Farnese Calls on Senate Republicans to Move Budget Forward
Also urges passage of bill stabilizing Philadelphia finances

August 7, 2009 – State Sen. Larry Farnese today called on the Senate Republicans to return to budget negotiations and quickly move legislation needed to help stabilize Philadelphia’s financial situation.   “We need to get a state budget done and we need to give Philadelphia the help it needs to help itself,” Farnese said.

City Council and Mayor Nutter are seeking authority from the state to raise the sales tax in Philadelphia to 8% and defer more than $200 million in pension contributions to balance the city’s finances.  A measure granting that authority, H.B.1828, passed the House of Representatives on August 5.  Sen. Farnese is a cosponsor of a companion bill in the Senate, S.B. 1058, authored by Sen. Shirley Kitchen.

Senate Republicans have said that no bill granting the city relief would be voted on until the entire state budget was resolved.  “There’s no reason to link the two issues together,” Farnese said, adding that the Republican characterization of H.B. 1828 as a “Philadelphia bailout” was just plain wrong.  “This is a plan laid out by Philadelphia's leaders that will only affect Philadelphians,”  Farnese said.  “There isn’t a dime of state money involved.” 

Farnese also believes there no reason legislators can’t take care of the state budget and Philadelphia relief at the same time.  “I think most people expect by now that we can and should do both,” said Farnese.