Chamber Applauds Passage of City Budget Bill

Working together with the Nutter Administration, the Chamber achieved one of its highest priority goals last month with passage of state legislation necessary to resolve a $700 million deficit in the City of Philadelphia’s budget and avoid serious layoffs and service cuts.

Authorization from the General Assembly was required before local officials could implement a temporary increase in the local sales tax by 1% - effective October 8 - to pay for pension obligations, a change in the City’s pension amortization period and deferral of a portion of pension payments.

A $3.2 billion revenue shortfall proved challenging for Pennsylvania lawmakers and has stretched state budget deliberations into the fall. Throughout the process, GPCC urged consideration of priority recommendations by the Governor and legislators.

The Chamber will remain vigilant during these discussions and urge lawmakers to move toward final enactment of a sound state spending and tax plan.