Who gets Philly parking perks?

When Mayor Nutter took office, he reduced the number of free parking spaces awarded to city employees and to politically connected local VIPs.

But a lucky few got to keep their free spots, even though they don't work for the city.

Michael Meehan, general counsel for the Republican City Committee, still parks for free in the 1500 block of Market Street.

He did not return a call seeking comment.

Democratic City Committee Chairman and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady nabbed a space, as did Elmer Brun, Charles Bernard, and Lou Farinella, who also work for the local party as aides to Brady.

Through a representative, they also declined comment.

What the Democrats won in numbers, they lost in charm. Meehan pulls up to a gorgeous view of City Hall, while the Democrats are relegated to the 1500 block of Moravian Street, which smells of the trash bins that populate it.

Former Democratic House Speaker Robert O'Donnell, whose license plate trumpets MRSPKR, also kept his free spot. He has a consulting contract with the City Controller's Office.

Maura Kennedy, a spokeswoman for Nutter, said a small number of people who did not work for the city were allowed to maintain their spots as a "courtesy."

The practice used to be far more common, she said.

Democratic City Committee workers used to get 10 spots, for example.

Overall, the Nutter administration cut free placards from 1,300 to 940.

Other noncity workers who continue to get placards include 225 members of the press, including 30 each at The Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. But that does not mean reporters get free parking every day. They compete for about 90 spaces throughout the city, not all of them in the coveted area near City Hall.

In contrast, city workers and political party representatives who get free permits are assured a spot.

The complimentary parking reduces parking-meter revenue and saves those who get it $3,500 to $4,500 yearly, based on a spot survey of prices at area lots.

The numbers may not be huge, but they could easily irk voters, who are increasingly sensitive to even the appearance of special favors, said Zack Stalberg, president of the watchdog group Committee of Seventy.

"For me, there is no sensible reason why any party official or any city official who doesn't have to go somewhere on a moment's notice needs a parking space," Stalberg said. "Clearly, the city is using this as a way to provide small favors for people."

Al Schmidt, a former candidate for city controller and frequent critic of Meehan and Brady, agreed.

"This is yet another example of the political class in our city taking care of themselves at our expense," he said.