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.
