Council moves toward property tax hike
“Last time we were hoping to find other options and that’s why we rejected the real estate tax idea, I believe there are less options this time.”
A Philadelphia City Councilman will officially announce his plan to raise the real estate tax Thursday. Several Council members are now embracing a tax hike they rejected a year ago. [audio: 100324TMTAX.mp3]
Councilman Frank DiCicco’s plan would be to raise the real estate tax by 12 percent and scratch Mayor Nutter’s proposed trash collection fee. He says its fairer than a flat trash fee and is tax deductable in some cases.
DiCicco: “I think reality has set in we are in worse shape this year than we were last year. To do a trash fee is to do a tax.”
Councilman Bill Greenlee is one of those councilmembers listening to DiCicco. He says the options to balance the budget are few.
Greenlee: “we’re not going to the state this time. Last time we were hoping to find other options and that’s why we rejected the real estate tax idea, I believe there are less options this time.”
Councilman Frank Rizzo is against any tax or revenue enhancement.
Rizzo: “I want to see a lot more done to run this place a lot better and I think the mayor is going to make some proposals.”
Council is expected to enact a tax and spending package by the end of May.
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