PhillyClout has learned that Mayor Nutter is planning a press conference for tomorrow afternoon., which will detail the catastrophic budget Philly will be forced to implement if Harrisburg doesn't approve the city's budget requests.
Nutter has asked state lawmakers to approve two budget items, a temporary 1 cent increase to the city sales tax and some changes to city payments into the pension fund. Without those approvals, the city must make up a $700 million gap over five years.
Sources tell PhillyClout that the list of cuts that the city is expected to discuss tomorrow, should Harrisburg not come through, includes layoffs of between 600 and 800 police officers and as many as 200 firefighters.
The plan also includes closing two health centers, shuttering most recreation centers and libraries and going to bi-weekly trash pickup. In total about 3,000 city workers would lose their jobs, from almost every department.*
We've asked the press office for comment on tomorrow's event. We'll update as we learn more.
5 p.m. - The press office has now sent out a release:
MEDIA ADVISORY
MAYOR NUTTER TO LEAD RALLY, URGING ACTION IN HARRISBURG ON CITY BUDGET PROPOSALS
WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutter
WHAT: Mayor Nutter will lead a rally tomorrow urging legislators in Harrisburg to take action on the City's proposals to increase the City sales tax and to make changes to pension payments. He will also outline in the greatest detail to date, the devastating consequences of Harrisburg not approving these proposals and failing to pass its own budget.
WHERE: City Hall courtyard (the rally will be held in the Mayor's Reception Room in the event of heavy rain)
WHEN: Thursday July 30, 2009 2:00 pm
* The post was updated to include this paragraph at 5:35 p.m.