More trash talk about PhillyStat budget meeting

Trash was a hot button issue for top city officials at a meeting last night. The Mayor and City Council discussed the citizen feedback they’ve received from community budget forums, a citizen survey, and “kitchen table” talks. WHYY’s Elizabeth Fiedler reports that City Councilmembers are divided over a proposal to charge residents fees for trash collection.

Trash was a hot button issue for top city officials at a meeting last night. The Mayor and City Council discussed the citizen feedback they’ve received from community budget forums, a citizen survey, and “kitchen table” talks. WHYY’s Elizabeth Fiedler reports that City Councilmembers are divided over a proposal to charge residents fees for trash collection.

Script:
The proposal would charge residents a fee for trash pickup as well as a charge for each bag of garbage. Many City Councilmembers said they’re hearing more from constituents about trash than other possible budget cuts. Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller said charging for trash collection should go hand in hand with spreading the word about recycling.

Miller: “People may say well you know maybe if I recycle I don’t have to pay to have my trash picked up.”

But Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez had a very different response to the idea of charging Philadelphians to get rid of their garbage.

Quinones-Sanchez: “Not gonna happen. It’s a regressive fee and I don’t think we’ve done everything we possibly can to reduce our litter, encourage recycling therefore decreasing our landfill costs which will get us to the same end result.”

The Mayor will present his budget to City Council on March 19.

Listen:
Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090305stat.mp3]