Sen. Larry Farnese Joins Philadelphia Senators in Supporting Action to Keep City Afloat
Asks city officials to help send the right message to Harrisburg

July 30, 2009 - Senator Larry Farnese announced he is joining with other Philadelphia state senators to back new legislation that would give Mayor Michael Nutter the relief he says the city needs to pay vendors, avoid massive layoffs, and prevent cutbacks in important city services. At the same time, Farnese is asking the city to take action by eliminating the DROP program for elected officials in the future.

“If we’re going to get the support we need in Harrisburg, we need to send a message that everybody is going to have to share the pain.”

The mayor led a rally Thursday in Philadelphia urging Harrisburg lawmakers to approve legislation authorizing an increase in the Philadelphia sales tax to 8%, as well as changes to the city’s pension funding obligations. Sen. Farnese is cosponsoring Senate Bill 1058, authored by Sen. Shirley Kitchen, to address the mayor’s requests.

“We need to make sure that vital services such as police and fire protection continue without interruption, and that people are not put out of work,” Sen. Farnese said.

As the city struggles to balance its budget, legislators in Harrisburg are also trying to close the state’s $3 billion budget shortfall.

“We’ll need the support of legislators from around the state if we are going to get the relief the city wants,” said Farnese. “Right now, with the state’s budget problems, many of them are not convinced of Philadelphia’s plight.”

Farnese said the city could demonstrate its commitment toward reform by eliminating programs such as DROP, the Deferred Retirement Option Program, for elected officials in the future.

“Mayor Nutter announced Thursday that nearly 3,000 people could soon be out of work,” said Farnese. “I believe now is the time for City Council to show they’re willing to sacrifice too, and eliminate DROP.”

Farnese added that he would continue the fight in Harrisburg to save vital funding to Philadelphia and help with the mayor’s agenda.

“My fellow Senate colleagues in the Philadelphia delegation stand ready to follow the mayor’s lead in securing the relief in Harrisburg needed to keep Philadelphia a vibrant city,” said Farnese.

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