City Budget
Yesterday, City Council heard public comments about a proposed increase in the parking tax. Mayor Nutter's proposal for a 30 percent parking tax hike would raise funds for hte Fairmount Park system.
By Peter Crimmins
 Listen Now [1 minute 13 seconds]
WHYY News, April 17, 2008
Addressing a crowd of about 200 in front of City Hall on Wednesday, Mayor Nutter was confident his proposal would win over City Council.
"There are those that say it's going to create a burden on Philadelphia and people from the suburbs," said Nutter. "In fact, no one is going to complain or be upset."
While nobody has complained too loudly yet, there are concerns in City Council that an increased parking tax will hurt downtown business traffic.
Robert Zuritsky of Parkway Corporation - which owns 52 parking lost in the city - said that the 15 percent tax on a day's parking rate is already the highest tax Philadelphian's pay. The bill would bump that up to 20 percent.
But the Westside Business Association is applauding this effort. The president of the association, Miller Parker, said a well-funded Fairmount Park system will be good for the economy.
"I represent businesses - we gotta have clearn, wholesome parks. We gotta take kids off the streets, give them something to do. The crime rate goes down. Everything changes," said Parker.
The Nutter bill will give the park system an initial $3 million raise, and increase their budget by 46 percent over the next 5 years.
|
