Philadelphia

City Council Talks Philly's 5-Year Plan

Philadelphia City Council began hearing testimony Tuesday on Mayor Jim Kenney's first budget that asks for a soda tax to help fund initiatives like universal pre-K, rehab recreation centers and better-equip police and fire departments.

Tuesday's hearing deals specifically with the proposed five-year plan laid out by Kenney.

Mayor Jim Kenney told the city council earlier this month that his 3-cents-per-ounce tax on sugary beverages would provide $400 million to be split among several initiatives, including pre-K.

Kenney also wants $600 million to repair and reorganize city recreation centers, parks and libraries. He also wants $550,000 annually for five years to help pay for 800 police body cameras and two $50 million bonds to cover an energy efficiency campaign.

Kenney's proposed spending plan is $4.17 billion. That's $100 million more than last year's budget.

The budget in now in the hands of the city council, which has opposed similar sugary drinks taxes twice before.

Copyright The Associated Press
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