Parents United statement on proposed education funds from City Council
This is a defining moment for public education in the City of Philadelphia. Never has so much been on the line – from thousands of essential jobs for Philadelphians to fundamental educational programs and services. In the past month, thousands of Philadelphians have marched at City Hall and lobbied City Council on behalf of supporting Philadelphia public schools and the children who attend them. Because of that we expected City Council to do everything possible to guarantee the maximum amount of school funds to the District – not to scoot by with the least they can get away with.
While we acknowledge the yeoman’s work some Council members have launched on behalf of Philadelphia public schools, the proposal announced today by City Council President Darrell Clarke is simply not enough. The cigarette tax still relies on Harrisburg approval. Delinquent taxes are not a source of emergency funding. Delinquent taxes are what we are due and in fact long overdue thanks to City’s lack of a real collections mechanism. Where is the school funding guarantee?
We are particularly disappointed that City Council refuses to issue a vote on the Use & Occupancy tax put forward by Council members Quinones-Sanchez and Reynolds-Brown, which was voted out of committee. The
While we acknowledge the yeoman’s work some Council members have launched on behalf of Philadelphia public schools, the proposal announced today by City Council President Darrell Clarke is simply not enough. The cigarette tax still relies on Harrisburg approval. Delinquent taxes are not a source of emergency funding. Delinquent taxes are what we are due and in fact long overdue thanks to City’s lack of a real collections mechanism. Where is the school funding guarantee?
We are particularly disappointed that City Council refuses to issue a vote on the Use & Occupancy tax put forward by Council members Quinones-Sanchez and Reynolds-Brown, which was voted out of committee. The
