City Council overrides Philly Mayor’s cost controls for parades and festivals

Philadelphia City Council has overridden a veto by Mayor Michael Nutter that will control costs charged to parades and festivals. But the battle over the issue still isn’t over.

Philadelphia City Council has overridden a veto by Mayor Michael Nutter that will control costs charged to parades and festivals. But the battle over the issue still isn’t over.

The bill mandates the city cannot charge for the use of police for parade security and traffic coverage. Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez says she went for the override over fears that nearly five dozen parades and festivals were in danger of not happening.

Quinones-Sanchez:
I believe that bringing thousands of people, whether it’s to a parade or a neighborhood festival, generates ultimately whatever expense the city or investment the city makes in the cost.

Mayor Michael Nutter is disappointed about the veto override, but says there is room for compromise.

Nutter:
We love having these events here in the city but we have to cover the costs of these events.

Quinones-Sanchez agrees with the mayor, saying organizers want to pay for some costs, but not everything at an inflated rate as she asserts has happened over the past few years.