Mayor Nutter hopes to raise city sales tax

Nutter wants lawmakers to act on the Philadelphia legislation before they resolve the state budget, which is at an impasse.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter wants Harrisburg lawmakers to let the city raise its sales tax to balance the city budget. Nutter wants lawmakers to act on the Philadelphia legislation before they resolve the state budget, which is at an impasse.

Listen:
[audio: 090804spbudget.mp3]

If Harrisburg does not act on Philadelphia’s request by the end of next week, it could mean massive layoffs and service cuts for the city. But state Senate leader, Republican Dominic Pileggi says the city has to wait until the state budget is resolved.

Pileggi: Its clear that this is something that is now very difficult to separate from the state budget. We do have an obligation to resolve the state budget first.

Nutter is now trying to convince lawmakers that the two issues ARE separate. But St. Joseph’s University political science professor Randall Miller says that could be difficult.

Miller: Because all the cards are being held by people in Harrisburg and their interests is not the same as Philadelphia’s, or Pittsburgh, or Scranton and want some kind of relief whether its help with the pension or whatever else it is.

State lawmakers continue to wrangle over the budget, with Republicans holding the line on opposing tax increases.