The City Budget: Tight Times, Tough ChoicesA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY, THE MAYOR AND HIS CABINET

PhillyStat MeetingMarch 4, 2009Harris Sokoloff, director, Penn Project for Civic EngagementChris Satullo, executive director of news and civic dialogue, WHYY

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Inform participants Inform the city

The City Budget: Tight Times, Tough ChoicesGoals

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A joint initiative of WHYY and the Project for Civic Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania

The project is generously supported by

What isThe City Budget: Tight Times, Tough Choices

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The City Budget: Tight Times, Tough Choices

Activities

Four Workshops: February 12 — St. Dominic's School,

(Northeast); 450+ participants; 12 groups February 18 — Mastery Charter School

(Germantown); 420+ participants; 15 groups

February 19 — St. Monica's School, (South Philadelphia); 440+ participants ; 14 groups

February 23 — Pinn Memorial Baptist Church, (West Philadelphia); 400+ participants; 12 groups

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The City Budget: Tight Times, Tough ChoicesThe Workshop Structure

At each forum: Panel discussion with city officials Small group works – 20-25 people per

group Work through a list of more than 30 actions to

close a $200 million annual budget gap Differentiate “low hanging fruit,” “no way, no

how,” “shared pain” and “gut wrenchers” Individual input:

2 Minute video testimonies – 160+ Short written statements on “Wailing Wall” –

440+

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The City Budget: Tight Times, Tough Choices Participant Demographics

65% female 57% Anglo-White, 32%

African-American, 11% other minorities

Median Age: 36-45 Median Income: $40,000 -

$59,999

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Thematic Analysis

Focus on Increasing Revenue Distrust Vision Minimize Impact on the Most Vulnerable

Taxpayers Balance Prevention with Safety Minimize Impact on the Most Vulnerable Workers Overcome Inefficiencies Before Cutting Services Tackle Long-Range Issues Now, So They Don’t

Become Issues without End

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Theme: Focus on Increasing Revenue

In balancing the budget, increasing revenue is as useful as budget cuts We can’t declare a bunch of services off

limits without agreeing to tax ourselves to raise money for those services

Order of acceptable taxes Amusement and parking taxes Wage tax Sales and real estate taxes Trash fee

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Theme: Distrust

Distrust Of numbers Of workshop process Of how the input would be used

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Theme: Vision

Tell us the purpose behind the pain of these cuts and taxes.

How will Mayor Nutter’s vision be furthered by the budget measures?

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Theme: Minimize Impact on the Most Vulnerable Taxpayers

“No Way, No How” should we reduce or eliminate services for the most vulnerable in these hard economic times “Hey, I need the parks. If nothing else, if I lose

my job and my home, I can pitch a tent in the park and live there

“Health Centers are already overwhelmed with demand. With the economy, there will be even more.”

“Have you ever slept a night on the streets? I have. Everyone should have to have that experience before they vote on this idea.”

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Theme: Balance Prevention with Safety

Prevent crime by keeping youth engaged in productive activities.

Preserve police patrols so neighborhoods are safe.

Consider closing a prison by finding alternatives for non-violent offenders.

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Theme: Minimize Impact on the Most Vulnerable Workers

Civil service layoffs should be last resort “I heard he (Nutter) increased the mayor’s

office staff 20%. Is this necessary? Chief of staff? Who needs a chief of staff?”

Get rid of unnecessary expenses “This bit with Council members having their

own drivers is ridiculous. Why can’t they drive their own cars like everyone else?”

Leave vacant positions unfilled. Then freeze wages. Then periodic furloughs (unpaid time off). Only then layoffs.

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Theme:Overcome Inefficiencies Before Cutting Services

Root out inefficiencies and redundancies, improve the way services are provided and create alternative ways of meeting a service goal before you cut. Is it always necessary for EMS and fire

trucks to go out together? There should be a way to save money

at L&I without cutting restaurant inspections.

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Theme:Tackle Long-Range Issues Now

Frustration with narrow focus on FY 2010, need to discuss long term cost and revenue issues: Revising work processes for greater

effectiveness and efficiency PILOTs Tax Abatements Delinquent taxes and fees Ending business tax discounts for banks,

utilities, etc. First Judicial District Pensions and health care Row Offices

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ContactHarris J. Sokoloff, Ph.D.Director, Penn Project for Civic EngagementUniversity of Pennsylvania3440 Market Street, Suite 500Philadelphia, PA 19104215-898-7371harriss@gse.upenn.edu

Chris SatulloExecutive Director, News and Civic DialogueWHYYIndependence Mall West 150 N. 6th StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19106Tel: (215) 351-1200 csatullo@whyy.org