Mayor Nutter just told reporters he is concerned the budget plan up for consideration by City Council won't provide enough money to the embattled school district.
"For a school district that is struggling, those numbers are going in the wrong direction," Nutter said. "We certainly want to keep what is presently out there. Of course I would like to see more, because the district desperately needs those dollars. This is about the children."
It appears Council isn't likely to provide the $94 million Nutter requested for schools. Currently it looks like they'll offer $40 million or less and delay Nutter's proposed property tax overhaul by another year. Nutter said that could mean more cuts at schools.
Nutter also said he is not advocating against the tax relief Council is seeking in Harrisburg, to avoid potential appeals due to a ruling from the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB). And to reports that he's looking for state legislation that would allow a reopening of the budget in the fall to set new tax rates once the new assessments are available, he said it was a back-up idea being floated.
"That did not come from us, did not come from me, did not come from our administration," he said. "That would be more of a back up to protect the city if the STEB relief effort was ruled a legal nullity or ruled unconstitutional. You always in these circumstances need a back up plan."
Here's some video from that press conference: