March 14: Taxes and the 2013 budget | SEPTA fare hikes | Philly’s still growing | Newkirk Viaduct Monument moves | Boot and Saddle action

Good morning, Streeters. Here’s what’s making news on this blustery Thursday:

Taxes will be a focus Mayor Nutter’s budget address today. Nutter is expected to propose a property tax rate of 1.32%, a homestead exemption of $15,000, and $30 million in relief measures for low-income residents in gentrified neighborhoods, the Inquirer reports. The Daily News notes that no major departmental cuts are proposed, no new funding stream for the school system will be discussed, but  L&I and the Office of Property Assessment could receive more funding. Watch the address on channel 64 or online starting at 11am.

We’ll see if the Mayor mentions confronting tax delinquents in his address. A Daily News editorial suggests a knuckle sandwich.

Come July 1 expect to pay more to ride SEPTA, the Inquirer reports. For city transit riders, cash fare will increase from $2 to $2.25 (and up to $2.50 in 2014) and the value of a token will go up from $1.55 to $1.80; monthly Transpasses will increase from $83 to $92. Regional rail zones will shrink and fares will also go up. This is just the beginning of what promises to be waves of change tied to the rollout of New Payment Technology. Coming late this year: visible physical changes in stations (turnstiles, fare vending machines, customer attendants).

For the sixth year running Philadelphia has grown, the Inquirer reports. In 2012 the city added 9,040 people.

We’ve long wondered about how the Newkirk Viaduct Monument ended up on a forlorn incline in Kingsessing, overlooking the Northeast Corridor tracks next to the 49th Street Bridge. Hidden City Daily details the fascinating history and moves of this beautiful but forgotten obelisk, designed in the 1830s by Thomas U. Walter. And Brad Maule documents the monument in current photographs. (We’re lucky to have you back in Philly, BLove.)

Passyunk Post reports that demolition work is underway at the Boot and Saddle on South Broad. May the boot glow anew soon.

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest. Have a tip? Send it along.