Posted on 08/20/2009 3:47:51 AM PDT by SkyPilot
Philadelphia's court system will face a "virtual shutdown" if the cash-strapped city does not get state approval for a sales tax increase and changes to how it makes its pension payments.
That's according to Mayor Michael Nutter and court officials at a news conference Wednesday.
Philadelphia is facing a $1.4 billion five-year budget deficit.
The city has asked the state to approve a temporary sales tax increase in Philadelphia and allow changes to how the city makes its pension payments.
Without those changes, Nutter says nearly 1,000 police officers and 200 firefighters would be cut.
District Attorney Lynne Abraham says her office and others would face devastating cuts, too.
In Harrisburg, a state legislative leader says he hopes to have a bill ready for a vote next week.
"If you don't get your tax increase, shut down something that will make a big splash in the media."
Everyone knows the biggest tic on the body sucking the life blood out of many states is the union controlled "education" fund, teacher's pensions and salaries.
They can't and won't touch that third rail, so expect police and firefighters to absorb the blows, as well libraries and other crappola that looks good on the news when widdle kids weep on camera.
Nothing but a power play. Try shutting down City Hall instead of the courts and nobody will care. Try laying off some bureaucrats instead of cops and fireman and nobody will care. Hmmm.
Good,shut down the city and sell the assets.Nothing but a leech on society.I bet no one would even notice except their taxes would be cheaper.
A sales tax hike? To what, 8%? The last time I checked, Penna. was 6%, Philadelphia was 7%, NJ was 6% and Delaware (an hour south of Philadelphia) was 0%.
I work in Philly and live in NJ, shop in Delaware.
These Socialist infested cities are infecting the rest of the country.
Nutter will find it is difficult to be on the backside of the laffer curve.
‘Virtual Shutdown’ Of Courts
You don’t shut down the courts you cut off welfare to the physically able.
But, the good news is that the Art Commision, Senior Citizen Rec Dept, Diversity Center and Welfare Divisions will all remain open and funded.
You are so right! A couple of months ago I had to call City Hall to be connected to the Prothonotary’s office; so, the first time, I got disconnected, the second time, the operator gave me the phone number to the office. That was new...talk about duplication of services...so now City Hall has patronage jobs for more telephone operators to look up phone numbers and instead of being connected, the taxpayer has to redial. We can cut the do nothing but damage City Council to part time and still be none worse for the wear.
Kwame Glock, leader of the Philadelphia Thugs and Killers Union, I.A.W. 5389 told the Mayor that his criminals would not stop killing and robbing simply because the courts are closed. “We intend to stage more home invasions, stick-ups, murders and bank robberies just to make sure our membership are not affected by this closure!”
Who cares? go to hell, nutter!
If Philly were to die, would anybody notice?
“Philadelphia is facing a $1.4 billion five-year budget deficit.”
I bet if I looked REALLY hard, I could find where they are spending money on stupid crap.
I-they-really-wanted-to-keep-the-courts-open-they-could-find-something-else-to-close-and-why-should-rest-of-the-state-care-since-we-are-staying-out-of-Philly-anyway ping.
Oh we'll be laughing all right... when this epic fails. Back when I lived in West Chester and KOP I'd always get a laugh out of the ads on TV that promoted shopping in Center City. All I could think is, why on earth would I want to do that? Parking is expensive, parking tickets are even more expensive, and the sales tax is higher. Why bother?
Hopefully Tony Luke's at Front and Oregon won't be too negatively impacted by this lunacy.
May I Have Another Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie?
Philly mom,
I am planning a PA visit for a week in October and if you could e-mail me I would appreciate it. Just looking for tourist tips.
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