After hours of negotiations, Philadelphia City Council agreed to provide the Philadelphia School District with $52.5 million. That's a far cry from the $102 million that superintendent Arlene Ackerman asked for.
According to reports, the district will receive $10 million from the general fund and $6 million from a $.50 increase in parking rates.
Parking in Center City will go from $2.00 an hour to $2.50 an hour. Parking in University City will go from $1.50 an hour to $2.00 an hour.
City Council also agreed to a 3.85% increase in property taxes for one year.
In all, $52.5 million will go to the district, which is facing a $630 million budget hole.
The Council rejected a proposed soda tax from Mayor Michael Nutter for the second year in a row. His plan called for a 2-cents-per ounce tax on soda to generate $60 million for schools and help prevent painful cuts.
Both supporters and opponents of Nutter's proposal filled the council's ornate chambers with signs bearing slogans such as “Say No to the Beverage Tax” and T-shirts reading “Philly Jobs Not Taxes.” Supporters of using the tax to support city schools chanted and sang in the hall outside the chambers.
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A final budget vote is expected to take place on June 23.
