Title
December 5, 2002
TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA:
I am returning herewith as disapproved Bill No. 020537-A, passed by the Council on November 21, 2002.
Council passed three inconsistent bills on that day -- the above-referenced bill, and Bill Nos. 020577 and 020579. Bill No. 020537-A and 020577, with some narrow exceptions, would effectively impose a "cap" on any real estate tax assessment increases for City tax purposes, regardless how much the value of a particular property may actually have increased. Bill No. 020537-A would impose a ten percent maximum on any assessment increases; Bill No. 020577 would impose a four percent maximum on any increase. Bill No. 020579 would authorize the Revenue Department to grant "deferrals" of any increase in real estate taxes due to an increase of more than fifteen percent in the assessed value of real estate. Bill No. 020537-A purports to be immediately effective. Bill No. 020579 would be immediately effective. Bill No. 020577 would be effective only upon the enactment of authorizing legislation by the General Assembly.
I am sensitive to the concerns of Philadelphians who are struggling in this hard economy, just as their governments are. They are fighting to balance their budgets, just as we fight to balance the City's budget. But we cannot help Philadelphians solve their problems by creating new ones. While our fiscal prudence over the past several years has put us in a much stronger position than most, we cannot jeopardize our city¹s fiscal health by embracing reckless new tax cuts that will blow a hole in our budget and cause enormous pain to Philadelphians who count on City support to help educate our kids and keep them safe after school, to revitalize our neighborhoods, and to keep our streets safe from crime and drugs.
The various tax bills now before me are inconsistent. Because I believe Bill No. 020579 represents the soundest ...
Click here for full text