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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Council Tempers Flare Again Over Budget Cuts

City Council, still wrestling with proposed budget cuts, battled it out again in this morning's caucus session, with harsh words fired across the big round table where they all sit.  At issue were two resolutions, circulated but then not submitted, that called for a study of proposed equipment elimination in the Fire Department and a delay in closing library branches.

Councilman Frank Rizzo got a little heated, complaining that Mayor Nutter's staff had not provided him with requested information about the budget cuts.  He took issue with comments made by Councilmen Jim Kenney and Frank DiCicco, who were sitting next to him. "It doesn't matter what we do," Kenney said, It doesn't matter how many resolutions we pass. It doesn't matter how many letters we write. For what? So you can stand on a grandstand and say: Look at me?"

"Grandstanding?" Rizzo asked, countering that that DiCicco's resolution to study Fire Department cuts, paid for with Council budget money, was grandstanding.

Councilman Curtis Jones, who had circulated the resolution calling for a delay in the library branch closings said he would hold off on submitting it in hopes of getting more information from Nutter.  Councilman Bill Green, who has sided with Rizzo in complaining about the lack of information, noted Council has the power to subpoena information and testimony.  "If they won't give it to us, we will demand it," said Green.
Posted by Chris Brennan @ 1:58 PM  Permalink | File Under: City Council | | City Council | 3 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:12 PM, 11/20/2008
    I have to agree with Green and Rizzo that information has to be not only circulated broadly within City Council at their request, but also to the public. We are supposed to inform our representatives. What is it about that process of info from the public going to the top that people are confused about? This is not the Nutter I voted for, where proceedings are closed, and information is over-guarded. Put it out there. Take the hit if you believe in what you are doing. What are they hiding?
    — CleanupPhilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:17 PM, 11/20/2008
    Nutter opposed the Philly's strong mayor model of governance, until he becomes mayor. Now he's exploiting it. I'd hoped for better. Citizens looking for info themselves uncover shocking evidence of mismanagement. We're cutting libraries, but not collecting $568 million, HALF A BILLION in potential revenue, unpaid property taxes. You've absolutely got to be kidding that any requested info is too much to ask. Nutter stated that this process needed sunshine, and he's still right. It's not right that some property owners are just allowed to not pay for years and years, but kids in Fishtown lose a library. No. Not. People have a right to inform this debate and hold pols accountable. Here's the city's OWN numbers showing how badly the city is run: http://www.hallwatch.org/proptax/about/redelinq/stats/summary
    — CleanupPhilly
  • Comment removed.


3 comments
About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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