PHILADELPHIA – After City Council’s Committee of the Whole voted to advance the budget agreement negotiated between Council and Mayor Parker, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) issued the following statement:
“Tonight I proudly voted in support of a budget that puts City Hall to work for West and Southwest Philly! In total, we won nearly $60 million above the Mayor’s budget proposal for our communities.
“I am especially pleased that we won funding to build a new permanently affordable housing complex at the site of the former UC Townhomes. I look forward to welcoming back the working-class, Black and brown families that have called this place home since it was known as the Black Bottom. Many thanks to my partners in this fight, Minority Leader Kendra Brooks, Councilmember Rue Landau, and Minority Whip Nicolas O’Rourke.
“Our coalition also obtained $19 million more for rental assistance than the Mayor’s proposal and invested an additional $5 million in the Philadelphia Energy Authority’s Built to Last program. I am glad that City Council will enact a budget that uplifts working families at home and in the workplace.
“Through #JustServicesPHL, I have spent the past three budget cycles fighting for a significant investment in quality-of-life services like cleaning and greening. That’s why I could not be more excited that we have a mayor who recognizes the power of high-quality basic municipal services! I am glad that under Mayor Parker’s leadership, this budget boldly improves the City services that keep our neighborhoods safe, clean, and healthy!
“I also celebrate increased funding for several key priorities, including the Office of Homeless Services, 9-1-1 dispatch, Defender’s Association, the Zoo, Philadelphia Horticultural Society and the Philadelphia Orchard Project.
“As part of budget negotiations, we won support for my low-income property tax freeze. Homeownership is the foundation of the American dream. But dramatic property tax increases threaten to snatch generational wealth away from the Philadelphians who need it the most. With another round of property assessments just around the corner, we can now say that help is on the way!
“Thank you to Council President Johnson for his leadership throughout this process. The Council President, as well as Mayor Parker, should be very proud of enacting such a robust budget during the first year of his tenure.”
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