Advocates Want Philadelphia Taxicab Medallion Revenue Diverted For Schools
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Community leaders want to continue the dialogue, but they've already been told that the Philadelphia Parking Authority cannot divert a windfall of money to public schools and other causes.
The Parking Authority has received state permission to issue 150 new taxicab medallions, each of which could fetch $400,000.
Over a ten-year period, the sales proceeds could bring in more than $60 million, depending on the auction results.
The PPA points out that the enabling state legislation stipulates that all the proceeds must go to support taxicab operations in the city of Philadelphia.
But a coalition of community, education, and taxi interests wanted the proceeds from the sales to support Philadelphia public schools and families of taxicab drivers injured or killed on the job.
Today, at a monthly meeting of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Rosemarie Hatcher, president of the Philadelphia Home and School Council, told the board members:
"Although you don't have the power to change the law, you can use your influence. I'm quite sure that you all have plenty of influence."
Act 119 stipulates that the new medallions are to be sold in lots of 15 per year, for ten years, the first 15 of which must be for new vehicles accessible to people with disabilities.
The first medallion sales will be held in the spring or summer of 2014.
