FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(PHILADELPHIA) February 2, 2012 – For the second week in a row, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown has introduced a bill to generate new, unconventional revenue streams for the School District of Philadelphia without raising property taxes. Her proposal allows for advertising on the side of Philadelphia school buses, with the revenue generated dedicated to the School District of Philadelphia. Much like the Extended Bar Hours legislation introduced last week, this bill is contingent on cooperation fromHarrisburg, as school buses are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The Councilwoman is working closely with legislators in the State Capitol and PennDOT to introduce the enabling legislation. “The idea for the bill came from our neighbors inNew Jersey, who passed similar legislation in 2011. Property owners have made it clear to City Council over the last 2 budget cycles that they are tapped out. To the extent that we can find new additional dollars for our schools without raising property taxes, I believe we owe it to our students and taxpayers to have that conversation,” said Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. The bill contains provisions which restrict certain types of advertising promoting alcohol, tobacco, sexual content or material that is political or campaign related. Along with the State of New Jersey,Philadelphia would join Arizona,Colorado,New Mexico,Tennessee,Texas and Utah in approving similar legislation. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown continues to explore and research additional revenue generating measures for the School District Philadelphia, stating “I intend to make this continued quest to identify nontraditional solutions for our schools a centerpiece of my work in this new term in City Council.”
For additional information please contact the Chief of Staff, David Forde at (215) 686-3438.
