Nutter administration makes its case for real estate tax hike

Philadelphia City Council is starting to talk about taxes to help fund the city schools. 

Mayor Michael Nutter’s proposal for a real estate tax hike to generate another $100 million a year is the only plan that works given the current fiscal situation, Finance Director Rob Dubow told Council members Thursday.

“We’re saying that’s the amount [Schools Superintendent William Hite] requested,” he said. “That’s the amount that helps solve the district’s projected fiscal year 2016 deficit, which is about $85 million and provides money to provide for investments that the superintendent laid out in his action plan.”

The district budget depends on passage of a state funding proposal by Gov. Tom Wolf. 

Council President Darrell Clarke asked Dubow what would happen if the Republican-controlled Legislature in Harrisburg blocks Wolf’s plan.

“I believe they will have a back and forth up there and come up with a number,” he said. “What that number will be, I don’t know.”

Hite and other school district officials will appear before City Council Tuesday to present the district’s funding needs.