While POWER Interfaith was encouraged Mayor Cherelle Parker saw the need for new revenue in this year’s budget proposal, we are ultimately grateful Philadelphia City Council rejected the proposals that would have placed additional burdens on working families through regressive taxation.Nevertheless, Philadelphia is still left with an impending budget deficit. In POWER Interfaith’s recent report, we detailed the extent of loss of funding. Millions in federal grants have been lost, Pennsylvania is facing a $9 Billion deficit by 2029, and Philadelphia public schools need hundreds of millions of dollars just to survive next school year. This vote creates an opportunity and a responsibility.It is essential that our city leadership come up with long term revenue solutions. We urge City Council and Mayor Parker to pursue creative, bold, and equitable solutions to generate additional dollars our city needs while protecting the people who can least afford additional financial strain. The work of governing does not end when a budget is passed. It continues through the difficult task of building policies that fund our schools, invest in our neighborhoods, and create opportunity for all Philadelphians.POWER Interfaith remains ready to work alongside Mayor Cherelle Parker and Philadelphia City Council to advance revenue solutions that ensure our city is fully funded, and make Philadelphia a place where everyone can thrive.
In solidarity,
POWER Interfaith
