A Two Hundred Million Dollar Surplus - What Would You Do?
Happy days are here again. The City of Philadelphia, taxed to the limit, finds itself with a 200 million dollar surplus. This is good news, and with it comes a fantastic idea from the always energetic city councilman Jim Kenney. With the Mayor’s support, Kenney has proposed a rainy day fund. The Mayor supporting Jim Kenney is an amazing feat in itself.
Without question it is the best idea around.
But here are a few more to kick around.
Provide rebates to ticket holders for the Eagles who were forced to pay hefty ticket licenses for a new stadium that was paid for partially with taxpayer’s money.
Buy some more books for the cash strapped Free Library of Philadelphia . Get the library hours extended in the neighborhoods where those extra hours are needed.
Spend a few dollars to spruce up the airport. Perhaps some training on how to deal with travelers might be appropriate for grumpy airport employees.
Hire some more police officers and firefighters. The forces are underwhelmed with personnel and the murder rate is too high.
Put a little aside for Septa. Septa always comes asking for money.
Finance a study to see how many services can be shared with surrounding communities. ISN’T IT TIME FOR SOME REGIONAL COST SAVING AROUND HERE?
Provide free admission for a few days to all the major cultural attractions so that many people who can’t afford them get a chance to finally see what is there.
Just some ideas on what to do with 200 million dollars.
Of course, Jim Kenney’s idea for a rainy day fund is still the best. The way city government spends money, having a few bucks in the bank is a good thing.
But if that fails, what would you do with 200 million?
I like your ideas much better. A rainy day fund is all well and good, but certainly SOME of the funds would be better spent to imporve security, especially with the murder rate such as it is. And if they keep a tight hold over thoughtless and excessive spending, then each year there should be more to spend on schools and libraries and security and still more to put away for that rainly day.
My opinion would be to spend it on fighting crime. Have funding to protect witnesses who testify in court, install servailence cameras, and especially get more police patrol. I did not ever live in the city, but my best friend has. He was lucky enough to have moved out, but he has horror stories to last a lifetime of scary things that happened in his old neighborhood.
As a city resident I would like to see more money spent on recycling initiatives. Also more money for public health initiatives like parks, recreation centers, and co-op urban farming. Id like more money to be spent on college graduate retention programs, which I believe will help Philadelphia to build a stronger economy.
I just read the article on Philadelphia having the highest poverty level for states our size….No, but let’s SAVE the money!
What exactly is the Mayor’s and City Counsel’s definition of “rainy day”? I guarantee it will be vastly different from that of the taxpayer…
Since we paid it, we should get some benefit out of it, and creating another politically controlled slush fund does the people of this city no good.
Patricia:
Slush fund is a great description. I still like the idea of getting some more books for the libraries, and enhancing aid programs for children,
Thanks for writing.
Caroline and Sarah:
Recycling could save the city a fortune in the long run.
As far as saving the money: good point but maybe the funds will get caught up in some Councilman’s pet project.
I have little faith in Philadelphia City Council holding down costs.
May be we should save 100 million and spend the rest on kids and seniors
larry