Philadelphia City Council Schedules Neighborhood Hearings On City's Next Budget
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Earlier this week we told you about Mayor Nutter's pledge not to raise taxes in the new budget that he unveils next week (see related story).
Now, City Council has announced its plans for public hearings on that spending plan -- and they're taking it on the road.
Council has had budget hearings at neighborhood venues in past years, but this year for the first time the opening session of the process will be in the community.
"The reality is having people come down to City Hall during the course of the workday is somewhat challenging for a lot of people," says Council president Darrell Clarke, "so I think the most opportunities that we can make available for residents out in their actual communities is advantageous to them."
The lawmakers will launch what could be a difficult budget process with an opening session on Wednesday evening, March 14th, at St. John's AME Church in Southwest Philadelphia.
Clarke says more neighborhood hearings will be scheduled during the hearing process that will last through at least May.
