Councilman Opposes Breadth Of Sanctuary City Bill In State House
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh opposes a portion of a bill in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that would punish Philadelphia's sanctuary city status by potentially cutting off all state aid to the city.
Oh, talking to Dom Giordano on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, said State Representative Martina White's bill is too broad and wide reaching.
"I'm not against the whole bill. I have opposed every resolution supporting Mayor Kenney's sanctuary city. I personally don't believe in it. I don't think it's a good idea. I'm very pro-immigrant but I think sanctuary city is bad for Philadelphia. However, he is the mayor and he issued an executive order. I'm fine with the House Bill 1885, it's a State Representative, she is doing what she thinks is best. There is a portion I do disagree with very strongly and that is the portion that says that the State Treasurer is authorized to withhold all state funding from the city of Philadelphia."
He does not believe all state funds should be subject to this law.
"It's $2.7 billion annually that we receive. The point that I make is there are people are vehemently against sanctuary cities. There are people who love sanctuary cities and there's a lot of people, it's just not a priority for them. In our city, I don't know about elsewhere, but I think one of the issues is, people can agree on the bill and its purpose. However, I think you're going to lose people when you stop funding the police, the fire fighters, emergency medical, seniors with disabilities, kids with autism."