DA goes on the attack to defend budget

The prosecutor’s office has taken a major hit in the mayor’s proposed budget.

The budget battle between Philadelphia City Council and Mayor Nutter’s administration rages on. Today, officials discussed the budget for the District Attorney’s office, which has taken a major hit in the mayor’s proposed budget.
 
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[audio: 090505sbda.mp3]

Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham says the poor state of the economy and resulting city budget crunch have not affected all city departments equally. Abraham says her department, facing a 22 percent budget cut, has been unfairly singled out.

At the budget hearing, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison said federal stimulus dollars specifically earmarked for law enforcement could be used to plug the hole. Still, Abraham was skeptical.

Abraham: Don’t try to tell me, Mr. Gillison, that this is fair and you’re gonna look for money. If the city is short, you’re short. You’re not going to get it from supplanting federal dollars for new programs.

Council members have pledged to restore some of the DA’s funding and told Gillison they wanted more information about how the stimulus dollars could be spent.