Philadelphia may have later “last call” to help schools

Philadelphia City Council is back up and running.  Among the first bills introduced was one to keep bars open an extra hour.

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown says her proposal would allow bars to keep serving until 3 a.m. and earmark the extra tax money generated to help Philadelphia’s struggling school system.

“We speculate or predict that would generate an additional five million dollars, specifically for our school district,” said Reynolds Brown.  “I’m of the belief that we really need to look at unconventional ways for generating additional revenues for the Philadelphia Public School system.”

Northeast Philadelphia resident Sandra Stewart spoke out against the proposal during council’s public comment period.

“This bill if you do not allocate it specifically to the entertainment district you will wreak havoc not just in my district but in the family communities of Northeast Philadelphia where you do not need bars open until 3 a.m.” said Stewart.

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown says she could add restrictions so not all bars would qualify for the extra hour.