman Mark Squilla says the thought came to him after losing a battle to add a surcharge to parking tickets. He wanted to use the money for parks and better enforcement of taxi and limo laws.

The Nutter administration told Squilla it would need a charter change to move money around.

“So that’s what we’re trying to do here to change it and give us the ability to do it and put some pressure on the councilmembers who happen to represent the districts,” said Squilla.

If approved by voters, the move would put over $300 million a year, 10 percent of Philadelphia’s budget, in the control of City Council.

Squilla says he expects Mayor Nutter to veto the bill but thinks an override by Council is possible.

A spokesman for Nutter says he will review the legislation and comment if and when the idea gets a hearing.