DROP participants will retire and return
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DROP participants will retire and return
Jan Ransom
City Councilwoman Marian Tasco will retire on Friday, collect a six-figure pension payment and then return to work after she is sworn-in on Monday to serve her seventh term.
Francis Bielli, executive director for the city’s Board of Pensions and Retirement, said he was recently notified that Tasco, who is enrolled in the controversial Deferred Retirement Option Plan, will retire on Friday and collect $478,057.
Tasco did not respond to requests for comment.
Tasco was reelected despite her participation in DROP, which drew public ire after elected officials entered the program, ran for re-election and retired for a day to get hefty pension payments, only to return to office.
Retiring Councilman Frank DiCicco, who is also in the program, considered running for re-election, but after controversy erupted over DROP, he decided not to. Retiring Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, who is also enrolled in DROP made a similar decision. Councilman Frank Rizzo lost reelection due in-part to his participation in DROP. Retiring members Jack Kelly and Council president Anna Verna are also DROP participants.
Some City Hall insiders said DROP was Tasco’s biggest roadblock in her unsuccessful bid for Council president –the second most politically powerful job in the city. Several incoming members said they would not support a DROP participant for president. Councilman Darrell Clarke will be Council’s next president replacing Verna.
Mayor Nutter has tried in vain to eliminate the DROP program. In September, Council voted to override Nutter’s veto of a bill, sponsored by Tasco that would preserve the DROP program, while reducing its cost.
Nutter has vowed to work “tirelessly” to abolish the program.
Another elected official set to return after collecting his DROP payment is Register of Wills Ronald Donatucci, who retired Dec. 23 and will also return on Monday, Bielli said. He collected $366,797.
Comments (294)
This is shocking. If you retire, you are retired. Can't the DROP payment be stopped on the theory that the retirement is completely fictional? There is no retirement if the person plans on returning to work the following work day. I simply do not understand this at all.— BarbaraM- It is shocking and disgraceful. Shame on her and shame on us for electing these brazen corrupt officials who take right in front of us in broad daylight. Marion Tasco? Anna Verna? Kelly? What good can they claim to have done for this city, when they are lining their pockets at a time when many of us are out of work with no retirement savings and with more and more cuts in city services? These are the people we keep electing. — yohahn
Comment removed.- Keep voting Democrat ! — hotelguy
- Remember Darlin' Arlen? - I'm changing my party so I can get RE-Elecchhted.... cut from the same cloth. — bad joe s
- If someone would organize a party to oppose the Dems in Philadelphia, maybe voters would have an alternative. The Reps in Philadelphia are content to have the spoils of the Parking Authority. They don't even bother to field decent candidates in municipal elections. — Charles B
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- @BarbarM, its called business. If you are not smart enough
to make sure that a deal is in your best interest, then
it is your fault for not doing your homework, and not being
responsible for your self. Retirement usually means that
after a certain age, and a certain number of years of
"service", you get certain annuity, or "equivalent" lump sum
payment. That's it. It doesn't restrict you on what
to do with your life and time, and if you want to
work somewhere, well, if it is not in the contract,
dumb contract, and too bad.— OldMrP - OldMrP, it's not business. It's something else--corrupt politicians. When city politicians negotiate employee pay and benefits with the unions who contribute to their reelection campaigns, nobody is representing the taxpayers. — Falls Ed
- criminals— Zero
- "criminals"____Absolutely not. Ms. Tasco, and many others, are merely following the legal guidelines of the DROP Program. While it may be infuriating to most people, including me, the people benefiting from DROP are not "criminals". In fact, given the opportunity most of the people submitting negative posts regarding this story would do exactly what Ms. Tasco is doing - they would be fools not to. Until the program is either reformed, or (preferably) dropped, these actions will continue.
— snad264 - Comment removed.
- Where there's a way there's a will...— He Visto Todo
- It's OK. She's a Democrat - she means well. She will be re-elected by the Philly robo-voters.— ObamaSolyndra
- Deadbeat!!!!!— quigly46
Seriously, how do you collect a pension for the same exact job/position that you are working in? This is ridiculous.— kjuggs77- the country is laughing at you Philly. are you voters crazy!!!— jstash
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- Last time I checked Frank Rizzo was a Republican and he took the drop money and ran again....It is not a party it is a GREED THING!!! — pyle70
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- @ just honest: You are being less than honest if you are so ignorant not to recognize that this whole DROP issue crosses party lines. You also fail to recognize the fact that since the repugs infiltrated the ranks of the Parking Authority, they have been stealing money hand over fist. When it comes to corruption, Rizzo junior will never beat his old man in that catagory, but he did take the money, run, and come back. And yes, the people in his district (WHITE PEOPLE) did vote for him! — lalaw9833
- Why I left Philadelphia and why I'll never return. The city is a corruption-ridden, performance -plagued place. The rest of the nation sees the city as a joke, despite the good that Mayor Nutter is trying to do.— patrick125
- For everyone here saying "this is why i left Philly"....I bet there is corruption in the little suburban township too. Politics are politics no matter where you live — Kcrul147
- Forget Parking Wars- I want a tv show about Philadelphia local politics.— kjuggs77
- Hey! I am in the DROP program too. I've got to work 'till I drop.— BillyBob369
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- Marian gets her just desserts, though- no Council Prez for you!— Tedyuscung
- The people who elect these criminals get what they deserve.— ej610
- She ran unopposed. She was in whether you voted for her or not. — KittyCarlyle
- the actions of these elected officials prove that DROP was not meant for them. the only reason they can come back to work after retiring is because they were elected to this new term. these people have no shame.— Marchus
- What kind of Mayor would allow this to continue on ? Keep laying off your teachers so pigs like this continue to abuse the system. This city is a joke. Greed Greed Greed— joepir
- What kind of Mayor would allow this to continue on ? Keep laying off your teachers so pigs like this continue to abuse the system. This city is a joke. Greed Greed Greed— joepir
- democrats, republican.. all the same..— USAFirst1
- District 9, demand that this corrupt, arrogant, and self-centered money-grabber leave office IMMEDIATELY! Unless you speak out these criminals will continue to drive your city into bankruptcy to appease their own agendas and bank accounts.— rychefan208
- brotherman1,republicans steal money all the time...— brotherman1
- Marcus and ej610 said it all.— Lil Bobby
- Philadelphia is doomed.— Bill E. Penn
- Disgusting!!— sueN
- You had to know this was going to happen. We in her district knew when she applied for the DROP and then the cow ran unopposed in the last election. We are stuck with her do nothing self for the next four years. Since Philly is a one party town not a darn thing is going to change. So either vote with your feet if you can or relax and take it with no grease.— KittyCarlyle
- for all the criticism everyone wants to throw at the city and the voters...all the DROP candidates who had opponents lost or "DROPped" out, and Tasco didn't become Council President almost entirely due to DROP. But sure, keep slandering the city, its easy, and you suburbanites hate working.— Northeaster
- Only 20% of the people in philadelphia who are eligible to vote voted. That's how lazy the people of philadelphia are. — gemini48
- You get the government you deserve. Philly voters blindly support the Democratic machine and their embracing of corruption, patronage, unions, fiscal stupidity and an endless entitlement attitude. This is just a snapshot of the larger picture which Philly voters have elected. Well done....if Philly voters are looking for a place to direct their anger, may I suggest the nearest mirror. It is there where the blame squarly lies.— kelprod2
- And yet the absent-minded Philadelphians continue to vote for these thieves. Yes, theft. A program that was meant for the working class people is ruined by those in power. Those in power then rally against the others in power. Hypocrites and Dem voters fall for it all the time.— keapitreal
- How long will the idiots in Philly keep reelecting these scumbags???— Pete H
- Drop was created for the working folk like the trashmen, not fo da politicians. Crooks and liars.— Rufus McKnight
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- Tasco proves that philly is a joke.— Tyrone Biggums
- C'mon....she's only getting a $400K gift from the city and continuing her $100K+ job.....you'ed think she was getting a free city car or something????— Bigbirch
- In Florida they do not let us drop, collect our money and come back.
If we collect the money we cannot return to that job for 2 years. And when you do return you get zero retirement, and start at the very bottom rung of the ladder again, with pay and everything. Its at least a little more fair than that scumbag in Philly! Wow!— phils4evr - Thats is exactly why I moved . Tasco got nerve .They are all crooks .I say DROP Them all from the Payrolls .The real truth is these career politicians could never make it in the real world!— chackster
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- She is lower than pond scum. She has to be dirty. Inky reporters should start investigating all these bozos for tax evasion, fraud, whatever. And on the same day they are laying off public school nurses.— joedog
- These people are criminals.— Edward L Norton
- What a joke that my comment wasn't allowed. Once more - dopes in this city were sleeping outside city hall for trivial matters, but would never consider doing something similar in regards to DROP.— ghost722
- The last water department commissioner was in DROP, retired, and returned to the same position at the behest of Mayor Nutter. I propose Tasco have council pass a bill that will give all city employees, including civil service, the right to return too at their own request.— gb
- Just think, two Tascos equals one Akerman.— Boru
- WILL SOMEONE TELL ME WHY WE NEED A 75 MILLION DOLLAR EXPENSE AKA THE CITY COUNCIL? THINK ABOUT THIS...WE HAVE A MAYOR WHO IS ELECTED TO OFFICE...HE OR SHE DECIDES WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CITY...YOUR TELLING ME THAT EVERY MAJOR CITY IN THE U.S.A. HAS A CITY COUNCIL? PAYS THESE PEOPLE, INSURE THESE PEOPLE, GIVES THEM A PENSION, SOMETIMES A CAR? ARE WE NUTS? ARE WE STUPID? THIS WHOLE CONCEPT IS ABSURD? THESE PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO ASSEMBLE! HOLD AN AUDIENCE! PASS LEGISLATION! DICTATE TO THE MAYOR!? AGAIN....THIS WHOLE NOTION OF A CITY COUNCIL IS UNFATHABLE! GET RID OF THEM! SERIOUSLY, LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC SAVINGS! IT IS HUGE! THERE WOULD BE NO DEFICIT! NO INCREASE OF TAXES TO SUPPORT THEM! THIS IS AN IDEA THAT IS LONG OVERDUE! LOSE THE CITY COUNCIL! IT IS ONE BIG ALBATROS THAT HAS BEEN CHOKING PHILADELPHIA FAR TOO LONG!— frank castle
- OK, Philly has DROP payments and judges need to spread walking around money to get elected. Can't somebody work up a scheme where the DROP money walks around by itself and empties some trash cans or something productive. Go Mike Nutter, stop the bleeding as best you can.— Jack Hughes
- Why is everyone getting so excited? We've known about this program for years. I remember a number of city council members who did this a few years ago. We're the voters, we're the ones who put these people in office. We are responsible for this. No one else.— palmer1619
All you democrats voted this low life in.— duh66- Disgraceful. This is an example of something Occupy should have protested. This is the powerful of the city taking advantage of loopholes they created. She should be ashamed.— jonline
- This really does make the governed of Philly look like losers that they are so powerless to stop such a public and ballsy "f**k you."— Wilton Cabbage
- @frank castle: Are you advocating giving a Mayor total authority? Our government is designed to prevent such a thing, which is why city council is needed, same as the with the federal government (the two houses)— realtor44
- What a pig!— Wildman Bill
- As long as the city taxpayers refuse to DROP Marian and Donatucci, these double-dippers and publicly-funded ilk that call themselves leaders will always water at the public well.— Anne Arkey
- Another day of democrats stealing from the middle class and the ignorant Philly voters continue of vote D— ignorantphillydem
- I can't believe we let these kind of payments happen. No public servant should be getting these kinds of bonus's or retirement perks. The amount is incredible. There should be someone who can stop this.— mbutley
- So glad I don't live in or around Philly anymore. Power corrupts.— Fritz and Alice
- Oink, oink. What do you expect?— PotteryPete
- @realtor44...The federal government is one thing, city run governments were designed with the mayor as the focal point. If you do a review, you'll find that over time, the mayor is in place to insure or insulate citizens that their city will be managed effectively via economics & public policy. Should change be needed, issues are placed on the ballot to be voted for or against. Referencing the management of the federal government...it is & has been evident by the recent struggles that have occured with the two houses that you mentioned. The bickering & filabustering and delays that have embarassed & humiliated our current President should be evidence that none of that should be present in our city government. The issues are more complex on a national level with complex positioning, debating,media coverage,etc. In the end managing a city government vs managing the federal government & also being the Commander In Chief of the armed forces speaks volumns for the need for the Senate,Congress and the House of Representatives.— frank castle
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- What about the idiots that voted her back into office. The people in her district need to be held accountable as well.— fozziebear
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Being on city Council is the same as being retired, they don't do squat, except waste other people's money.— Cardinal Fang- "Let them eat cake!" - Marian Tasco— Jean Valjean
- This is disgusting considering that this city has abused it's non-represented staff members by lowering their longevity pay, freezing all pay increases, and a host of other things. No one wants to report on how this group of city employees has been treated. We are losing money and these greedy pigs are continuing to take it, and laugh all the way to the bank. The sad part is that they are returning to make more bad decisions. The non-represented staff members will probably never see the money that has been taken from them over the past 4 years. This is a disgrace.— Nancy88
- This is nothing more than a legalized scam and the tax payers of Philadelphia are the victims. Of course, they brought this on themselves by electing and re-electing these crooks.— vinnybravo
- I would bet that most of the comment posters are multiple Rendell voters. Blame him he started this mess. Nobody will, he is like a god in this city. Rendell and his henchman David Cohen of Comcast are to blame for this. Then the voters of the city should take the rest of the blame.— ephraim
- Tasco looks like an old tired bulldog. How do these cruds sleep at night?— The Monk
- just another way to steal taxpayer money. The purpose of the drop was a plan by the city to steal money for themselves plane and simple.— krautmef1
- why do people continue to elect these clowns? Oh, that's right, they are brainwashed into thinking "gotta vote for Democrats, Republicans are evil."— discobiscuit
- Philadelphia - You keep re electing these "hacks". WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?— rugbyjt
- Taxadelphia, Pennsylvania or Bell, California - same difference. Scumbag politicos ripping off the brain dead taxpayers who keep re-electing the same scumbag politicos. Best thing we can do is vote for the other party every four years. It is the ONLY way to at least keep the thieves off balance.— The Monk
- Tasco is a thief pure and simple. The fact that city council used its own voting power to vote itself *double pay* should make it a criminal offense. It's appalling that there are no state or federal laws protecting tax payers from unscrupulous local officials.
Oh well, I live in South Jersey now. I love Philly but it's a mess!— nikki1231 - Come on Philadelphia, you cannot put the taxpayers throught this nonsense!— run2jazz2
- you gutless commentators, Occupy took action.
why aren't you?
on 1st day and every day of her "new term", everybody here to go city hall and block her from getting into "her" office; she's retired.— ald - Comment removed.
- An absolute disgrace that this is allowed to happen. These so-called politicians should be arrested for theft of public funds. This is what happens when you allow greedy politicians write laws strictly for personal gain.— kryc
- Is she Ackerman's twin sista?— Eagle
- Is she Ackerman's twin sista?— Eagle
- Philly is the Welfare State writ large. Does Philly make anything except out of wedlock "gangstas" anymore?— joedog
- Poor is relative to where one lives; and so is the attitude toward work. Philly's poor are being kept in bondage by these DROP folks and their noblesse' oblige policies. Look to India: "More than a warehouse for the poor, Dharavi, a Mumbai slum, contains a hive of workshops with an annual economic output of more than $600 million." If elected officials steal so brazenly; why would they ever want an active polity that trys work instead of government sops?— joedog
- STOP Government Greed!— MGuyW
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- da brothas and da sistas.— gypoe
- Federal racketeering laws RICO need to be enforced against this corrupt ruling class— Occupy reality
- Tasco is a theiven pig.— johduk
- the guy that want a new tv show on politics in philly is right...however it could be on every night of the week because the are so many crooks....maybe they should name it "The Democratic way 101"— frank1121
- Totally outrageous...nothing more to say.....OUTRAGEOUS......— scrollersam
- First, Tasco ran with no opposition. If she got any votes at all, she would have been elected. Second, DROP was instituted as a 'management' program to be used to smooth out the retirement/succession process. It was not set up as a benefit plan for ANY city employees. In industry, a program like this can be set up and removed at the will of management. The whole thing speaks to the 'entitlement' culture in the city.— JimR
- Ackerman and Tasco are greedy witches. I shall refrain from saying what I really think, as the words I want to use would get my comment deleted.— The_Unknown-Poster
- OTS - Occupy Tasco's Office!!!— michael_b
- it s the voter s fault for electing those bums,,, and re electing them again,,people in philly kept on complaining about those bums bur still going to the polls and vote them back in— hardball
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- it is truly unreal.— fishtown charlie
- Hey Dumbadelphians,
Vote these scumbags out!!— bpp1999 - We've been "Ackermaned" again. Nothing but grubs in positions where they can feed their insatiable greed for money at taxpayers expense. Corruption that goes on unchecked. If you vote these slugs in office, you are part of the problem. Time for "Philadelphia Spring".— dogman5
- As a NJ resident I understand the outrage. You hope your vote will help get the bums out but you are outnumbered by those who either do not care or are lifelong democrats/republicans and will never vote for the best candidate. I've come to the conclusion in my case that the only real solution is to leave. And that is a solution that is not easily accomplished.— DelawareRiverRat
- These people are dedicated public servants....they should get more money...along with all the first borns......— noelcoward
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- This story sure made my blood pressure shoot up. When are they going to outlaw this nonsense?— Jen D
- She should be fired. Then arrested for embezzlement.— Bruno Sammartino
- Where are the occupy $%#@holes when it comes to all this bull$%@#. People are venting their frustrations on the wrong thing. The private sector creates the jobs. The public sector creates greed and high taxes.— dewdad
- This is why the city is a financial disassster!!!! The idoits of the city voted her in... enjoy... I am out in 6 months. thank god. Oh and enjoy 4 more years of Nutter with no nuts.— UGHROLF
- I'd go protest her...but oh yeah I have to work to pay my bills. I'm an exempt city worker so God knows I can't afford, well, to do much of anything but work...— KYS24
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- Thank all those that voted for Tasco, as it would never have been possible without them.— Moving On
- Don't forget the Union Officials who also abused DROP by not retiring and coming back to the same jobs. Pete Matthews of DC 33, Cathy Scott, Rita Urwitz and Mike Walsh of DC 47 all collect pensions of 50K or more per year on top of their six-figure union salaries and six-figure DROP bonuses. All while their members start their 5th year without a raise and no new contract and their pay steps are frozen and they are paying more and more towards health care. These worthless, self-interested Union pig officials must be shown the door.— Serpico
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- We can't criticize this practice. We'll be Racists. It's okay them steal this city blind. It's okay to intimidate voters at the polls. It's okay to destroy a once great city. As long as its being done in the name of Obama and Eric Holder it's okay.— Joe Nickels
- "Tasco was reelected despite her participation in DROP" To the people that voted her back in. You'll get everything you deserve. No one to blame but yourselves.— Bruddah
- She screwed us fair and square.— tgood
- The DROP program has been destroyed by Philly politcians. It was intended to curtail monthly pension payments to civil servants (police and fire) after they retire. They only retire ONCE! But Philly started to "extend" the police and fire department leadership, allowed certain high ranking officers to stay after their drop had ended and then the politicians got involved and destroyed the DROP program altogether. Once again who suffers, besides the Philadelphia taxpayer of course, the civil servants suffer. The cops and firemen who this program was intended to benefit will lose this because of greedy politicians and poor leadership from the top. Two words for you...absolutely disgraceful!— BringBackSteveJeltz
- I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the people who voted for Councilwoman Tasco in the last elections. I know there are not too many out there, so I will also congratulate all the people able to vote who didn't even bother to miss a half hour of daytime TV and go out to vote. The combination of apathy and ignorance hnging over this city is costly. Just look at this latest proof.— DonQ
- Being rich does not discriminate by political party.
The only difference between the Repubs and Dems is that True Repubs are racist bigots.— OurCity2000 
Here piggy piggy. Souieee Souieee!! More public piggys feeding at the trough. Glad I moved out 22 years ago. Can't wait until I retire and stop paying these barnyard denizens.— Navyman- This greedy politician was re-elected by the people of Philadelphia. She is what the people wanted. Why so angry? Rich and greedy elected by poor and stupid. You go Marian!— Tim Henry
- Best retirement program I ever heard about! Where do I sign up? I could really use $400,000 now.— marckahn
- ran unopposed dee de dee— MFPhils
- Apparently there are some people that need to go back to school and take english 101. This includes all that are in the drop program and return. They don't know the meaning of irrevocable. For those who missed that class the meaning is binding, irreversible, final, unalterable, unchangeable, permanent, immutable, irretrievable, fixed, conclusive. What part do they not understand and why are they allowed to return?
— fed up in phila - Hey Occupiers... want a case for your cause? Right here! Oh wait, she's a Democrat...— mmds
- The lunatics are truly running the asylum.— 42Homestead
- I never heard of anything like this before. Does that mean when these people really do retire, they will get another payout?— kd45music
- Council jobs should only be part time to force these clowns to actually go out and work for a living. Then you'd see who is really interested in his or her constituents.— Bill E. Penn
- Shame on Tasco, and shame on the other council members who voted to keep this "perk" in place for themselves and their friends.— Hutch
- Sorry Philly. You deserve this because you keep electing these thieves. Just keep paying your taxes to fund this perk.— joeibt
- DROP the SHAME of PHILADELPHIA POLITICS!!!!!— Dadair1
- She is far from the first. The vast majority of those in the program retire, collect their $$$$ and then return to work in basically the same capacity, but they are classified as consultants.— intelliwoman
- As long as politicians can abuse this program, they will never do anything to change it. In a city that can not afford to pay it's workers, City Council has voted themselves a raise twice. However, no one has said a word about that!
— 2thru - I'm sorry but here I disagree. City workers are well paid, in effect overpaid, and they should be required to do give backs. They should be paying at least 15-20% of their health insurance premiums just like the rest of us, and all defined benefit pensions should be gone.replaced with 401k. — intelliwoman
- Why? Because you are a loser and are willing to accept less for your labor? You should be fighting for more not trying to knock others down to your level. You sound like one of those Occupy types, just because you are a loser doesn't mean others should work for the same low wages as you do. — ephraim
- are you all shocked about this. Whoever put this program in place should be investigated! How in your right mind appove something that could end up costing the taxpayers millions! It is always the same story of lawmakers/city workers getting advantage the everyday person does not get.— TS1958
- @joepir did you read the article???...."Mayor Nutter has tried in vain to eliminate the DROP program. In September, Council voted to override Nutter’s veto of a bill, sponsored by Tasco that would preserve the DROP program, while reducing its cost". I don't agree with a lot the Nutter either has or has not done but I give him credit for his effort to get rid of this %$#@ program.— CA through and through
- Given their job level, the amount collected is not out of line w industry.
That said, politics should not, ever be a permanent position or a career. That breeds complacency; corruption; inertia; lack of new ideas; and the urgency for change and betterment. Those in perpetual power want little to change because things are fine for them and their friends.
Our system was originally designed to check and balance power, but if the power itself never leaves, then it is simply checked (limited) but corrupt power.
Simply remove all incumbents no matter how effective, after 5 years. This can sidestep the "Citizen United" decision that allows corporations to fund the candidate that does their bidding. Refuse to elect those who advertise and you eliminate corporate money more effectively.
A revolution was fought on your behalf.
Take the City back.— darce1818 - usuals— raynesrock
- Philly gov is the laughing stock of the country.— dinsdale
- DROP is disgusting! And I don't live in Philly. Can't imagine how this "government" works!— phillyfan1230
- Joepir.... try re-reading the article. The mayor DIDN'T just let this happen. Per the article "Mayor Nutter has tried in vain to eliminate the DROP program. In September, Council voted to override Nutter’s veto of a bill, sponsored by Tasco that would preserve the DROP program, while reducing its cost.— cadet
The voters in Philadelphia are still drinking the Kool Aid. Either that or they are the most ignorant voters in the nation! Ed Rendell
got this city handed to him on a silver platter,thanks to the government handouts and wealthy campaign donors who wanted their
personal pet projects executed.He passed his legacy to John Street,who passed it on to Nutter. At least Fast Eddie and Street
never tried to camoflage their ruthlessness. Nutter, on the other
hand,has namby pambied his way thru his two terms. He supported Tasco and her bid to be Council President,even as he was blabbing his "outrage" at the misuse of the DROP program. Now he has the audacity to make his very weak committment to end DROP.He has relinquished ALL leadership and responsibility to the taxpayers of this town. But what the hey..he was a lame duck,before he was even reelected!- This is not only wrong, it is morally wrong. To allow somerhing like this at a time when people are losing their jobs is criminal in my opinion. These DROP laws need to be changed and changed quickly and then enforced retroactively.— fgomarty
- disgusting— jimmythec
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- thank fast Eddie Rendell for DROPing this on yous guys!— Anthony1957
- This is a disgrace! People wonder why there are huge budget deficits? This is one reason why! We cut school programs & cut nurses from schools but can afford to pay these people huge payment and then put them back on the payroll again!— avmjr
- Thanks Democrats! Nice work!— Bud Fox
- The fact that she is not ashamed to take this money while school nurses are losing their jobs says it all.— ChescoMom
- Reture?— Jeffy3
- I think these idiots have made a mockery of the DROP program. If you're an elected official you should not be included in the program. It was meant to allow the city to ready itself for losing Hard-Working employees not these city council SLUGS— jimmymac515
- The DROP program itself is not a bad program, it's the abuse of the elected officials who use loop holes to abuse this program. City Council has the authority to correct the loopholes which can say, "if you retire, you are officially retired and would have to be re-elected back into office. Doing the right thing is easier said than done.— PhillyMan
- THEY ARE ALL THE SAME TYPE OF PIGGIES FEEEDING FROM THE SAME HOG BARREL. THE CITY IS BROKE BUT THEY DON'T CARE. LET THEM GO, THE CITY IS NOT TOO FAR FROM BEING A " DETROIT" OF THE EAST COAST.— rduexpress
- THEY ARE ALL THE SAME TYPE OF PIGGIES FEEEDING FROM THE SAME HOG BARREL. THE CITY IS BROKE BUT THEY DON'T CARE. LET THEM GO, THE CITY IS NOT TOO FAR FROM BEING A " DETROIT" OF THE EAST COAST.— rduexpress
- philadelphia tax payers are like sheep, they just follow and pay and go bahhhhh. Like Sreet said the brothers and sisters run the city and soon they will be the only taxpayers in the city, if the whites are smart they will move out. There is no fixing it, it must go bankrupt and kill itself.— krautmef1
- When will the inky put up a more current pic of the drop queen tasco this pic is about 25 years old and doesnt really look loke the 80 year old old bag that the drop queen really is marion enjoy ur money u are now a nothing in council because u had to be a greedy old lady pig was it worth it— the commodore
- Politics is a dirty game.— DelcoSchmelco
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- Congratulations to those who allowed Tasco to be reelected!— omseeker
- Here are a couple of questions: 1) what is DROP? 2) why was it put in place? 3) under whose admin. did it
get passed?
Most of the time, the voter gets exactly what it votes for. For the majority of those who vote in Philly, they only vote for those who promise the most entitlements.— LRP/HHI - They re-elected Goode after 8 murders and the burning down of a city block. This is child's play. Let's elected Ackerman next.— boroughboy
- There is probably some corruption in the burbs, but not as professional as the city. The big difference is that voters in the suburbs don't usually return the crooks to offic once they are identified. The only hope for Philadelphia is the same as for Harrisburgh and that is a state takeover.— monster69
- This is just criminal. While most Philadelphians have struggled and done without to pay 3 tax increases in 3 years for political greed only, these people make out like bandits. Thanks--most of us tax payers now have to choose something else to do without to fork over more to the professional thieves in government.— crystalrainbowspirit1
- Disgusting. You Phila voters have no sense at all.— PhillySubsMac
- Another Democrat thief!
— Kaiser Sosa - Comment removed.
- Corrupt official needs to be voted out.— Yodude2
- AND WHO PAYS HER ..WE DO--COME ON MAYOR JUST STOP THIS SHAMEFUL PROGRAM--AND YOU WANT TO RAISE TAXES---NO WAY.. STOP THE INTERNAL STEALING FIRST!— carmen2
- Philadelphia is a disgusting national embarrassment. Whether it's on the streets, or in city hall, criminals have been allowed to run wild and further disgrace this once great American city and US capital. Now that a new majority runs the show things will only get worse. The more I travel to other cities in the world and see what it could be like, the more I yearn for a new start in Philadelphia...and for the country.— panteraatrox
- This is why i will never spend my money in the city!!I know others agree with me.The politics continue to get worse.Give the elected officials more money,and cut everyone elses benefits and pay.An even better reason not to do business in philly,So glad i moved to jersey!!! It just sucks for the poor because their choices are limited..— badandy08002
- Why would anything change?DROP is the proceeds of a 3.5% city wage tax on the suburbanites who commute in a work while residents enjoy outrageously low property taxes. It's not different than the DRPA, those paying the bills have no voice.— GiantsRule
- Look at Dr Lamont Hill, No matter what his people do wrong or are convicted of if they are his race they do no wrong. Who do you think voted her back in. The same people who supported Queen Arlene. For on reason only. Thank Goodness everyone doesn't think like that. Wrong doesn't come in colors.— dbilardz
Good job, Marion. Nice to take advantage of the city you serve. Legal, yes. Proper, no.
cc. People of Philadelphia. You elected her.— Ben Fan- hey pyle70 rizzo was a dem, but not sure what has to do with anything— eagleinflorida